Babies Named Chase Make Rebound as Actual Chase Doesn't

Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, we found out that Chase is a disproportionately popular baby name in Pennsylvania against the national numbers. It makes sense. Even if people aren’t naming their kids after Chase Utley, they’re exposed to the name. But since 2009 — the name’s natural peak in the wake of the WFC — Chase has been steadily dropping in numbers. From a peak of almost 700 baby Chases in PA in 2009, there were only 401 in 2013. But this year, unlike on the field, Chase bounced back:

2008 – 574
2009 – 668
2010 – 581
2011 – 520
2012 – 454
2013 – 401
2014 – 436

It’s a small growth (and doesn’t play into percentages at all), but it’s nice to see it make a little comeback. Maybe people saw the light at the end of Utley’s tunnel and decided to honor the guy. And as for the other popular Phillies name, Cole, that made a little comeback as well:

2008 – 374
2009 – 407
2010 – 301
2011 – 228
2012 – 241
2013 – 218
2014 – 231

Unsurprisingly, Ryne and Ruben both missed the top 100.