The Social Security Administration released a list of most popular baby names showing key differences in attitudes toward boys and girls. Among males, all five top names were Biblical – Jacob, Michael, Ethan, Joshua and Daniel. Among girls, none of the top five came from the Bible – Emily, Isabella, Emma, Ava and Madison. This contrasting approach reflects the emphasis on males as transmitters of tradition. In Biblical Hebrew the word for “male” – zachar – is the same word that’s used for “remember.” In virtually every society, the family name is passed down through the male line, and we take extra effort to prepare sometimes wayward sons to bridge past and future. Selecting sturdy names of Bible heroes is part of that process –instead of female names emphasizing trendiness and freshness. In truth, every society needs its Jacobs and Daniels, as well as Isabellas and Madisons.