Data for the baby names study is collected in the normal course of the enumeration of new applicants for Social Security numbers, most of whom are newborns whose parents elect at the hospital to have a Social Security number assigned at birth.  It is a negligible cost to make the listings of first names searchable by the public.

However, the inclusion of the most popular baby names on our Web site allows us to attract a public that would not ordinarily come to our Web site -- new or expectant parents.  Popular Web sites, http://www.babynameguide.com/, for example, link to the page and bring large numbers of visitors.  In a recent month, the page at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames/ received more than 300,000 visitors. 

Once on the page, Social Security has the opportunity to inform visitors of the process for applying for a Social Security number, what benefits may be payable if their child is born disabled, and to provide links to related information such as childproofing their home or getting immunizations for their newborn.  This allows the Social Security Administration to fulfill one of its missions - to educate the public on its programs and benefits.