Counterfactual

The Parallel Lives of Alex and Ernest

In 1,515 boys, Alex found its level. 50 years earlier, Ernest occupied that same statistical address.

1880–2025

Alex

peak 1993 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1993
Peak births 7,639
Latest count 1,515
Status Declining
Peak generation Millennial
1880–2025

Ernest

peak 1921 2025 18801900192019401960198020002020
Peak year 1921
Peak births 5,697
Latest count 213
Status Endangered
Peak generation Greatest Generation
In 1,515 boys, Alex found its level. 50 years earlier, Ernest occupied that same address. One peaked in the Greatest Generation era; the other in the Millennial world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.