Counterfactual
The Parallel Lives of Erma and Hailey
In 24 girls, Erma found its level. 50 years earlier, Hailey occupied that same statistical address.
1880–2025
Erma
Peak year
1920
Peak births
1,529
Latest count
24
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Greatest Generation
1963–2025
Hailey
Peak year
2003
Peak births
8,798
Latest count
2,556
Status
Declining
Peak generation
Gen Z
In 24 girls, Erma found its level. 50 years earlier, Hailey occupied that same address. One peaked in the Gen Z era; the other in the Greatest Generation world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.