Counterfactual
The Parallel Lives of Esme and Frances
In 1,032 girls, Esme found its level. 50 years earlier, Frances occupied that same statistical address.
1913–2025
Esme
Peak year
2022
Peak births
1,053
Latest count
1,032
Status
Rising
Peak generation
Gen Alpha
1880–2025
Frances
Peak year
1918
Peak births
16,132
Latest count
960
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Greatest Generation
In 1,032 girls, Esme found its level. 50 years earlier, Frances occupied that same address. One peaked in the Greatest Generation era; the other in the Gen Alpha world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.