Counterfactual
The Parallel Lives of Pharaoh and Merle
In 73 boys, Pharaoh found its level. 50 years earlier, Merle occupied that same statistical address.
1979–2025
Pharaoh
Peak year
2019
Peak births
203
Latest count
73
Status
Declining
Peak generation
Gen Alpha
1880–2025
Merle
Peak year
1925
Peak births
836
Latest count
33
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Greatest Generation
In 73 boys, Pharaoh found its level. 50 years earlier, Merle 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.