Counterfactual
The Parallel Lives of Ruth and Carol
In 1,781 girls, Ruth found its level. 50 years earlier, Carol occupied that same statistical address.
1880–2025
Ruth
Peak year
1920
Peak births
26,102
Latest count
1,781
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Greatest Generation
1880–2025
Carol
Peak year
1946
Peak births
34,284
Latest count
82
Status
Endangered
Peak generation
Boomer
In 1,781 girls, Ruth found its level. 50 years earlier, Carol occupied that same address. One peaked in the Boomer era; the other in the Greatest Generation world. They never met. But the data remembers them both.