Parents were quite independent in naming Lewiston-Clarkston region babies in the past year.

The popularity winners, each for a first time: Jace for boys and Evelyn for girls.

How does that demonstrate independence? Jace is only the 68th most popular boy name in the U.S., 27th in Idaho and 69th in Washington. Evelyn ranks higher, 16th in the U.S., ninth in Idaho and 10th in Washington.

Jace (also spelled Jase) and Evelyn (also spelled Evelynn and Evilynn) came out tops in the 23rd annual Tribune Stork Report. The tabulation of baby names is through mid-year 2015 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

Jace succeeds Owen, the 2014 winner, and Evelyn succeeds Hailey, most popular a year ago.

In second place were a half-dozen boys' names: Bentley (only No. 89 in the U.S.), Liam (No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Idaho), Oliver (No. 32 in the U.S.), Sawyer (not in the U.S. top 100), Landon (No. 43 in the U.S.) and Noah (No. 1 in the U.S., 12th in Idaho and fourth in Washington).

Runner-up for girls? It was Emma, No. 1 in the U.S. and Idaho, and second to Olivia in Washington.

Third most popular among boys were Austin, Blake, Dakota, Gunner, Isaac, River, Richard, Silas and William. For girls, the third most popular was a tie of Harper and Paisley.

The Head Stork, in addition to watching the popularity, also annually enjoys the ingenuity in naming.

The favorites in 2014-15? For girls, it was the baby boy named River Lightning. For girls, it was Su'a Jet. Dandies.

Ingenuity was also displayed with these eight boys' names: Aavereen, Athryn, Alatalo, Cwinn, Odysseus, Quanah, Roxas and Ta'amsas. For girls, it was for these nine: Aijeleth, Annmarieona, Ishtar, Jonquil, M'Kerra, Orianthi, Onyxee, Quinney and Xa'clle.

Unique spelling was also appreciated by the Head Stork - like Emersyn for Emerson, Harmonee for Harmony, Kyhlee for Kylie and Paetyn for Payton.

Common names for both boys and girls were Avery, Blake, Bailey, Leighton, Parker and River.

Another of the Stork's favorites is names that describe our beautiful Inland Northwest.

For boys, it was Colton, Colt, Christian, Legend, Maverick, Ridge and Tuff. Girls included Azalea, Autumn, Dahlia, Montana, Summer, Sage and Serenity.

We welcome one baby girl named Nevaeh, heaven spelled backward. That's always pleasing (and is the 65th most popular name in the U.S., 39th in Idaho and 76th in Washington). Close to Nevaeh's spelling were Naveah and Navaeh.

A welcome to the first baby of the year at St. Joe's? Welcome Natalie Grace Picard, daughter of Megan and Christopher Picard of Lewiston.

The Head Stork is mystified by a fifth consecutive year to have more boys than girls born, 359 (53.3 percent) vs. 315 girls (46.7 percent). How can that be? Isn't it a flip of the coin, and this coming up heads five years in a row?

No, apparently not. In the U.S., more boys than girls have been born for 63 straight years. Go figure.

And one more excitement for the Head Stork. Eight sets of twins were born, the third most in the past 23 years, with nine sets born a year ago and in 2007.

Welcome to these eight sets of twins, in order of joining us: Ozzie Dee and Lola Raye Cox of Lewiston, Zeta Dawn and Ari Jolyn Martin of Clarkston, Trent Mario and Logan Joseph Negrete of Clarkston, Adalyn Lee and Brielle Marie Nuxoll of Clarkston, Samuel Levi and Michael Liam Lively of Lewiston, Bentley Zachary and Bailey Jas Irby of Asotin, Chloey Elizabeth Raine and Gunner Darrell Boston Clauch of Clarkston and Rose Sue and Grace Lynn Harris of Peck.

Yes, twins are precious.

The Stork rests.

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Alford is president of Tribune Publishing, the parent company of the Lewiston Tribune. He may be contacted at alajr@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2250.