If you need proof...

...as to the sorry state of affairs today, take a look at this.

http://www.ssa.gov

Go to the most popular names for 2004 at the left. Then look at the longer list.

Please note that Carl is 369. It has been in constant decline for over 20 years. Also note some of the names ahead of it: Mekhi at 346, Axel at 325 (is this a tribute to Guns 'N Roses?), Kayden at 318 and Kaiden at 309 and Cayden at 263 and Kaden at 105 (I presume these are pronounced identically), Zander at 278, Jaxon at 266, Chance at 252, Kai at 248, and Dawson at 206.