Noah is "trendy" the way Joshua was.
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?terms=noah+joshuaJoshua, look at it go. These names may both be popular for a while yet. BUT, do compare the "percent" to the "rank" versions of the chart. Joshua's real spike is over, even though it climbs the charts still. And Noah hasn't even come close to the frequency of Joshua at Joshua's peak... the frequency of Noahs in life, unless you live in a particularly Noah-heavy area, will not be that high. People are naming boys more different names all the time, and a high rank on the chart means less than ever. It's not like he'll ever feel his name is common the way a Michael does today.
- mirfak