The Most Popular Nursery Rhyme in America, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the nursery rhyme you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:45
Parents often find themselves humming the catchy tunes of nursery rhymes while they play with their little ones. Knowing which rhymes are most beloved can help in selecting books or playlists that children are likely to enjoy. This insight becomes particularly valuable when considering the vast number of choices available to modern parents.
By casting your vote on this list, you contribute to a broader understanding of popular culture among children. This also assists educators and content creators in identifying which nursery rhymes hold the greatest appeal. Your participation ensures that the rankings reflect current preferences, helping others make informed decisions.
What Is the Most Popular Nursery Rhyme in America?
-
140votes
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Jane TaylorThis classic nursery rhyme has been around for over 200 years and is loved by children all over the world. It's easy to learn and sing, making it a favorite among parents and teachers.Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star is a timeless lullaby that has captivated children and parents alike for generations. It is a simple, soothing melody that is often sung to help young children fall asleep. The lyrics depict a star shining brightly in the night sky and bring a sense of comfort and tranquility.- Genre: Children's Song
- Publication Year: 1806
- Melody: Simple and repetitive
- Lyrics: Little star, how I wonder what you are
- Popularity: Widely known and sung
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful lullaby
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular children's song right now
-
227votesThis catchy tune and fingerplay is a favorite among young children. It's a fun way to teach children about spiders and their movements.The Itsy Bitsy Spider is a popular nursery rhyme for children. It tells the story of a small spider's adventures as it climbs up a water spout, gets washed down by rain, and eventually climbs up again. The song is filled with simple and repetitive lyrics that are easy for young children to learn and sing along to.
- Type: Nursery rhyme
- Language: English
- Origin: Unknown (Traditional)
- Publication Year: Early 20th century
- Musical Style: Children's song
The Itsy Bitsy Spider in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular children's song right now
-
317votes
Popular Graphic Arts · Public domainMary Had a Little Lamb
Sarah Josepha HaleThis popular nursery rhyme is based on a true story about a young girl named Mary Sawyer, who brought her lamb to school. It's a fun way to teach children about farm animals and the importance of kindness.Mary Had a Little Lamb is a popular nursery rhyme that tells the story of a young girl named Mary and her pet lamb. The rhyme describes Mary's lamb following her everywhere she goes, even to school, which ultimately causes a commotion among the students.- Composition date: 1830s
- First publication: 1830
- Genre: Nursery rhyme
- Melody: Traditional
- Lyrics: Traditional
-
416votesThis classic nursery rhyme is loved by children all over the world. It's a fun way to teach children about different farm animals and the sounds they make.Old MacDonald Had a Farm is a traditional nursery rhyme and children's song that tells the story of a farmer named Old MacDonald and the animals on his farm. The song follows a repetitive structure where the verse starts with 'Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,' and each subsequent verse introduces a new animal and the sound it makes. The lyrics are usually accompanied by gestures or actions related to each animal mentioned.
- Genre: Children's song
- Origin: Unknown, traditional
- First recorded: 1920s
- Popularized by: American folk music revival
- Lyrics language: English
Old MacDonald Had a Farm in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular children's song right now
-
515votes
Angr · Public domainThis traditional nursery rhyme is believed to be over 600 years old. It's a fun way to teach children about history and architecture.London Bridge Is Falling Down is a traditional nursery rhyme that originated in the United Kingdom and has since become popular in America. It is a song and game involving a bridge collapsing and the subsequent attempt to rebuild it.- Year of Origin: Unknown (possibly as early as the 17th century)
- Language: English
- Genre: Nursery rhyme
- Theme: Bridge collapse and rebuilding
- Melody: Simple and repetitive
-
617votesThis popular nursery rhyme is a fun way to teach children about the consequences of being reckless. It's also a great way to teach children about the importance of taking care of themselves.Humpty Dumpty is a popular nursery rhyme in America that tells the story of an anthropomorphic egg named Humpty Dumpty who has a great fall from a wall. The rhyme captures the futile attempts of all the king's horses and all the king's men to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
- Origin: The earliest known version of the Humpty Dumpty rhyme dates back to its publication in Samuel Arnold's 'Juvenile Amusements' in 1797.
- Rhyme Structure: Humpty Dumpty is a quatrain with four lines of rhymed verse where the second and fourth lines share a common end rhyme.
- Theme: The central theme of Humpty Dumpty is the vulnerability and fragility of a person who once broken, is nearly impossible to repair.
- Symbolism: Humpty Dumpty is often interpreted as a metaphor for the downfall of a person in power or high position, and the inability to undo the damage once it has been done.
- Popularity: Humpty Dumpty is one of the most well-known and widely recited nursery rhymes in America.
-
710votes
Ksd5 · CC0This classic nursery rhyme is loved by children all over the world. It's a fun way to teach children about different colors and the importance of sharing. -
87votes
Walter Crane · Public domainThis fun nursery rhyme is a great way to teach children about time and how to tell time on a clock.Hickory Dickory Dock is a popular nursery rhyme in America that tells the story of a mouse running up and down a clock. The rhyme incorporates counting and teaches children about the concept of time.- Publication Year: 1765
- First Recorded Version: 1805
- Length: 4 stanzas
- Theme: Counting, Time
- Rhyme Scheme: AABB
-
99votesThis popular nursery rhyme is a fun way to teach children about the importance of teamwork and helping each other.Jack and Jill is a well-known nursery rhyme in America that tells the story of two children who went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. However, they both tumbled down and got injured in the process.
- Origin: Unknown, believed to have roots in 18th-century England
- Popularization: Commonly sung and recited in America
- Lyrics: Simple and repetitive lyrics
- Theme: Adventure, mishap, and consequences
- Moral: Cautionary tale about being careful and the repercussions of careless actions
-
102votes
Mysid · CC0This classic nursery rhyme is loved by children all over the world. It's a fun way to teach children about teamwork and the importance of working together.Row, Row, Row Your Boat is a well-known nursery rhyme and children's song. It is a fun and interactive song that encourages participation and movement. The song is often sung in a round, with multiple groups starting at different times to create a harmonious effect. It has a simple and catchy melody that is easy for children to learn and sing along to. The lyrics of the song convey the message of enjoying the journey of life and working together. It is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by generations of children.- Style: Traditional
- Target Age: Toddlers and young children
- Popularity: High
- Interactivity: Encourages participation and movement
- Genre: Nursery Rhyme
Missing your favorite nursery rhyme?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular nursery rhyme
-
Historical and cultural significanceThe nursery rhyme should have a strong association with American history and culture. It should have been prevalent for many generations and passed down through families.
-
Popularity and ubiquityThe nursery rhyme should have a high level of recognition and familiarity among the general public, both children and adults.
-
Frequency of useThe nursery rhyme should be frequently used, read, and sung by current generations in various settings, such as classrooms, libraries, and homes.
-
Appeal to childrenThe nursery rhyme should be engaging and entertaining for young children to read, listen to, and enjoy.
-
Catchiness and memorabilityThe nursery rhyme should have a strong tune, rhythm, and/or rhyme that makes it easy for children to remember and sing along with.
-
Adaptability and versatilityThe nursery rhyme should have the ability to be used in various media formats, such as books, music, and videos. It should also lend itself to various adaptations, like fingerplays, puppets, and games.
-
Educational valueThe nursery rhyme should have the potential to teach children important concepts, values, and skills, such as language development, counting, or social skills.
-
LongevityThe nursery rhyme should be able to withstand the test of time and remain popular among generations for years to come.
-
Representation in popular cultureThe nursery rhyme should be well-represented in various forms of popular culture, such as movies, television shows, and merchandise.
-
Positive and appropriate contentThe nursery rhyme should convey age-appropriate themes and messages that are suitable and beneficial for young children.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular nursery rhyme in America. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or nursery rhyme is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1646 views
- 158 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each nursery rhyme once every 24 hours. The rank of each nursery rhyme is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular nursery rhyme in america
Nursery rhymes have been a part of American culture for generations, passed down from parents to children as a way to teach language skills, entertain, and share cultural traditions. These simple and catchy tunes have become a staple in many households, with parents and children alike singing along to popular rhymes such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb." But with so many nursery rhymes out there, which one is the most beloved in America? This is the question we set out to answer with our latest StrawPoll. Through the participation of thousands of people across the country, we were able to determine which nursery rhyme reigns supreme as the most popular in America. So, without further ado, let's dive into the results and discover which familiar tune took the top spot!
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
