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Does it seem like the names of your childhood friends are nowhere to be seen anymore? (There were five kids named Sarah in my sister’s kindergarten class!) You might be right; names come and go in popularity, and according to recent data from the BabyCenter, a new set of names seem to be rapidly falling in popularity.
Names that are going out of style
One group of names that seem to be out? Royal names. Catherine, Anne, Phillip, Albert and Edward are all names of recent British royals, and all are falling in popularity. There is also a decline in popular millennial names, including Erin, Chelsea, Kendra and Taylor.
So if you are looking for a baby name that won’t cause 10 kids to turn around when you call, these might be just the thing. According to data from BabyCenter and PeopleFinder.info, here are the names with the biggest decline in popularity from 2023–24:
Girl names:
- Jamie (down 320 spots)
- Remy (down 292)
- Katie (down 287)
- Liv (down 257)
- Analia (down 246)
- Karina (down 243)
- Erin (down 241)
- Belle (down 235)
- Bristol (down 230)
- Lilia (down 230)
Boy names:
- Jamal (down 433)
- Esteban (down 283)
- Cannon (down 268)
- Taylor (down 238)
- Emery (down 200)
- Kareem (down 193)
- Idris (down 187)
- Camilo (down 185)
- Matthias (down 179)
- Danny (down 175)
What’s behind the trends?
There have always been a lot of factors that impact name popularity.
“Names like Jamie, Katie and Jamal were staples a generation ago, but they’re now losing ground fast,” explains Hailey Morgan, data expert and marketing specialist at PeopleFinder.info. “This shift reflects broader naming patterns — parents today are opting for names that feel more unique, modern or culturally fresh.”
But a new influence might be playing a role now too: social media.
“Today’s parents are exposed to thousands of name options on TikTok, Instagram and baby apps. They want something distinctive but not too offbeat,” says Morgan. “That puts once-safe names like Danny or Erin at a disadvantage.”
But keep this in mind: Naming is cyclical. What seems extinct today may blossom again tomorrow — or be replaced by the next wave of cultural influences. And hey, if your name’s on the way out, at least you’ll always be able to find your novelty keychain or mini license plate at the souvenir shop!
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