The landscape of baby naming in England and Wales is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with names that were classroom staples in the 1970s rapidly falling out of favour with today's new parents.
Analysing historic top 100 lists against the latest Office for National Statistics data, baby essentials experts For Your Little One have pinpointed the seismic shift in parental preferences over the last fifty years.
The Endangered Names of Yesteryear
For boys, the decline is stark. Nigel, which held a respectable position at number 55 in 1974, is now a rarity without a modern celebrity to champion it. Similarly, Gary, a post-war staple sitting at number 30 fifty years ago, has been eclipsed by contemporary tastes for softer vowels and slick, surname-style choices like Hunter and Harrison.
The name Keith, described as 'clipped' and old-school, is also retreating. It was a steady, sensible choice at number 53 in 1974 but feels out of step with today's breezier picks. Barry, once a chart-friendly name at number 48, has been sadly overshadowed by the massive revival of the phonetically similar Harry.
Completing the list of fading male names is Trevor. At number 76 in 1974, it represented rugged reliability but has since been overtaken by sprightlier 'T' names and their diminutives.
Where Have All the Girls' Names Gone?
The shift is equally pronounced for girls' names. Sharon, a veritable headline act of the 1970s at number 17, now evokes nostalgia rather than new birth registrations.
Perhaps the most notable casualty is Karen. Once peak mainstream at number 10 in 1974, it has been pushed to historic lows, burdened by modern meme culture and shifting fashion cycles.
Tracey and Tracy, occupying spots 26 and 27 respectively in 1974, represent a textbook 'boom-and-bust' story. Their decline is mirrored by Linda (number 76 in 1974), which has been utterly overtaken by contemporary 'L' favourites like Lily, Luna, and Lyla.
Even the festive Carol, at number 84 in 1974, is now a name heard primarily in December carols, not on modern baby name shortlists.
The New Guard: What's In for 2024?
So what are parents choosing instead? The data reveals a clear move towards surname-style names for boys. Meanwhile, for girls, names ending in the letter 'a', such as the perennially popular Olivia and Amelia, continue to dominate.
The research also highlights how fickle fashion can be. A name like Nova, which sparkled with excitement last year, has already begun to dim in 2024. Similarly, while Lily remains a firm favourite, its alternative spelling, Lilly (with two 'L's), is being used less often.
This analysis proves that baby names are more than just labels; they are a fascinating reflection of our changing culture, tastes, and times.
