20 Baby Names Fading from Favour: The Once-Popular Monikers Parents Now Avoid
Names drift in and out of vogue, and several once-beloved monikers are now teetering on the edge of obscurity. Selecting a name for your little one is an enormously significant choice with enduring consequences, yet the landscape of popular names is constantly shifting.
Whilst certain names, like Olivia, remain timeless favourites – sitting in the top three girls' names consistently since 2006 – others are gradually slipping from favour. Prashant, a naming specialist from gifting site Personalisedbee, has offered insight into why certain names are losing ground.
Why Names Fall Out of Fashion
Prashant explains: "Names are a lot like trends in fashion or home décor. They can rise quickly when they feel fresh or modern, but just as fast, they can fall out of favour as parents hunt for something new and unique.
That's why names like Brody, Mason, and Toby are falling out of favour. They were popular a few years ago, and now parents are moving toward options that feel more current or timeless." This dynamic highlights how parental preferences evolve, often seeking distinctiveness or classic appeal over recent trends.
The Top Three Boys' Names Falling in Popularity
Brody, Mason and Toby are the three boys' names most at risk of vanishing. Brody has plummeted 17 spots in 12 months, tumbling from 82nd to 99th in the rankings.
With just 553 babies christened with the name in 2024, down from 630 in 2023, this dramatic decline makes it the year's biggest faller and hints that Brody might vanish from the top 100 entirely before long.
Meanwhile, Mason was bestowed upon 1,118 babies in 2023, but only 806 received this name in 2024. And the previously enduring name Toby dropped from 678 babies in 2023 to 621 in 2024, signalling a steady decline.
The Top Three Girls' Names Falling in Popularity
Jessica, Lola, and Scarlett lead the charge of girls' names facing potential oblivion. The moniker Jessica was bestowed upon 573 newborns in 2023, dropping to 483 in 2024, indicating this former go-to choice is gradually slipping from favour.
Similarly, 595 little ones were christened Lola in 2023, sliding to 543 in 2024, while Scarlett tumbled from 634 babies in 2023 down to 610 in 2024. These shifts reveal that both timeless girls' names and trendy, contemporary picks can suddenly tumble out of fashion.
Full List of Declining Names
Top 10 boys' names falling in popularity:
- Brody
- Mason
- Toby
- Logan
- Joshua
- Leon
- Elliot
- Ralph
- Ellis
- Bobby
Top 10 girls' names falling in popularity:
- Jessica
- Lola
- Scarlett
- Imogen
- Ellie
- Eliza
- Eva
- Sophie
- Eleanor
- Erin
This comprehensive list underscores the fluid nature of naming trends, with once-popular choices now being avoided by parents in favour of newer or more enduring options. As societal tastes change, these names may continue to fade, making way for the next generation of popular monikers.
