The Australian Football League (AFL) has witnessed a dramatic shift in player names over the decades. Once dominated by Steves, Stephens, and Stevens in the 1980s and 1990s, the league now sees only one remaining: Greater Western Sydney's Stephen Coniglio. This follows the shock retirement of Steven May from Melbourne before the season began, marking the end of a long downward trend since the early 1990s when more than 25 Steves took to the field.
The Rise of Jack and Other Modern Names
According to analysis from AFL Tables, the most common name in the AFL in 2026 is Jack, followed by Tom, Sam, and Lachlan. There are almost 30 Jacks in the league this year, a stark contrast to the handful that existed during the 1980s and 1990s. Just as with baby names across the broader population, AFL names appear to be cyclical.
This trend is reflected in a prominent AFL dynasty. Hall of Famer Stephen Silvagni played from the 1980s through early 2000s, during the peak of the Steve era. His son, Jack Silvagni, has been part of the boom in Jacks over the past decade.
Decline of 80s and 90s Favourites
Other names that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Mark, Peter, David, and Darren, are now relatively sparse. The question remains whether Scott Pendlebury will be the swansong for Scotts. The analysis normalized some commonly shortened names, such as combining Josh and Joshua, but this was not possible for all names.
The data includes only players who played at least one game during the season, as per AFL Tables. The shift in naming trends highlights broader cultural changes reflected in the league's demographics.
