Names on the List: Is yours on it?

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Choosing a baby name is a big decision, but some are becoming a thing of the past. A new report from BabyCenter reveals which ones are falling out of favor as Generation Beta begins.

The Decline of Classic Names

Names once associated with royalty—such as Catherine, Anne, Edward, Albert, and Phillip—are quickly losing popularity. Catherine, in particular, has dropped more than 200 spots on baby name lists.

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Once-Popular Names on the Decline

Monikers from the 1980s and 1990s are also fading. Jamie, once a favorite for girls, is now the fastest-falling moniker. Others losing traction include Katie, Remy, Liv, and Analia.

Even “millennial girl names” like Chelsea, Kelsey, Erin, and Alexis are slipping. Meanwhile, for boys, Jamal leads the pack as the most rapidly declining, followed by Esteban, Cannon, Emery, and Taylor.

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Nicknames Are Fading Too

Even short forms of popular names aren’t safe. “Liv,” a once-trendy nickname for Olivia, has dropped over 250 spots, while “Billy,” once common for William, has declined by more than 160 places.

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What’s Replacing These Names?

While some names are disappearing, others are thriving. Olivia, Amelia, Emma, Sophia, and Charlotte continue to dominate for girls. For boys, Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo remain top choices.

Meanwhile, new entries like Walker, Bennett, Adriel, Ember, and Oakley have cracked the top 100 for the first time.

Here are the top 10 for girls and boys that are quickly disappearing:

Girls:

Jamie
Katie
Remy
Liv
Analia
Karina
Belle
Erin
Bristol
Lilia

Boys:

Jamal
Esteban
Cannon
Emery
Taylor
Kareem
Idris
Camilo
Matthias
Danny

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Why do Names Fall out of Favor?

Baby names fall out of favor due to a mix of social influences, personal preferences, and the natural cycle of trends. According to research from Carnegie Mellon University, naming choices are shaped by two conflicting motivations: the desire to fit in and the desire to stand out.

When a name becomes too popular—like Ava or Emma—new parents may start avoiding it to prevent their child from blending in too much. At the same time, they don’t want to pick something too unusual. This creates a shifting cycle where once-popular names fade, and slightly different yet familiar names rise.

Parents compare their choices to people within their circles—family, friends, or even celebrities—leading to trends that evolve based on who they want to emulate or differentiate from. Names that feel tied to a specific time period, such as Jamie or Chelsea, may eventually seem outdated.

Ultimately, they don’t disappear overnight. They phase in and out, much like fashion or music trends. It’s a balance between uniqueness and tradition.

Names on the List: Is yours on it? was originally published on wibc.com