Naming traditions have changed a lot over the last century. Some classic baby names have survived, while others have disappeared entirely! To observe this trend, we’ve compiled 10 baby names you rarely hear anymore, as well as 10 overused ones.
Bruce
Despite being the name of two of the most popular superheroes, Batman and the Hulk, Bruce is a name you rarely hear used for baby boys anymore. According to Nameberry, it peaked in popularity in the US in the 1940s and 50s but ranked at 563rd place out of 1000 in 2022.
Oliver
Oliver is a classic name that has benefited from modern favoritism. It has eclipsed other old-fashioned male names and become a popular name for boys. The trendy nickname Ollie has aided its contemporary appeal. However, it’s now so overused that many parents are now thinking twice about choosing it.
Josephine
While the male name Joseph has managed to stand the test of time, Josephine hasn’t been so lucky. It has been criticized for being old-fashioned and has been left behind while other classic female names, like Elizabeth and Charlotte, have been reclaimed. Even the shortened version Josie is rarely used anymore.
Madison
Madison is a pretty name, which is probably why it’s become so overused over the past decade. It was launched to mainstream popularity in 1984 when the film ‘Splash’ was released, featuring Daryl Hannah as a mermaid named Madison. Modern parents have continued overusing the name Madison ever since.
Julius
Everybody will recognize the name Julius thanks to the historical Roman general Julius Caesar, but you’ll rarely hear it used as a baby name. The name Julian, a shortened form of the Julius derivative Julianus, is more widely used, leaving Julius to slowly die out.
Bridget
Despite its gorgeous Irish origins, meaning ‘strength’, Bridget is a name you’ll more often hear belonging to older women. It’s a lot rarer as a modern baby name. This may be because there are no modern pop culture references to associate it with, so many new parents have forgotten it.
Lily
Lily is now one of the most overused flower baby names in the US, but its spike in popularity is relatively recent. Verywell Family explains that Lily benefited from the early 2000s love for nature names and has continued to grow in popularity. It’s now one of the most overused flower girl names.
Isaiah
Isaiah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning ‘salvation of the Lord,’ but it hasn’t become a popular baby name in modern times. Where other biblical names, like Noah, Gabriel, and Elijah, are still used frequently, Isaiah was popular for thousands of years before declining in recent decades.
James
James is one of the US’ favorite male baby names, consistently found among the top 10 or 20 names for boys. It has even started to grow as a popular name for girls, likely due to Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively naming their daughter James in 2014. As a result, it’s become overused.
Edith
Edith is an undeniably elegant name, but it’s much more dated than other older female names. Behind the Name tracks its peak popularity in the US all the way back to the late 1800s, where it has steeply declined since, ranking 513th in 2022. Even the sweet nickname Edie can’t make it more mainstream.
Isla
Isla is similarly elegant, but unlike Edith, it’s been a massive hit with new parents nowadays. Short, sweet female names that end in ‘A’ are usually well-liked, but Isla has skyrocketed up the baby name charts over the past decade, so much so that it’s gone from underrated to overrated.
Griffin
Griffin is a majestic male name meaning ‘prince’ or ‘lord,’ but its regal origins haven’t helped increase its popularity in the US. It’s slightly more used in the UK, but still not enough to be considered a mainstream baby name. It’s a shame that such a timeless name has become so rare.
Jack
Jack is a classic name, and it has fared much better in modern years than the name it comes from, John. It’s also a prolific name in pop culture, thanks to famous movie characters like Jack Dawson, Jack Sparrow, and Jack Torrance. Parents love the name, so they use it excessively.
Liam
Originally a nickname for the classic name William, Liam has now surpassed its origins to become one of the most used male names in the world. Nameberry confirms that it has been the most popular boys’ name in the US for the past five years, tipping it from popular to overuse.
Amanda
Amanda is still a name you’ll hear but for grown women, not newborn babies. It used to be a popular choice for girls, but its popularity has been dwindling since the 1980s, with fewer parents choosing it every year. Amanda means ‘worthy of love,’ which is ironic because it’s starting to die out.
Luna
Luna is a beautiful name that means ‘moon,’ but it’s no longer a whimsical personification from Roman mythology. Nowadays, Luna is one of the most overused female names in the US, with many parents lamenting how it’s no longer unique and opting to choose different names instead.
Colin
Colin is the name of many famous men, including actors Colin Farrell and Colin Firth, but it doesn’t appeal to younger parents now the way it did decades ago. It’s not considered cute enough for babies, so it’s fallen right down the rankings of popular names and is on its way to disappearing.
Henry
Henry is an old name that’s stood the test of time even after it spawned the popular name, Harry. The US Social Security Administration reported that Henry was the 7th most popular male baby name in 2022, so it’s clearly a winner for many parents. Henry might be classic, but frankly, it’s overused.
Lucille
While Lucy is a sweet girl’s name that many parents adore, Lucille, which is derived from Lucia, hasn’t been as successful. Though it has benefited in the past from its sophisticated French sound, Lucille has been eclipsed by Lucy, which is now bordering on being overused! Regardless, Lucille has become much rarer.
Ivy
Last but not least, Ivy might not be as beautiful as roses or lilies, but it’s now a trendy female baby name. It’s short and cute, making it the perfect choice for a newborn. Beyonce and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy, further popularized it. Unfortunately, this means Ivy is no longer a hidden gem, and it’s quickly becoming overused.
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