Names that used to be popular with parents are now not being used at all

A number of traditional names look set to go extinct as almost no parents are now choosing them for their babies. Research , by name label manufacturer mynametags.com , explored ONS data from the last 120 years to find the traditional names that are at risk of dying out entirely.

Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director at mynametags.com, said: “We’ve been supporting parents in the UK for over 20 years, and have observed first-hand that baby name trends tend to be cyclical in nature.

“In recent years, we’ve seen the resurgence of many vintage names, such as Florence and Arthur. This got us thinking about the historic names that haven’t experienced a comeback, which set us on our path to discovering the beautiful, traditional names that risk becoming lost in time.

"We hope that our list can provide some inspiration to expectant parents looking for traditional yet unusual names – and perhaps even save the likes of Freda and Leigh from total extinction.”

According to the ONS, the most recent data shows unusual names entering the top 100 registered in England and Wales - with Athena and Yahya making the list for the first time. Muhammad topped the list of boys' names for the second year, with Noah and Oliver making second and third place.

Olivia and Amelia held the top two spots for girls' names, while Isla dropped from third place after being replaced by Lily.

Baby names at risk of dying out

Freda

Freda, meaning ‘peaceful ruler’, was one of the most popular names in the early 20 ^th Century, appearing in the top baby 100 names consistently from 1904 to 1934. However, the name is now virtually extinct with only seven babies registered with the name in 2024, according to ONS’s most recent data.

Rosina

Meaning ‘little rose’, the name Rosina was particularly popular before the First World War. Now, only 0.002% of babies born in the UK have the name, making it a perfect option for expectant parents looking for a unique, classical twist on current favourites ‘Rose’ and ‘Rosie’.

Bessie

Bessie, used on its own or as a shortening of Elizabeth or Beatrice, is a beautiful alternative to another vintage name, ‘Betty’, which has risen in popularity in recent years. Yet, it was only registered 17 times in 2024, meaning the name could die out entirely this generation.

Millicent

A retro alternative to the popular ‘Amelia’, Millicent, meaning ‘gentle strength’, offers a variety of charming shortenings, including Millie, Minnie, and Mila. However, just 42 Millicents were registered in the UK in 2024, compared with 2,448 Amelias.

Winifred

Appearing consistently in the top 100 names from 1904 to 1934, Winifred means ‘blessed peacemaker’. Often shortened to ‘Winnie’, the adorable name has become surprisingly scarce in recent years.

Cecil

The name Cecil was once a staple amongst British boys in the early-to-mid 20th Century, but became officially extinct in 2024.

Leigh

Leigh is a unique spelling of the more common ‘Lee’, and means ‘meadow’ or ‘delicate’. The name was only registered three times in 2024, despite fitting with the current trend for short-and-sweet boys’ names.

Claude

Claude, with roots to historical nobleness, has fallen out of favour with parents since the 1920s. A short and chic-sounding name, it’s now almost entirely extinct in the UK, with only 0.001% of babies born in 2024 given the name.

Maurice

A traditional Roman family name, Maurice was a staple of the top 100 most popular names from 1904 to 1954, but was registered just eight times in 2024.

Percy

Percy, meaning ‘pierce the valley’, offers plenty of vintage charm, yet has been left to almost extinction, accounting for just 0.02% of babies registered.

Names at highest risk of extinction

Girls:

1. Freda
2. Rosina
3. Bessie
4. Millicent
5. Winifred

Boys:

1. Cecil
2. Leigh
3. Claude
4. Maurice
5. Percy