10 'old-lady' baby names making a comeback and 20 that are facing extinction
Picking the perfect name for a new baby is one of the hardest decisions a parent has to make. It is a moniker that will stick with the child for life, so it has to suit them.
Some names seem cute and adorable for a wee tot, but will it still seem right when they are older? And other titles just don't fit properly for a youngster.
It's a seemingly endless struggle, so mums and dads-to-be often look around for inspiration. And while many are choosing more unique, modern names, some are going in the other direction.
In fact, some are turning the clock back a full century and using baby names from 100 years ago to help them find the right title for their little bundle of joy.
QR Code Generator examined data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on the top 100 baby girl names in 1924 and compared it with the ONS data for 2023 to see which vintage names were making a comeback.
There are a number of 'old lady' names that still have huge popularity in the UK a century on, showing that, sometimes, looking back is the best way to look forward. However, there are also a number of classic titles that look set for extinction due to their dwindling popularity.
The most favoured vintage baby name for girls is Lily, with 2,290 baby girls in the UK named Lily in 2023 - more than any other on the list.
Continuing the nature theme, Ivy was the second most popular, with 1,997 girls named Ivy in 2023. In third place, trends deviated from the floral and nature theme, with 1,899 girls being named Florence, reports the Express.
Names like Evelyn, Elsie, and Emily were also in the top 10, showing they too have stood the test of time, alongside Grace and Ada. Daisy was also in there, another floral title, and rounding off the list was Ruby; perfect for parents who love gem-inspired names.
At the other end of the scale, there are some vintage girls' names that are coming close to disappearing, with several having completely vanished in 2023.
Phyllis, Pauline and Gertrude have become extinct in the UK, with no babies receiving any of these three names in the ONS statistics.
And there are some others that were only chosen a handful of times. Doreen, Muriel and Brenda are the second rarest century-old baby girl names in the UK today, with only three baby girls each given these names in 2023.
Marjorie, Maureen, and Marion were only picked a few times, as were Sheila, Thelma, Hilda, and Edna.
Celebrity power also hasn't helped a couple of titles. Despite Gwendoline Christie becoming one of the most recognisable British actors of the last 15 years thanks to her roles in Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Wednesday - and, of course, her towering height - her name was only used 10 times in 2023.
And Pamela Anderson has been making a bit of a comeback in recent years. The Baywatch icon has been praised for being an advocate for aging gracefully, rather than turning to regular cosmetic surgery. But Pamela was picked as a name just nine times in 2023.
So, despite the vintage appeal working for some names, it hasn't helped others which are coming close to extinction in the UK. Read on below for the full lists.
Top 10 most popular 100-year-old baby girl names in the UK
Lily - 2,290 baby girls born with the name in 2023
Ivy - 1,997
Florence - 1,899
Evelyn - 1,673
Elsie - 1,662
Daisy - 1,585
Grace - 1,541
Emily - 1,280
Ada - 1,089
Ruby - 1,059
20 rarest 100-year-old baby girl names in the UK
Phyllis - 0 baby girls born with the name in 2023
Pauline - 0
Gertrude - 0
Brenda - 3
Doreen - 3
Muriel - 3
Sheila - 4
Beryl - 5
Marjorie - 6
Thelma - 6
Maureen - 7
Gladys - 8
Hilda - 8
Marion - 8
Doris - 9
Edna - 9
Mildred - 9
Pamela - 9
Gwendoline - 10
Janet - 11
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