Naming a child is a significant decision that carries cultural, familial, and sometimes personal weight. While some names remain timeless, others wane in popularity and even risk extinction. The latest data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for 2023 reveals a fascinating trend: certain names, once common, are now on the verge of disappearing altogether. Here's a look at the baby names on the brink of extinction in the US.
Female Names Facing Extinction
- Bess: Once a popular choice in the early 20th century, Bess is a diminutive of Elizabeth. It evokes a sense of old-fashioned charm but has fallen out of favor in recent years.
- Cathy: Often used as a short form for Catherine or Katherine, Cathy saw its peak in the mid-20th century. Today, it's a rarity among newborns.
- Christi: This name was a popular choice in the 1960s and 1970s, often a nickname for Christine or Christina. Its usage has dramatically declined.
- Deirdre: Of Irish origin, meaning "sorrowful" or "broken-hearted," Deirdre has not maintained its past popularity in modern times.
- Dori: A name that enjoyed brief popularity in the mid-20th century, Dori is now seldom chosen for baby girls.
- Gail: Short for Abigail, Gail was a favored name in the mid-1900s but has since seen a steep decline in usage.
- Jeanie: A diminutive of Jean or Jeanne, Jeanie once evoked a friendly, approachable image. Today, it's nearly forgotten.
- Judi: Often short for Judith, Judi was a stylish name in the 1940s and 1950s. Now, it's rarely heard in nurseries.
- Kerri: This name, which peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, has since seen a sharp decline in popularity.
- Meg: Traditionally a short form of Margaret, Meg has not been a popular choice for decades and is now at risk of extinction.
Male Names on the Decline
- Al: A classic short form of names like Albert or Alfred, Al was once a common choice but is now rarely seen on birth certificates.
- Bernie: Often short for Bernard, Bernie evokes images of a bygone era and has not been a popular baby name for years.
- Bert: Another diminutive, often for names like Herbert or Albert, Bert has fallen out of favor in contemporary baby naming.
- Bob: A name synonymous with the mid-20th century, Bob (short for Robert) has seen its popularity plummet in recent decades.
- Chuck: Short for Charles, Chuck was once a friendly, down-to-earth name but is now increasingly rare.
- Dom: Often short for Dominic or Dominick, Dom has seen a significant decrease in usage as parents opt for other variations.
- Hal: Once a popular choice as a nickname for Harold, Hal is now seldom used for newborns.
- Mel: A short form of Melvin or Melvyn, Mel has largely disappeared from the baby name landscape.
- Mitch: Short for Mitchell, Mitch was once a trendy choice but has fallen out of favor in recent years.
- Phil: A classic diminutive of Philip, Phil has seen a steep decline in usage and is now at risk of extinction.
Photo: Getty