A quick internet search for baby names pulls list after list of the most popular options (Hi, Theo and Wren!)—but what about the unpopular ones? Or the monikers that used to be at the top of their class but have fallen in the ranks over time (Jessica and Amanda know what we’re talking about). Just like the cut of our jeans, it’s natural for names to go in and out of favor, especially as trends change and parents look for ever-more unique options. But some monikers have fallen in favor, and others have fallen off the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s top 1000 list altogether. If you’re looking for uncommon baby names that ensure singularity in your kid’s classroom, these cute options have been on the outs for years or even decades—and who knows if they’ll ever make a comeback?
How do baby names become unpopular?
Name trends come and go, and according to baby name consultant Sherri Suzanne, founder of My Name for Life, they aren’t so much rejected but squeezed out by newer options. According to Suzanne, those oh-so-popular monikers lose their luster when a trend becomes oversaturated, a TV series giving fuel to the name gets canceled, or a chance association discourages the use of the name. For example, Suzanne says that Alexa is a beautiful name, but sharing it with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant has discouraged some parents from using it.
Related: 19 Baby Names Banned Around the World
In baby naming circles, it’s said that names have cycles. “Baby names often have a popularity horizon of approximately 20 years, after which they start to sound familiar to the point of overuse,” says Taylor A. Humphrey, Baby Name Consultant at What’s in a Baby Name. “Names that were once popular fall out of favor for names that feel more culturally aligned with the new generation of parents,” she explains. If the new crop of options doesn’t feel quite right and trends like girl’s names for boys or -ai names don’t speak to you, there are plenty of ideas to be mined from ones experiencing a lull in popularity. Here are some baby names that are falling fast… for now.
21 names that have plummeted in popularity:
Heath
Derived from an Old English surname, Heath was intended to emphasize a person’s connection to the land. In the 1960s it climbed the charts because of the TV show Big Valley, and more recently, the late actor Heath Ledger gave it a little bump in popularity. Though Heath hit #181 at its peak in 1974, the SSA now has it sitting down low at 863.
Trudy
Though it may call to mind little girls in pigtails and pinafores, this sweet name with German roots actually means “spear of strength.” Less outdated than its mother moniker, Gertrude, Trudy peaked in popularity in the 1940s at 238 before tumbling over the decades to its current position near the very bottom of the Top 1000 list: #968. She’s due for a comeback!
Agatha
This name has Greek origins and is derived from the word “agathos” meaning “good.” While Agatha appeared on the Top 1000 Name Chart in 1945, probably with help from prolific writer Agatha Christie, it fell off in 1946 and hasn’t seen a resurgence yet. But how cute is the nickname Aggie? We love.
Robby
This nickname for Robert has total Bobby vibes, but it’ll also give your tot some star power. With German roots, Robby means “bright fame,” which is fitting since your little one will always shine in your eyes. Since hitting an all-time high on the charts at 393 in the ’60s, it’s fallen hard today, landing at the 842nd spot on the SSA list. We could definitely see Robby hitting it big as a girl’s name, but only time will tell.
Nancy
In 1950, there were over 29,621 girls named Nancy, which means 1 out of every 59 baby girls had this moniker. Since it was in the SSA’s Top 10 from 1934 to 1955 (thanks at least in part to girl detective Nancy Drew), we wouldn’t be surprised to hear you have an aunt or cousin Nancy. With Hebrew and French origins, it means “pure” or “favored”. It’s now ranked #942, and as one popular Nancy (Sinatra) sang, this name “is made for walkin’”—up the charts, that is. Also, the nickname Nan is so good.
Janet
Ms. Janet Jackson is one famous Janet that springs to mind. Way popular in the ’30s and ’40s, this name was an SSA chart favorite for more than 80 years but has been off the Top 1000 since 2012. Janet has British origins meaning “God’s gracious gift” and is a feminine form of John. Popular nicknames for the low-profile moniker are Jan, Janey, and Jay. Maybe one day Janet and a spot on the top 1000 list will be together again (see what we did there).
Related: Baby Name Expert Shares the Names to Avoid in 2024
Bryant
Though your first thought might be of late basketball giant Kobe Bryant, this name is of Norman origin and comes from the Brian, meaning “strong, virtuous, and honorable.” While Brian is a regular on the SSA Top 10 Names list, its name-cousin, Bryant, is declining and has fallen 256 spots since 2020—even though it joined the Top 1000 chart in 1880, 40 years before Brian.
Joelle
This French name is derived from the Hebrew name “Joel” and means “Jehovah is God.” Joel was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, with some famous Joel’s including movie director Joel Cohen and Tony Award winner Joel Grey, but Joelle never had the same star power. Though she fell 151 spots from 2022 to 2023 and now ranks 936, JoJo (best nickname!) seems poised for the spotlight…
Kathleen
In 1950 this name was most popular with 25,699 American baby girls named Kathleen. It has had a sloooooow descent, and in 2022 it disappeared from the Top 1000 list for the first time ever. The Irish name is a form of Katherine which means “pure.” Kathleen isn’t short on diminutive versions either, with cute nicknames including Katy, Kat, and Kay.
Bronson
Meaning “Son of Brown,” this Anglo-Saxon name dates all the way back to the ninth century when algebra was founded and Vikings ruled the waterways. Bronson popped into the SSA Top 1000 Names in the 1970s when actor Charles Bronson became one of the top ten box office stars. Bronson saw a rise in popularity in 2013 but quietly dropped off the list in 2021.
Lisa
Stemming from the Hebrew name “Elisheba,” which means “God is my oath,” Lisa is a shortened form of Elizabeth. Odds are you’ve met a Lisa since this name was Number One from 1962 to 1970–and in its last year at Number 1 a record 496,976 babies were named Lisa. Since the ’70’s it has steadily fallen, and now ranks at #850, but maybe there’s hope for Lisa as The Simpsons captivates a new generation of kids on Disney+.
Liberty
From the Latin word that means “freedom,” this moniker hit the SSA female name charts in 2020 at number 653 and has continued its free fall over the last few years. This virtue name, part of a trend in which parents name their kids after virtues they hope they’ll have (think: Hope, Grace, and Justice), sits at 891 and might just tumble off the charts in the next few years.
Russ
The perfect name for red-headed babes, Russ is a variation of Russell that means “redhead” or “fox-colored.” Having peaked on the charts in the late ’50s at 425, Russ has currently fallen off the Top 1000 list. Still, the short and sweet name is familiar but not overused and has just the right amount of mischief for your little rascal.
Joanie
Spelled in more of a grandma-chic way than singer Joni Mitchell’s moniker, Joanie is a variation of Joan, which means “God is gracious.” From the mid-’20s to the mid-’60s, Joan had a good long run in popularity. But now it feels like Joanie’s turn to jump into the Top 1000 list with kindreds like Sadie, Sylvie, and Janie.
Orson
This name comes from the Latin “ursus,” meaning “bear cub,” which is just so adorable. It has Norman French roots, and you probably can’t hear this one without thinking of its most popular bearer: Orson Welles, the influential American director, actor, writer, and producer who made Citizen Kane. Orson was in the Top 1000 in 1901 and disappeared the very next year.
Marylou
This name’s way more substantial than it sounds. Combining Mary and Lou, it means “drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved” plus “famous battle.” Though she reached all the way to #350 in 1937, Marylou is not getting dangerously close to the bottom of the Top 1000, sitting at #987.
Scotty
This straightforward name has roots in Old England, literally translating to “from Scotland.” It’s no wonder that Scotty skyrocketed in popularity in the late ’60s and early ’70s (hitting 210 in 1971), we’re guessing in part thanks to the Star Trek catchphrase “Beam Me Up, Scotty,” which was said in different variations by Captain Kirk to engineer Montgomery “Scotty” Scott.
Patsy
This name is absolutely fabulous, darling—just ask Joanna Lumley, who played Patsy Stone on Ab Fab. The moniker is derived from Patricia and means “noble,” or “patrician.” One of the most famous women to bear this name was Patsy Cline, the country music icon who died in 1963. After having a solid run in the 1930s and 1940s, reaching number 52 on the Top 1000, this fave for Irish schoolgirls (and some boys, too) fell off the list completely in 1970.
Bertie
This nickname for Albert can totally stand on its own, alongside counterparts like Archie and Alfie. The British name means “noble” and “bright,” as little Bertie is sure to be. This name has made popular appearances throughout history on actors, footballers, and even a few kings, but it hit its stride back in 1889 and has been falling since, currently sitting at #982.
Wally
The diminutive for Walter and in some cases Wallace, Wally means “from Wales.” (The name Walter, however, has Germanic origins meaning “commander of the army.”) Besides pop culture references like Vacation‘s “Wally World” and the heartwarming Pixar robot Wall-E, Wally Szczerbiak is an American basketball player with this long-established nickname. Wally was on the SSA Top 1000 for 4 decades but fell to the wayside in 1969.
Wendy
In the 1960s and 1970s, this name, meaning “friend,” was firmly planted in the SSA Top 1000. Gaining popularity through author J.M. Barrie’s popular children’s book Peter Pan, Wendy was beloved by those seeking a bit of whimsy in their name choice. This name flew away to Neverland in 2019, but with some wishing (and a little fairy dust), it’s bound to soar back onto the charts soon.
Should I choose an unpopular baby name?
When scouring baby name lists, Suzanne stresses that it’s good to remember that “unpopular” does not mean unliked. Humphrey backs this up by explaining that popularity strictly refers to how many times a name has been used—but “there’s no judgment about a name’s good standing.” You should be free to choose names that speak to you, honor beloved relatives, or inspire confidence. Oh, and make sure it warms your heart when you say this out loud: I love you to the moon and back, [insert your baby’s name here].
