Do you know a Doris or a Sheila?
Because it looks like their names are on the brink of dying out.
Yes, according to a new survey by Ancestry, they have used online birth records to compare the popularity of forenames over the past 100 years and their findings are seriously interesting.
Compiling their collected data into three categories, the study labelled one category as “critical” and this features the baby names in Ireland on the brink of extinction.
These are names that were once popular in Ireland and now, have plummeted in circulation over the past 100 years.
For the “extinct” names, there has been no data of them in the past five birth records leading researchers to believe they’re on the way out.
Do you recognise any of these?
Male names
Herbert
Norman
Cecil
Bartholomew
Leslie
Cyril
Reginald
Donald
Sylvester
Wallace
Garrett
While for ladies, the names are…
Gertrude
Ethel
Eveline
Muriel
Gladys
Sheila
Marion
Doreen
Wilhelmina
Doris
Edna
Letitia
Margaretta
Fanny
While on the other hand, names which have risen in popularity over the past 100 years include Matthew, Luke, Leo, Adam and Aidan for males while, Anna, Emily, Grace, Charlotte, Lucy and Lena have become popular girls names.
Speaking on this research, Ancestry spokesperson Russell James said:
“Whilst we know no name can ever truly become extinct, it’s fascinating to look at the names which have gone out of fashion and those that have boomed in the last 100 years.
It would be uncommon to meet a new-born Mary, Margaret or John today while babies with the name Emily or Jack can be found around the country.”
Fascinating!
