Naming trends are always changing; what’s popular this year, may not enjoy the same demand next year.
For some, they may never come back into style, as several monikers are headed for extinction or already all but wiped out.
While the demand for some names is understandably dropping (sorry Karen’s), it’s more surprising to hear that names such as Gary, Carol, and Vicki are endangered.
Nameberry, the world’s largest website devoted to baby names, has shared the monikers that may be at risk of extinction soon if expectant parents continue to neglect choosing them.
To my surprise, my name, Jody, has even made the endangered list.
The funny thing about naming trends is that if names go extinct, those left with them will have rare monikers, which could inspire the next wave of trends to bring them back into circulation.
If they don’t rise again in popularity, having a unique name is never a bad thing.
Most endangered names
These names have not yet hit extinction, but if the its current trajectory continues, it’s very possible they could be.
Nameberry reports that just 20-50 babies were called one of the below names in 2022.
- Barbie
- Becky
- Bill
- Brad
- Brandy
- Cherry
- Cheryl
- Chip
- Christa
- Debbie
- Denny
- Donny
- Ernie
- Ethel
- Geoffrey
- Gil
- Greg
- Jeanne
- Jeff
- Jill
- Joanie
- Jodi
- Jody
- Kay
- Keisha
- Kim
- Lizzy
- Mandy
- Marci
- Marcie
- Marcy
- Margie
- Marylou
- Merle
- Misty
- Noreen
- Rich
- Ricki
- Robby
- Ron
- Russ
- Rusty
- Scotty
- Shelly
- Suzie
- Suzy
- Tammy
- Ted
- Terri
- Tim
- Tract
- Trisha
- Trudy
- Vicky
- Vinny
- Walt
Reaching extinction
The below names are very at risk of being extinct, as the naming website states that only five to 19 babies got a moniker from this list in the last year on record.
- Al
- Bernie
- Bert
- Bess
- Bessie
- Bob
- Cary
- Cathy
- Christi
- Chuck
- Curt
- Deirdre
- Dom
- Dory
- Gail
- Gayle
- Hal
- Jeanie
- Jodie
- Judi
- Kaye
- Keri
- Kerri
- Kerry
- Kisha
- Kris
- Kristi
- Kristie
- Kristy
- Lorne
- Meg
- Mel
- Melba
- Missy
- Mitch
- Mitzi
- Myrna
- Myrtle
- Nan
- Nicki
- Nicky
- Patsy
- Peggy
- Phil
- Phyllis
- Rhonda
- Rob
- Sal
- Shaun
- Shawn
- Shelley
- Sherri
- Sheryl
- Skip
- Stan
- Sue
- Tad
- Teri
- Terry
- Timmy
- Tisha
- Tracey
- Tricia
- Val
- Vern
- Vic
- Vinnie
- Wally
- Woody
Extinct Names
Those with the below names will have a very rare name growing up as monikers on the following list went to under five babies in 2022.
- Barb
- Barney
- Bart
- Bertie
- Britt
- Burt
- Carol
- Carole
- Chuckie
- Chucky
- Cindi
- Cyndi
- Deb
- Debby
- Dick
- Dorene
- Dorinda
- Dory
- Doug
- Ed
- Flo
- Fran
- Gay
- Geoff
- Geri
- Gerri
- Gill
- Glynn
- Herb
- Herbie
- Helga
- Hester
- Jan
- Jen
- Kandy
- Kathie
- Kirstie
- Lashonda
- Madge
- Marge
- Merle
- Mo
- Nance
- Paddy
- Pam
- Pat
- Patti
- Peg
- Rod
- Roxanne
- Sal
- Sherm
- Stu
- Tammi
- Tamra
- Trish
- Vicki
- Wilkie
- Wilf
- Wilt
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