Unpopular baby names 2016: Names that have become uncool

Table of contents

The most unpopular baby names of 2016 (so far)

First off: Big apologies to Angela Catterns, Sandra Sully, Clive Palmer and anyone else that we’re about to offend.

Parenting and pregnancy information site BabyCenter have released their list of the most unpopular names of the year so far … and there were definitely a few surprises.

Turns out we might like Mal as a prime minister, but we aren’t racing to name our kids after him.

Ebs and flows

BabyCenter’s Managing Editor, Sarah Redshaw explained the ups and downs of name popularity saying, “It’s inevitable that as some names rise in popularity, others fall out of fashion. The question is will they die out completely, or experience a revival in the future.”

In order to make the list a name had to have been popular once upon a time, but fail to be registered in 2016.

There is such thing as ‘too traditional’

It seems that many names that were popular in recent decades have now slipped off the radar, considered too old-fashioned despite the recent popularity of  old and traditional names like Violet and Arabella.

People aren’t buying that ‘old school’ automatically means ‘cool’ – leading to dwindling use of monikers like Wayne, Duncan, Doris and Wendy. (Wendy Harmer, you may be hilarious, but it seems you’re part of a dying breed.)

Want a name that stands out from the crowd?

Redshaw’s advice for parents wanting to choose a baby name that will set a child apart from their peers is to “look to names like Paula, Debra and Elaine that were popular in the 60s, 70s and 80s.”

Just because they have currently fallen out of vogue, doesn’t mean you can’t be responsible for their valiant comeback!

next – Most unpopular names for boys

Table of contents

The most unpopular baby names of 2016 (so far)

First off: Big apologies to Angela Catterns, Sandra Sully, Clive Palmer and anyone else that we’re about to offend.

Parenting and pregnancy information site BabyCenter have released their list of the most unpopular names of the year so far … and there were definitely a few surprises.

Turns out we might like Mal as a prime minister, but we aren’t racing to name our kids after him.

Ebs and flows

BabyCenter’s Managing Editor, Sarah Redshaw explained the ups and downs of name popularity saying, “It’s inevitable that as some names rise in popularity, others fall out of fashion. The question is will they die out completely, or experience a revival in the future.”

In order to make the list a name had to have been popular once upon a time, but fail to be registered in 2016.

There is such thing as ‘too traditional’

It seems that many names that were popular in recent decades have now slipped off the radar, considered too old-fashioned despite the recent popularity of  old and traditional names like Violet and Arabella.

People aren’t buying that ‘old school’ automatically means ‘cool’ – leading to dwindling use of monikers like Wayne, Duncan, Doris and Wendy. (Wendy Harmer, you may be hilarious, but it seems you’re part of a dying breed.)

Want a name that stands out from the crowd?

Redshaw’s advice for parents wanting to choose a baby name that will set a child apart from their peers is to “look to names like Paula, Debra and Elaine that were popular in the 60s, 70s and 80s.”

Just because they have currently fallen out of vogue, doesn’t mean you can’t be responsible for their valiant comeback!

next – Most unpopular names for boys

Table of contents

Most unpopular names for boys

dean

The next generation will have nobody called Dean sweeping them off their feet …

  1. Bertram
  2. Cecil
  3. Clarence
  4. Clive
  5. Cyril
  6. Dean
  7. Dennis
  8. Derek
  9. Duncan
  10. Ernest
  11. Geoffrey
  12. Horace
  13. Leonard
  14. Malcolm
  15. Neville
  16. Nigel
  17. Roy
  18. Wayne

 

next – Most unpopular names for girls

Table of contents

Most unpopular names for girls

Elaine

Sorry Ms Benes, but the name Elaine is doing you no favours …

  1. Angela
  2. Beverley
  3. Carol
  4. Debra
  5. Diane
  6. Donna
  7. Doris
  8. Elaine
  9. Joanne
  10. Maureen
  11. Paula
  12. Sally
  13. Sandra
  14. Sharon
  15. Sheila
  16. Tracey
  17. Wendy
  18. Yvonne