30 classic baby names that are going extinct
Naming your baby can be a momentous decision. The internet is rife with articles on choosing a baby name and how a particular name can significantly impact your child's future. In some cases, baby naming can mean big business—as noted in a June 2024 report from Business Insider, dedicated baby name consultants can charge up to $10,000 to help you decide what to call your kid.
While spending $10,000 for a unique baby name may not be in everyone's budget, research does prove that names are, in fact, important. There are some perennially popular picks, like Olivia and Liam—the two most common baby names for six years running, according to 2025 data from the Social Security Administration—but names can also reflect shifts in pop culture and parents' priorities. For instance, a March 2025 report from The Economist pointed out that the name Taylor has become less popular amid Taylor Swift's rise to superstardom, while names associated with beauty, joy, and wealth are increasing in use.
For those seeking a more unusual name for their newborn, this list of 30 baby names going extinct is a good place to start. We calculated the average annual rank for baby names from 1880 to 2015 using the Social Security Administration's historical archives of baby names. Then we compared it to where those names were placed in 2016. Our list focuses on classically popular names that historically ranked in the top 1,500 names. From Merle to Myrna, find the top 15 vintage boys and girls' names flying out of fashion.
