The Names Really In Danger of Extinction
If you follow baby name news, you may have noticed a peculiar trend. Every few months or so, a headline about extinct names will pop up that reads something like this:
The Name Gary is Headed for Extinction
The Name Karen is Going Extinct
The Name Nigel is Now Extinct
Gary, Karen, and Nigel are the most commonly cited "extinct" names, yet hundreds of American parents use them every year. Gary is still in the Top 1000! Even in the UK — where some of these headlines originate — these names remain in use.
Names like Gary, Karen, and Nigel are falling in popularity, but it's too early to tell if they're headed all the way to extinction.
The names that are going extinct have something in common. For the most part, they're diminutives or nickname names popular among today's grandparents. Patrick and Patricia are still used today, but no one is putting Pat on the birth certificate. Margaret and Dominic are in the Top 150, but Meg and Dom are on their way out.
Here, we have the scoop on the names that are really going extinct, from those currently endangered to the ones that have already vanished.
Endangered Names
These names are not extinct yet, but they're endangered species — given to only 20-50 babies in 2022.
Granted, some of these names still are used for babies, but as nicknames rather than full names. Greta Gerwig's son Hal is legally Harold, while Will Arnett's Denny is Alexander Denison.
Below, the names in danger of extinction:
Barbie Becky Bill Brad Brandy Cherry Cheryl Chip Christa Debbie Denny Donny Ernie Ethel Geoffrey Gil Greg Jeanne Jeff Jill Jim Joanie Jodi Jody Kay Keisha Kim Lizzy Mandy Marci Marcie Marcy Margie Marylou Merle Misty Noreen Rich Rick Ricki Robby Ron Russ Rusty Scotty Shelly Sherry Suzie Suzy Tammy Ted Terri Tim Tracy Trisha Trudy Vicky Vinny Walt
Almost Extinct Names
Some of the most popular nicknames of the Baby Boomer generation — Al and Rob, Mel and Sue — are now teetering on extinction.
These were once ubiquitous names that represented everyday people — used on sitcoms like The Brady Bunch and Father Knows Best. These days, names like Nirvana and Lucifer are statistically more representative of the youngest generation.
The names that are almost extinct were given to 5-19 babies the last year on record:
Al Bernie Bert Bess Bessie Bob Cary Cathy Christi Chuck Curt Deirdre Dom Dori Gail Gayle Hal Jeanie Jodie Judi Kaye Keri Kerri Kerry Kisha Kris Kristi Kristie Kristy Lorne Meg Mel Mel Melba Missy Mitch Mitzi Myrna Myrtle Nan Nicki Nicky Nicky Patsy Peggy Phil Phyllis Rhonda Rob Sal Shaun Shawn Shelley Sherri Sheryl Skip Stan Sue Tad Teri Terry Timmy Tisha Tracey Tracey Tricia Val Val Vern Vic Vinnie Wally Woody
Truly Extinct Names
These truly extinct names have left the charts, and aren't likely to return anytime soon. Classic nicknames like Pam, Stu, and Deb need another few decades before they sound fresh again, and full forms Pamela, Stuart, and Deborah will come back into fashion first.
Here, the extinct names given to fewer than five children 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 Kath Kathie Kirstie Lashonda Madge Marge Merle Mo Nance Paddy Pam Pat Pat Patti Patty Peg Rod Roxane Sal Sherm Stu Tammi Tamra Trish Vicki Wilkie Wilf Wilt
This begs the question — if names like Jen and Doug can go extinct, which currently popular names may eventually disappear? True classics like William and Eleanor are unlikely to vanish, but Liam and Ellie could one day be endangered.