Baby naming experts have revealed the names that could be on their way out soon as a new wave of parents give birth in 2026.
It's no secret that choosing your little one's moniker is a huge decision, with some people opting for new and unique names and others favouring a more traditional choice.
A recent YouGov study found that around 23 million Britons believe an unusual name can have a negative effect on a child, with 26 percent thinking these effects persist into adulthood.
And because more unusual names are on the rise, partly thanks to celebrities driving the trend, this means that some of the names that used to be firm favourites have been slipping down the ranks.
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New analysis by Personalisedbee has revealed which once-popular baby names are most likely to disappear this year, with former favourites like Brody and Scarlett rapidly losing popularity, while others have stood the test of time; Olivia, for example, has been in the top three girls’ names every year since 2006.
Without further ado, let's take a look at which names could be on their way out...
Top three boys names likely to go extinct
Brody
The baby name experts explained that Brody has dropped 17 places in just one year, falling from 82nd to 99th.
With only 553 babies given the name in 2024, down from 630 in 2023, the experts say this steep fall makes it the biggest loser of the year and suggests Brody could disappear from the top 100 all together soon.
Mason
Mason has also slipped down 13 ranks, from 50th to 63rd.
The name was given to 1,118 babies in 2023, but only 806 in 2024, showing that even once-popular, modern favourites aren’t immune to shifting naming trends.
Toby
Finally, the name Toby has dropped 10 places, from 76th to 86th.
It fell from 678 babies in 2023 to 621 in 2024, reflecting a slow but steady decline as parents increasingly explore newer or trendier options.
Top three girls names likely to go extinct
Jessica
Although once a hugely popular choice, the name Jessica has dropped 12 places in one year, moving from 83rd to 95th - maybe because Gen Z have decided its the new Karen?
The name was given to 573 babies in 2023, falling to 483 in 2024, suggesting that this once-classic favourite is steadily fading from popularity.
Lola
Lola, meanwhile, has dropped eight ranks, from 79th to 87th, as per the experts.
With 595 babies given the name in 2023 compared to 543 in 2024, it shows that even playful, modern names can gradually fall out of fashion.
Scarlett
Scarlett has also dropped seven places, from 72nd to 79th.
Once a trendy choice, the name went from 634 babies in 2023 to 610 in 2024, reflecting a slow decline as parents explore fresher alternatives.
Top 10 boys names on the brink of fading
- Brody
- Mason
- Toby
- Logan
- Joshua
- Leon
- Elliot
- Ralph
- Ellis
- Bobby
Top 10 girls names on the brink of fading
- Jessica
- Lola
- Scarlett
- Imogen
- Ellie
- Eliza
- Eva
- Sophie
- Eleanor
- Erin
Prashant, a naming expert from the gifting website, has shared her thoughts on the declining popularity of some names.
She explained: “Names are a lot like trends in fashion or home décor. They can rise quickly when they feel fresh or modern, but just as fast they can fall out of favour as parents hunt for something new and unique.
"That’s why names like Brody, Mason, and Toby are falling out of favour. They were popular a few years ago, and now parents are moving toward options that feel more current or timeless."
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Madison Burgess