**Traditional Baby Names Facing Decline as Modern Trends Take Over**
In the ever-evolving landscape of baby naming, it appears that some classic monikers are falling out of favour with new parents, according to recent research and trend analysis. The process of choosing a suitable name for a newborn is inherently personal and sometimes fraught with indecision, particularly as a due date draws near and parents search for the perfect identity for their child. Yet, while websites abound with inspiration and lists of popular choices, less attention is often paid to names losing ground—some of which may be on the brink of disappearing altogether.
A newly released set of figures highlights a noticeable dip in the popularity of established names, notably those with regal associations. Names tied to the British royal family appear to be making a significant retreat from the baby-naming charts. According to experts, Catherine, Anne, Philip, Albert, and Edward—all names with royal pedigree—have slid more than 100 places down the ranks compared to last year. In particular, ‘Catherine’—famously borne by the Princess of Wales—registered the most marked decline, plunging 221 places.
This trend signals a broader shift in parental preference, perhaps reflecting a move away from names traditionally seen as stately or formal. Those with connections to the 1980s and 1990s, once a mainstay for baby naming, are also seeing a sharp decrease in usage. Instead, informal and abbreviated names are capturing more attention, such as ‘Lexi’—a diminutive of Alexandra—or ‘Archie’, which has found fresh prominence as the name of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son.
Experts suggest that names dropping most dramatically might risk becoming ‘extinct’ in coming years if current patterns persist. In 2025, distinct downward trends can be observed in both girls’ and boys’ names, as detailed in a comprehensive review of naming data from 2023 to 2024.
For girls, the names tumbling most in popularity include:
– Jamie (down 320 places)
– Katie (down 290)
– Remy (down 277)
– Liv (down 257)
– Analia (down 245)
– Karina (down 243)
– Belle (down 242)
– Erin (down 231)
– Bristol (down 230)
– Lilia (down 230)
– Catherine (down 221)
Meanwhile, the list for boys is similarly striking, with these choices dropping fastest:
– Jamal (down 433 places)
– Esteban (down 283)
– Cannon (down 268)
– Emery (down 241)
– Taylor (down 199)
– Kareem (down 193)
– Idris (down 187)
– Camilo (down 185)
– Matthias (down 179)
– Danny (down 176)
– Aziz (down 170)
A further look at endangered royal names reveals that Anne is now ranked 15th among girls’ names at risk of vanishing, while Louie, Philip, Albert, and Edward also feature in the top 20 for boys experiencing steepest popularity declines.
Such shifts may be influenced by broader cultural changes, the portrayal of names in popular media, or a generational desire to forge new associations separate from the past. Brief and casual names, fitting with a global trend of informality and individuality, seem to be resonating more with younger parents. Conversely, those once emblematic of tradition or heritage appear to be less in vogue.
Whether these names will make a resurgence in years to come remains to be seen. Naming conventions, as history shows, are often cyclical, and what seems old-fashioned in one era can become highly sought-after in the next. For now, however, prospective parents are leaning towards the contemporary, with shorter, friendlier sounding names rising to prominence.
As society continues to evolve, it will be interesting to track how naming trends respond, and whether today’s endangered names might yet enjoy a revival in the future. For the time being, though, the march of modernity seems to be firmly in step in nurseries across the UK.