10 ‘nostalgic’ baby names that could be extinct by 2026

Although vintage and older names have experienced a boom in popularity recently, not all of them are so popular. In fact, there are several older names which are set to disappear from England and Wales next year.

According to research from Nuby – owner of branded baby accessories – there are 10 names which are fading fast. After analysing 25 years of data from the Office of National Statistics, the team noted: “From our research we can see parents today are looking for baby names that feel modern and timeless; names that may remind people of older generations are being chosen less and less.”

The experts added: “Popularity of these names is forever changing, and can be influenced hugely by pop culture moments and popular TV shows.”

The top pick for names most likely to go extinct is Sheldon with just three babies in 2024 named it. This is a huge 94% drop since its peak in 1996.

Next on the list is Giles which also had three registrations last year and a 93% drop in popularity since its peak in 1997.

The third name set to vanish next year is Karen – the first girl’s name on the table. Just four babies were registered in the UK with this name in 2024, a 95% drop in popularity from its peak in 1996.

Some of the other male names that have experienced a steep drop in popularity Derek, Craig, Tyrone, Gareth and Steven have also dramatically fallen from top spot. All of these were, at one point, very popular.

When it comes to pop culture influence, the sitcom friends had a massive influence on baby names.

For example Monica, which peaked in 1997, has experienced a sharp decline, with only 22 registrations in 2024, set to go extinct in 2027. Ross has already gone extinct from nurseries in the UK, with 0 registrations in 2024.