Lost Names Back in the Charts!

Looking for rare, historic baby names? You'll find plenty in this year's comeback kids.

These names used to be given to babies in the US, but disappeared off the charts for years, even decades. Now they've returned in the official baby name charts of 2023.

The longest gap for a returning name was 103 years! Odesa was given to 5 baby girls in 1920, and again to 5 girls in 2023. The place name Odessa was popular in the 1920s, and has had a mini-revival in recent years, so it makes sense that we're seeing an alternative spelling.

Other long-lost girl names were Abba (last recorded in 1924), Leonara (1926), and Alfia (1930).

For boys, the name AWOL for longest was another place name, Italy. It has surged in popularity for girls in recent years, but hasn't been on the boys' charts since 1922. Others include Emlyn (1923), Reaves (1926), and Yasuo (1935).

Here's our pick of the best baby boy names and baby girl names that are back on the charts after a gap of 10 years or more. Sure, most of them will never make the most popular baby names, but we hope some will stick around!

The year in brackets is when the name was last given to 5+ children in the USA.

Best of... Vintage Revivals

These comebacks have a vintage vibe — not surprising considering some of them haven't been used for nearly a century.

Girls: Abba (1924), Alcina (1976), Alfia (1930), Huldah (1978), Jenora (1981), Katha (1973), Leonara (1926), Loucille (1946), Loya (1943), Marcille (2009), Merrilee (2007), Raemarie (1969), Rogelia (1950), Vietta (1968), Wilhelmine (1937)

Boys: Berwin (1971), Emlyn (1923), Raymund (2011), Theophil (1939)

Best of... Modern-Sounding Names

These comebacks have a contemporary sound and look, but they've been around long enough that they've had a chance to drop off the charts and return.

Girls: Andry (2001), Daely (2011), Dayari (2009), Evelie (2009), Iyoni (2005), Jairah (2009), Kalesia (2006), Kaycia (2004), Kinaya (2012), Maielle (2012), Sailyn (2010), Tayton (2012), Xzavia (2011), Zakaiyah (2011)

Boys: Aeryn (2012), Amary (2010), Courtlyn (2003), Dairen (1993), Dquan (2012), Jahmarley (2011), Jyles (2010), Korian (2011), Naylen (2011), Ozion (2008), Rennan (2008), Tomias (2009), Tramari (2007), Zailan (2011), Zuriah (2010)

Best of… Word Name Comebacks

This year has seen some interesting word names return to the charts, including botanicals for girls and weather names for boys.

Girls: Anemone (2012), Daye (1973), Devyne (2012), Eterniti (2012), Heavynn (2006), Palma (2004), Thistle (2012), Wysteria (1980)

Boys: Bonnie (1994), Cape (2008), Cirrus (2002), Dove (1962), Era (1949), Scion (2009), Sunshine (1981), Western (1938)

Best of... Forgotten Last Names and Place Names

Surnames and place names are an almost endless source of rare, highly usable baby names. Here are some that were revived last year.

Girls: Cilicia (2011), Loreto (1977), Ramah (2010), Saffa (2000), Scotia (2006), Searcy (1940), Taite (2007)

Boys: Bismarck (2005), Bolivar (2005), Brander (2008), Cager (2008), Hartman (2009), Housten (2005), Kelcey (2009), Lundy (2011), Macray (2002), Mallory (2007), Milford (2000), Montego (1995), Nairobi (2002), Nazaret (2012), Raines (2010), Ramirez (1990), Reaves (1926), Rendell (2012), Shasta (1985), Stowe (2011), Willett (2012)

Best of... Worldwide Names

Beyond the pool of traditional anglo names, there's a whole world of baby names from other languages and cultures. Here are some that have made a welcome return to the charts.

Girls: Abimbola (1995), Aksana (2011), Amrah (2011), Asmahan (2011), Balbina (2000), Bogdana (2006), Dasya (2012), Eiva (2011), Fatu (2012), Hada (2006), Hitomi (2011), Kiyoshi (1996), Marializ (2012), Nesa (2000), Noheli (2010), Nooria (1999), Omer (2006), Reut (2008), Sajani (2010), Sapna (2010), Sohaila (2001), Tima (1994), Tzurty (2012), Uta (1973), Yarin (1991), Yetta (2009)

Boys: Adetayo (2003), Akwasi (2010), Antelmo (2010), Caua (2006), Delfin (2006), Hagop (2009), Iosua (2006), Isamu (2009), Jabare (2004), Kazuya (2009), Lisiate (1987), Lorenso (2012), Maricio (1998), Modibo (2012), Naum (2007), Pablito (2012), Rosalino (2001), Salvadore (2011), Sante (2006), Shohei (2000), Usayd (2003), Valo (2008), Yasuo (1935), Yimi (2010), Zareh (2006)

Best of... Maximalist Names

Long, grand, whimsical names are an ongoing trend. Here are some, both ancient and modern, that made a comeback last year.

Girls: Alizette (2008), Alphonsine (1935), Arisela (2012), Casilda (1981), Coralia (2012), Cybele (2010), Florinda (2006), Illiyana (2009), Immaculata (1942), Kailianna (2009), Marciella (2012), Priscillia (1994), Urania (2002)

Boys: Baudelio (2007), Kendarious (2012), Marcellas (2000), Melesio (2006), Ottoniel (2010), Rodarius (2011), Serafino (2003), Ygnacio (2002)

Best of... Long-Lost Nicknames

Among these old-timey diminutives, we especially love the "grandpa names" on girls!

Girls: Collie (1961), Delcy (1992), Ibbie (1934), Jemmie (1945), Kindy (1985), Kita (2004), Lessie (2008), Luley (2010), Mikey (1945), Monty (1979), Onnie (2009), Ottie (1953), Tomie (2002), Vivy (2007)

Boys: Edu (2011), Hughie (1998), Junie (1952), Lefty (1989), Nat (2002), Ronni (2010), Trino (2011)

Best of... Pop Culture Revivals

Finally a few comebacks inspired by famous figures.

Girls:

Amidala (1999): Queen Amidalam Star Wars

Yanara (2011): Chilean footballer Yanara Aedo

Boys:

Emmon (2003): Emmon Frey, Game of Thrones

Howland (1970): Howland Reed, Game of Thrones

Naruto (2012): manga series

Read more: Discover the long-lost names of 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.