Forgotten Names Back in the Charts
These names aren't just rare, they're all-but-forgotten. Meet the comeback kids of 2024!
The names below were used in the US in the past, but disappeared off the charts for at least 10 years — and sometimes much longer. Now they've returned in the latest baby name rankings.
The longest gap for a returning name was 110 years! Anello — "ring" in Italian, or a variation of Aniello — was given to five baby boys in 1914, then went completely off the radar until it was again given to five boys in 2024.
Other long-lost boy names include Mayne (last on the charts in 1920), Kaname (1924), and Amis (1928). The girl names with the longest time off the charts were Themis (1916), Augie (1921), and Elbie (1922).
In total, 257 girl names and 173 boy names returned to the charts after a gap of 10 years or more.
Here's our pick of the best, many of which you won't find on any other list. Some may be flashes in the pan, but others we hope are back for good!
The year in brackets is when the name was last given to 5+ children in the USA.
Best of... Long-Lost Nicknames
Some of these old-fashioned diminutives are straight out of a British boarding school, while others are the cool kids of the 1970s.
Girls: Bunnie (1980), Flo (1970), Francy (1996), Hassie (1988), Jacki (2004), Mikie (1987), Montie (1977), Nessie (1985), Netty (1954), Solie (2012), Versie (1981), Yve (1978).
Boys: Jimy (2010), Maxey (1969), Morrie (1975), Tommi (1991), Trev (2010) Wallie (2004).
Best of... Revived Word Names
Every year brings some interesting word name revivals. The pick of the bunch this year:
Girls: Future (2011), Merrily (2001), Millennia (2000, of course), Rusty (1996), Sonata (2012)
Boys: Ally (2007), Jurnee (1995), Octave (1969), Pope (1941), Song (1997), Valley (1941)
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: Farley (1978), March (1978), Mclain (2001)
Boys: Aniston (2013), Brannigan (2009), Brunson (2010), Halsey (2012), Karlson (2012), Mcrae (2012), Ridgley (2000), Royle (1983), Sanderson (1998), Trotter (2013)
Best of... Double-Barrel Names
Double names are gaining ground in the US, with many new examples entering the charts as well as returning. In everyday life, these names probably have hyphens or spaces in them, but the official records smoosh them together.
Newly-revived double-barrel names for girls include Annajulia (2013), Billiejo (2007), Emilyelizabeth (2012), Hazelann (2005), Lenamae (1928), Margaretanne (2009), Mariaelisa (1996), Taylorann (2013), and Toniann (2010).
And for boys: Anthonyjoseph (2006), Jeanbaptiste (1987), Johnpeter (1990), and Joseandres (2013).
Best of... International Comebacks
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: Aliki (1994), Annunziata (1974), Frumie (2007), Habibatou (2004), Hema (2011), Ishwari (2010), Kiyora (2008), Kura (2011), Maialen (2004), Malulani (2013), Mizan (2002), Naoki (2011), Nilufar (1992), Savita (2012), Uzma (2010).
Boys: Adebola (1990), Analu (2006), Anatoliy (2012), Azhan (2006), Cristos (2011), Dilshan (2011), Encarnacion (1992), Haoyang (2012), Inacio (2005), Mano (2010), Oluseyi (2001), Rashidi (2002), Ryujin (2012), Salaam (2004), Serj (2011), Tatsuki (2012), Vili (2008), Viviano (2007)
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: Estellise (2013), Ivelyn (2007), Jaelanie (2013), Keymari (2013), Kylisha (1999), Mavelyn (1961), Rheyna (2009), Starrlynn (2011), Xiyah (2009), Zenani (1990)
Boys: Alexson (2013), Cormari (2010), Lolan (1932), Makaiden (2013), Natavion (2007), Qualon (2007), Rysen (2009), Zaaire (2009), Zareth (2013)
Best of... Forgotten Names You'll Love
A final selection of names that you might just want to add to your list. It's a mystery why they've been forgotten for so long, but we hope they'll stick around.
Girls: Anilu (2006), Hesper (1982), Kerensa (2012), Kinara (2002), Lova (1963), Luara (1991), Melian (2008), Valera (1974), Winola (1943)
Boys: Banyon (1974), Evrin (2006), Fontaine (2007), Isador (1943)
Read more: Discover the long-lost names of 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.