Historic and Vintage Names · Popular Names and Name Trends
Endangered Baby Names
Across 11 pages
of 11
About this list
Endangered baby names are names that are on the edge of extinction, but that haven't totally fallen off the cliff.
Statistically, the endangered names on the list were given to 50 or fewer baby boys and baby girls in 2023. None have fallen below the Social Security Administration's five baby cutoff for recording a name, but they're headed in that direction.
Our criteria for names we consider endangered are names that have decreased radically in popularity over the years. NOT on this list are names that have always been rare or unique names we see heading for greater popularity.
Many of these endangered baby names are short forms that were put directly on the birth certificate during the heyday of their more popular formal counterparts. Nickname names such as Brad, Matt, Meg, and Laurie, once the height of coolness, have slipped onto the endangered list.
Most of the names on the endangered list have fallen so far out of fashion that they're unlikely to return for several generations. But there are some attractive names here that don't deserve to be so unpopular, in our opinion: Kerry, Leigh, Geoffrey, and even Wilbur may be gems deserving of a little polish.
RELATED:
The names
Kisha
Spelling variation of Keziah
Rather than simplifying matters, this spelling only complicates them.
Kerry
Irish
"dark, dark-haired"
Kerry is the name of one of the most beautiful and lush counties of Ireland was a seventies favorite. Related, updated versions might include Cerys and Keira.
Marci
Marci is a feminine name with Latin roots, functioning as a diminutive form of Marcia, which itself derives from Mars, the Roman god of war. The name can also be considered a variant of Marcy or…
Matt
Short form of Matthew
"gift of God"
Still one of the most appealing short forms, which goes a long way toward explaining the sustained popularity of Matthew. Matt is perennially the popular guy in high school, friendly, attractive, and…
Tricia
Diminutive of Patricia
"noble, patrician"
Back in Patricia's midcentury heyday, Patty/Patti was the plebeian nickname while Tricia/Trisha and Tish/Trish carried a snobby-yet-insubstantial image associated with then First Daughter Tricia…
Tracy
French
"of Thracia"
Almost always a girl's name now.
Scotty
Scotty is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Scott, which itself began as a surname referring to a person from Scotland. This friendly, approachable nickname has occasionally…
Lesley
Variation of Leslie, Scottish
"garden of holly"
Lesley runs a distant second to more popular sister Leslie, used for about 30 baby girls in one recent year vs. Leslie's 400+. And interestingly, no baby boys were named Lesley though about 40 were…
Maryellen
English, combination of Mary and Ellen
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + shining light"
A gentle old-fashioned compound name that has never been epidemically popular, but is now almost unused. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots…
Marietta
Italian diminutive of Maria
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea");…
Noreen
English, diminutive of Nora
Noreen's in limbo, especially now that Nora has made a comeback.
Kristie
Kristie is a feminine name primarily used in English-speaking countries as a diminutive or variant of Christine, Christina, or Kristen. Derived from the Latin 'Christiana,' it ultimately traces back…
Lorne
Variation of Lawrence
Alive thanks to Ponderosa papa Greene and SNL creator Michaels, both from Canada, where the name is much more popular.
Kristi
Kristi is a feminine name primarily used as a diminutive form of Christina or Kristina, derived from the Greek word 'Christos,' meaning 'anointed one.' This short, sweet variation gained particular…
Kristy
Diminutive of all variations of Kristina
"a Christian"
Kristy (and Kristi and Kristie) are the ultimate kool girl nicknames of the sixties and seventies, not kwite as kute any more.
Tory
English, diminutive of Victoria
"victory"
More modern nickname for Victoria than Vicky. Better known as Tori spelling.
Gail
Hebrew, short form of Abigail
"my father rejoices"
Gail was a mid-twentieth century favorite, which has been far surpassed by its original form, Abigail and nickname Abby. Spelling variations include Gale and Gayle, the latter represented by TV…
Teri
English, diminutive of Theresa
"to harvest"
One of the original cool, sleek gender neutral names , but it's since lost that edge to hits like Leni and Teddy. Today's Teri would probably be Tess or Tessa. Teri peaked in 1960 and was last on the…
Tammy
English, diminutive of Tamara
Made famous in fifties movies as a wholesome backwoods gal, Tammy was a Top 10 choice from the mid-60s to early-70s, but is now given to fewer than 100 babies per year in the US.
Robby
Diminutive of Robert, English
"bright fame"
This classic Robert nickname is starting to sound sweet again, along with ultra-retro Bobby.
