Names go in and out of style, just like clothes or music. Every year, some names become more popular while others fall out of favor. This change in name popularity can happen for many reasons. Sometimes it’s because of famous people or changes in culture. Other times, names just start to feel old-fashioned.
In this blog, I’ll share 18 male names that have seen the biggest drop in popularity in recent years.
Gary
Once a very popular name, Gary has seen a significant drop in use. It was common in the 1950s and 1960s but is rarely chosen now. The name Gary might feel outdated to many new parents. Its decline could be linked to fewer famous celebrities or characters with this name.
Bruce
Bruce was a top choice for boys in the mid-20th century. It’s now much less common for newborns. The name might remind people of older generations. Despite famous Bruces like Bruce Willis, the name hasn’t kept its popularity.
Ronald
Ronald was very popular, especially during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. However, it has since fallen out of favor with new parents. The name might sound too formal or old-fashioned to some, and its connection to fast-food mascot Ronald McDonald might also affect its popularity.
Walter
Walter was a common name for much of the 20th century. It has become much less popular in recent decades. The name might seem too traditional for modern parents. However, some see it as a classic that could make a comeback.
Harold
Harold was once a kingly name with a strong presence. It has significantly declined in popularity since its peak. The name might be seen as old-fashioned or remind people of their grandfathers.
Eugene
Eugene was a top 100 name for boys in the early 1900s. It has steadily declined and is now rarely used. The name might sound too formal or outdated to many new parents. Its meaning, “well-born,” doesn’t seem to appeal to modern naming trends.
Ralph
Ralph was once a common name, especially in the mid-20th century. It has seen a sharp decline in recent years. The name might be associated with older generations or seem less trendy. Despite famous Ralphs in pop culture, it hasn’t maintained its popularity.
Howard
Howard was a popular choice for much of the 20th century. It has significantly dropped in rankings for newborn names. The name might feel too serious or old-fashioned for some parents. Its decline could be due to changing preferences for shorter, more modern-sounding names.
Carl
Carl was once a very common name in English-speaking countries. It has become much less popular for baby boys in recent years. The name might seem dated or remind people of older relatives. Despite famous Carls in history and pop culture, it’s not a frequent choice for new parents.
Wayne
Wayne was a top choice for boys in the mid-20th century. It has seen a significant drop in popularity since then. For many parents, the name might feel too connected to a specific era. Its association with Western film star John Wayne doesn’t seem to boost its appeal anymore.
Gerald
Gerald was once a common name, especially in the 1930s and 1940s. It has fallen out of favor with new parents in recent decades. The name might sound too formal or old-fashioned to modern ears. Despite meaning “ruler with the spear,” it doesn’t seem to appeal to current naming trends.
Dennis
Dennis was very popular in the mid-20th century. It has seen a steady decline in use for newborns. The name might feel dated or remind people of specific TV characters. Its drop in popularity could be due to preferences for newer, trendier names.
Roger
Roger was a top choice for boys for much of the 1900s. It has become much less common in recent years. The name might seem too traditional or remind people of older generations. Despite its use in phrases like “Roger that,” it’s not a frequent pick for new parents.
Larry
Larry was once a very popular nickname for Lawrence. It has seen a significant decline in use as a given name. The name might feel outdated or too casual for some parents. Its association with certain comedians or TV characters doesn’t seem to maintain its appeal.
Frank
Frank was a top 10 name for boys in the early 1900s. It has dropped considerably in popularity since then. The name might seem too plain or old-fashioned to some modern parents. Despite meaning “free man,” it doesn’t appear to fit current naming trends.
Jerry
Jerry, often a nickname for Gerald, was very popular mid-century. It has seen a big decline in use for newborns. The name might feel dated or too closely associated with certain celebrities. Its casual sound doesn’t seem to appeal to parents looking for more formal names.
Keith
Keith was a popular choice for baby boys in the 1960s and 1970s. However, it has become much less common in recent years. For many new parents, the name might feel too tied to a specific era. Despite famous Keiths in music and sports, it’s not frequently chosen now.
Scott
Scott was a very popular name in the 1960s and 1970s. However, it has seen a significant drop in rankings for newborns. The name might seem less distinctive or too common for previous generations, and its Scottish origins don’t seem to boost its appeal in current naming trends.
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