We're used to hearing about the most popular baby names aren't we, those endless lists to give parents-to-be some inspiration.
But if they're wanting their child to stand out, it might be worth taking a look at the names that have fallen from favour.
The BabyCentre baby name experts have been looking for those not registered by UK parents at all in 2022 – a sure sign that they’re critically endangered.
Among those with zero registrations, it was girls’ names with a 70s and 80s American vibe that seemed to dominate the list. There were no baby girls named Farrah, Stacey, Kelly, Barbie or Britney. Equally though, baby boomer names like Sheila, Deirdre and Shirley also fell from grace.
Read more: Most popular baby names for 2022 as Gary makes comeback
In a similar picture for boys, Cliff, Nigel and Harold weren’t registered at all. But there was also a decline in old-fashioned gentlemen names like Rhett, Brent, Quinton and Giles.
Other names are just about hanging on - like Karen and Donald - which both had just one registration in 2022.
Once popular for baby girls born in the 1960s but now a meme byword for a privileged, white woman, Karen dwindled from four registrations in 2021, while Donald had six that year.
Sarah Redshaw, managing editor for BabyCentre UK, said: “After becoming the name of a million memes it looks like Karen is only just hanging on. We could very well see it drop off completely next year.
"And it’s no surprise that Donald is meeting the same kind of fate after the last US president’s controversial time in office.”
She said the endangered names list is well worth a look for those wanting something a bit more unique.
Sarah said: “These names might have fallen out of fashion, but they could make a great choice for your newborn. They’re familiar but it’s unlikely there will be another boy or girl with the same name in your child’s class. Parents looking for cool and unique choices might want to put Farrah and Rhett on their shortlists.”
Have you picked an unusual name for your child? Would you consider an 'endangered' name if it meant having something more unique? Let us know in the comments here.
The endangered baby names of 2022 in full (All these names had zero registrations in 2022 yet have appeared in recent years’ lists)
Endangered girls’ names
- Barbie
- Britney
- Carrie
- Deirdre
- Farrah
- Gail
- Gayatri
- Katrina
- Kelly
- Lindsey
- Shania
- Sheila
- Shirley
- Stacey
- Tegan
Endangered boys’ names
- Baxter
- Bill
- Brent
- Clement
- Cliff
- Giles
- Harold
- Kamran
- Maximillian
- Nigel
- Quinton
- Rashid
- Rhett
- Saul
- Wallace
