Naming your child is among the most important decisions that you will make in your life. It can be tricky to tell if a name will sound dated in a few years.
On the other hand, opting for something a little more traditional might lead to your little one having an 'old' name. However, there are some names that can be considered more timeless than others - with a track record to prove it.
New analysis of Office for National Statistics baby name data by My Nametags has found 15 names that have been consistently popular since the 1920s. These names have appeared in the top 100 every decade for 100 years.
As reported by Wales Online, the list of 15 names features 13 boys' names but just two girls' names. The Girls' names are Elizabeth, ranked sixth, and Sarah, ranked 13th.
There have been 339 different girls' names appearing in the top 100 of each decade, compared to just 276 boys’ names. As for boys, it was found that Alexander was the most timeless name, having been in the charts every decade since the 1920s, whilst Alex didn’t become popular in its own right until the 80s.
The Most Loved Baby Names: 1921-2021
- Alexander
- Charles
- Daniel
- David
- Edward
- Elizabeth
- George
- James
- Joseph
- Michael
- Mohammed
- Robert
- Sarah
- Thomas
- William
Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director at My Nametags, said: "At My Nametags, we have been tracking baby name trends for almost two decades. Throughout the years, we have seen many names come and go, with trends often influenced by pop culture.
"For example, we saw a huge spike in the name Aria whilst Game of Thrones was airing. However, there are some names that seem to have enduring appeal. It’s interesting to see that, whilst traditional monikers like Elizabeth and George are maintaining their charm, names in general are becoming more diverse as parents favour less formal options, and increasingly take inspiration from popular culture.
"For example, Maeve made the top 100 charts in 2020, a year after the Netflix show Sex Education aired for the first time with its lead character Maeve Wiley. As popular culture continues to have a wider social impact, we expect this trend to grow, leading to an even broader range of names in the UK."
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