If you’ve noticed fewer Lindas and more little Hazels at the playground, you’re not imagining it. A new report has revealed a striking shift in the baby names parents are choosing today, and it’s bad news for some of the most iconic monikers of the Baby Boomer era.
According to Choice Mutual’s newly released Endangered Names Report, which analysed Social Security Administration data spanning more than a century (1900 to 2024), many once-dominant names are now on the brink of disappearing altogether.
And for those who grew up surrounded by Jennifers, Brians and Scotts, the findings may come as a surprise.
The Boomer names fading fast
Baby names that defined a generation, particularly those that peaked between 1946 and 1964 – are now rapidly falling out of favour.
For boys, Ronald and Jerry are among the fastest-fading, once household staples that are now rarely heard in nurseries or classrooms. For girls, Linda and Deborah are leading the decline, with Linda’s fall perhaps the most dramatic of all.
Once one of the most popular names of the 1950s, Linda has now dropped so far that it barely registers on modern baby name charts.
It’s a striking reminder of how quickly tastes can change, and how even the most popular names can feel dated within a few decades.
© Getty ImagesGen X favourites disappearing
It’s not just Boomer names facing extinction. The report also highlights a quiet decline among Gen X favourites, those that peaked between 1965 and 1980.
For boys, Scott and Brian are steadily slipping out of use, while for girls, Lisa and Jennifer, once the defining names of an era, are now seeing a steep drop in popularity.
Jennifer, in particular, enjoyed an extraordinary run at the top of the charts for years, making its current decline all the more notable.
© Getty ImagesThe vintage revival no one saw coming
So what are today’s parents choosing instead? In a fascinating twist, many are looking further back in time for inspiration.
Names from the early 20th century are enjoying a remarkable resurgence, with what the report describes as a ‘full-on revival’ of vintage favourites.
Leading the comeback is Hazel, now the number one returning name. After peaking in 1918 and falling to just 134 babies in 1975, it has surged back into popularity, with more than 6,000 babies given the name each year.
Eleanor is another standout success story. Once at its height in 1920, it has climbed steadily back into favour, with 7,127 baby girls given the name in 2024 alone.
Meanwhile, Elsie, another early 1900s favourite, is also rising quickly, embraced by a new generation of parents seeking names with charm, character and a sense of history.
© Getty ImagesA generational shift in taste
Perhaps the most striking takeaway from the report is just how dramatically naming trends have shifted over time.
A remarkable 72 per cent of the most popular names from the 1930s are now considered extinct, highlighting the cyclical nature of baby names and the powerful influence of nostalgia.
Today’s parents appear to be turning away from the names of their parents’ and grandparents’ generations, instead rediscovering those that feel timeless, distinctive and just a little bit unexpected.
So while Ronald and Linda may be fading into history, don’t be surprised if the next classroom roll call is filled with Hazels, Eleanors and Elsies, proof that, when it comes to baby names, everything old really does become new again.
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