New data suggests a host of once-popular baby names are on the brink of disappearing in the UK, as modern parents' tastes continue to evolve. Analysis of hundreds of thousands of names registered on the BabyCenter app reveals which monikers are rapidly losing favour and could vanish from the top 1,000 rankings this year.
Names Losing Their Shine
According to the experts, several traditional favourites are experiencing a sharp decline. For girls, names like Sasha, Mia, Gabrielle, Danielle, Lilian and Abby are all slipping in popularity. For boys, Dominick, Harry, Frank and Bruce are following the same downward trend.
The data also indicates that parents are moving away from creatively spelled versions of common names. Variants such as Charleigh, Alivia, Maddison, Emmitt, and Mohamad are becoming less appealing. Furthermore, geographical names like Malaysia, Dallas, and London for girls and Boston for boys are also falling out of fashion.
The Steepest Declines Revealed
The research highlights the specific names that have seen the most dramatic drops in ranking from 2024 to 2025. For girls, the biggest falls include Charleigh (down 421 spots), Mckinley (down 419 spots), and Prisha (down 349 spots). Notably, names like Sasha fell 331 places and Mía dropped 330 spots.
For boys, the declines were even more pronounced in some cases. Kylian plummeted a staggering 512 places, while Atharv fell 373 spots and Enoch dropped 345. Other significant boy name casualties include Huxley (down 296), Salman (down 278), and Camilo (down 259).
Trend Patterns and Predictions
Clear patterns are emerging from the data. Boys' names ending in the letter 'y', such as Huxley, Grady, Rey, Corey, and Harry, are collectively dropping out of the top 1,000. Similarly, names beginning with 'd' or 'k' are losing ground, including Danielle, Dylan, Kenna, Kinley, Dominic, Dev, Kylian, and Karim.
This shift suggests a move away from certain phonetic trends and a potential return to more classic, straightforward spellings and sounds. The decline of place names and unconventional variants points to a broader evolution in parental preferences, likely influenced by cultural trends and a desire for timeless choices. As we move through 2026, these names may become increasingly rare sights on birth certificates across the country.
