As we flip through the pages of our family photo albums, we can't help but notice the names that once echoed through our homes and playgrounds. Names that were once the soundtrack of a generation are now fading into the background, replaced by new favourites that resonate with today's young parents. The Gen X names, those belonging to individuals born between 1965 and 1980, are now on the verge of becoming rarities in birth announcements and kindergarten classrooms.

The recent announcement of the top baby names for 2024 has highlighted a continuing trend: names like Oliver and Isla are reigning supreme, with Oliver securing the title of the most popular boys' name for the 11th consecutive year, according to McCrindle Research. Isla, on the other hand, has reclaimed its crown as the country's most popular girls' name after briefly losing out to Charlotte.

But what of the names that defined Generation X? A viral TikTok video from the account Nostalgia Nut has shed light on the names that today's parents are almost unanimously avoiding. The video, which has amassed over 700,000 views, lists names such as Donna, Tracey, and Barry – names that were once staples but are now seldom heard in the playgrounds and nurseries of Australia.

A new generation of parents are using different naming conventions for their children, rendering older names 'obsolete'. Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay

For the girls, names like Donna, Tracey, Kerry, Lindsey, Cheryl, Clare, Tanya, Beverly, Denise, Karen, Lorraine, and Dawn are no longer in vogue. And for the boys, Barry, Stuart, Nigel, Gary, Kerry, Kieron, Keith, and Wayne are names that new parents are steering clear of.

The comments section of the video was a mix of nostalgia and humour. One viewer remarked, 'Karen is never coming back,' referencing the recent cultural associations that have turned the name into a meme rather than a moniker for a newborn. Another, named Karen, humorously asked if there was a manager she could speak to about the demise of her name.

Yet, not everyone is ready to bid farewell to these names. Some commenters expressed hope for a revival, with one suggesting that 'Surely Nigel and Gary will make a comeback,' while another added, 'Lindseys need to comeback.' And there are those who still hold a candle for names like Donna, with one commenter admitting, 'I’ve always loved the name Donna though.'

Here is a list of names that are slowly disappearing as parents use new names. Source: Nostalgia Nut

So why are these names losing their appeal? It's a blend of cultural shifts, the desire for individuality, and the inevitable cycle of naming trends. Names often reflect the times, and as society changes, so do the names that resonate with new generations of parents. Additionally, some names may carry certain stereotypes or associations that can influence a parent's choice.

But it's not just about popularity; it's about identity. Names are a significant part of our personal story, and choosing a name for a child is often a deeply personal decision that reflects the parents' tastes, experiences, and hopes for their child's future.

For our members at the Seniors Discount Club, these names may bring back fond memories or even a chuckle as we recall friends and family members who bear them. And who knows? Just as fashion sees the return of vintage styles, the names of yesteryear may one day cycle back into popularity.

Key Takeaways

• Oliver and Isla were announced as the most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, for 2024, according to McCrindle Research.
• A viral TikTok video by account Nostalgia Nut listed names that were once popular among Generation X but are now considered nearly obsolete by today's parents.
• Names such as Donna, Tracey, Kerry, and Barry are among those that today's parents are less likely to choose for their children.
• The video sparked a conversation among viewers, with some suggesting certain names might make a comeback, while others lamented the declining popularity of their own names.

We'd love to hear from you, our dear readers. Do you have a name that's fallen out of favour? Or perhaps you're a proud bearer of a Gen X name and have a story to share about it. Let us know in the comments below – we're all ears for a bit of nostalgia and a good yarn!

 

[PepeLePew]

I don't have a traditional name and hated it as a child but now I embrace it as no one else I have ever meet my age has my name. I think of me as being unique. I also gave all my children very unusual names so they weren't run of the mill names and my children did the same with their children. All one of a kind names and unique.

 

[Colette 3799]

I have always hated my name. As a child I was the only Colette and I would get called Clair, or Colleen or some other random name. As I grew older the only time I heard Colette was it was usually the name of a prostitute or a stripper in crime shows on TV lol. I think there are a few of us around now from what I’ve heard but I still would have preferred a normal name. At school I really wanted to be called Jayne (with a Y) which turned out to be my granddaughter’s middle name

 

[Luckyus]

I've always had the same name, just that the preceding ones tended to proceed it, such as when younger you little, or in the forces you orrible little or when older you rotten, I think the reader will get the idea.

 

[Veggiepatch]

THEY CALL ME BRUCE!!

Not my name, thankfully!

 

[Littleboy8]

I don't have a traditional name and hated it as a child but now I embrace it as no one else I have ever meet my age has my name. I think of me as being unique. I also gave all my children very unusual names so they weren't run of the mill names and my children did the same with their children. All one of a kind names and unique.

So what’s your name it’s obviously not PepeLePew or is it.

 

[Ezzy]

My mother went by her second name, Ann, preferring not to be called Edith. This posed a problem when she went into hospital because visitors, if they knew, had to ask for Edith Ann. Our Church Minister did not & asked for Ann & was sent to a room where a lady lay asleep connected up to wires & a mask on her face for breathing. When she woke he realised the error, had a prayer with her & left.

 

[marni]

You left off Cynthia.