There are some names that are definitely popular. You hear these names at a school, playground, rec centre, court or field — or when your kid is telling you stories about their classmates. It can feel like you’re hearing the same names all over again. Either that or you hear names that are completely unique. What you won’t often hear, however, are names from when you were a child. Perhaps it’s the name of your childhood bestie — or it might even be your own. Whatever the case, those names that were once trendy or favoured are no more.
According to the BBC, after analyzing 170 of U.K. names between 1996 and 2017, researchers at Oxford University found that parents in the U.K. are opting for uncommon names.
“We can speculate that the comparatively greater range of media, freedom of movement, and ability to maintain globally distributed social networks increases the number of possible names,” said Dr. Stephen Bush, “but also ensures they may more quickly be perceived as commonplace.”
Parents are finding inspiration from pop culture or trying to make some different by altering the spelling when they could make things so much easier by choosing a moniker that is becoming or has become obsolete. Like these baby names on the verge of becoming extinct.
![Justine Sleeping newborn in swaddle](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Justine
These unique names will work for any baby.
![Craig Sleeping newborn on mother's chest](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Craig
![Ashley Sleeping newborn on mother's chest](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Ashley
Forget now — in a decade, these are the names people will be calling their babies.
![Jeff Nurse holding sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Jeff
![Donna Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Donna
Hey, if these vintage names can make a comeback, so can the ones on this list.
![Melvyn Newborn sleeping against father's shoulder](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Melvyn
![Tracy Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Tracy
Now here are some unusual baby names we know you're going to love.
![Graeme Newborn lying in bed](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Graeme
Just leaving these unique celebrity baby names right here for you. Feel free to use any as inspiration.
![Jade Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Jade
In case you're wondering, these are some of the trendiest baby names in recent years.
![Ken Newborn looking up at mother, holding her finger](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Ken
![Monica Newborn looking up at mother](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Monica
![Greg Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Greg
![Kelly Newborn held on mother's lap](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Kelly
RELATED: Say goodbye to gender reveals: here's how to have a zodiac party instead.
![Brett Newborn looking up](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Brett
You might be surprised that this was once the most popular baby name ever.
![Jordan Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Jordan
SEE ALSO: Celebrity babies born in 2019.
![Kirk Newborn crying](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Kirk
![Carly Smiling newborn being held by mother](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Carly
![Grant Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Grant
![Danielle Newborn being held by mother in hospital bed](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Danielle
Before you come up with a name, get creative with ways to announce your pregnancy first.
![Carl Newborn lying on back](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Carl
![Sandra Newborn yawning](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Sandra
These, on the other hand, are the popular names right now.
![Piers Newborn looking up at parent with stunned look](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Piers
Need a different name for a boy? Here are an abundance to choose from.
![Caitlyn Newborn crying](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Caitlyn
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: These are the must-have baby items for every first-time parent.
![Marcos Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Marcos
![Kourtney Sleeping newborn](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Kourtney
Celebrity baby names we wish we thought of first.