Endangered Baby Names

Better known than it would otherwise be thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep.

Pitt is the prototypical blond Brad.

Pitt is the prototypical blond Brad.

Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.

Like Benita, had some popularity in the fifties.

A long-popular name, particularly among the African-American community, Keisha was first publicized by the child actress, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who starred on the old Cosby Show. It entered the US Top 1000 in 1967 and remained there for 30 years, but it hasn't featured again since 1997.

This short form of classic Victor is popular in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Nicky is a forever-cute short form of Nicholas once used as a full name but now relegated to nickname (no pun intended) status.

Suzie (and Susie) was the one of the It Nicknames of midcentury America, right up there with Debbie and Kathy.

Kris was once the ultimate cool cheerleader name, but now she's more likely to be a matriarch ala Kris Jenner.

The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.

So far out it's almost ready to be let back in.

Despite the voluptuous doll's various career choices, from astronaut to doctor, her name still remains a euphemism for "bimbo".

Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.

When President LBJ's daughter Linda Bird changed the spelling of her name to Lynda, she set a trend for spelling adventurism that's still rippling through the name world today.