Endangered Baby Names

One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties -- and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? -- now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.

Variant of Marianne or Maryann

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

Cool a few decades ago, along with Lori and Tori. Currently out of fashion but may make a retro tomboy choice as an offbeat spin on Charlie.

Prime pert-teenager name in midcentury TV shows, replaced by Maggie.

Rob has claimed Bob's turf.

Shaun might be thought of by some as a more feminine spelling of Sean, but in fact in the most recent year counted there were only six baby girls called Shaun and five called Sean, which makes this a no longer a unisex name by any reckoning. In its heyday in the early 70s, though, Shaun and Shawn were given much more frequently to baby girls. In all spellings, this is one of the rare names that's become more masculine over time.

Part of a group of similar midcentury names rarely given to babies today.

Somehow, the S versions are even more passe than the C's.

Fast-food chain, no longer a baby.

Occasionally used as an independent name, but why.

Short but substantial, Russ does not need the full-form Russell to go on the birth certificate. Russ strikes a nice balance between familiar, friendly, and underused.

See TRICIA.

This Corey variation is getting a fresh shot of style juice thanks to young It Girl Cory Kennedy (not to be confused with RFK daughter, filmmaker Rory Kennedy).

Not one but two Spice Girls are named Mel, which led to it briefly being more popular for girls than boys in the 90s and early 00s, but it has now fallen out of favor for both sexes.

Back in Patricia's midcentury heyday, Patty/Patti was the plebeian nickname while Tricia/Trisha and Tish/Trish carried a snobby-yet-insubstantial image associated with then First Daughter Tricia Nixon.