Many new parents are eager to choose unique and rare names for their offspring. To achieve this, some are reviving older names that have become less popular, leading to a resurgence in vintage ‘old-lady’ names.
QR Code Generator analysed data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on the top 100 baby girl names in 1924, comparing them to the most recent ONS data on baby girl names to determine which of these nearly century-old monikers are the most and least popular today. The most favoured vintage baby name for girls is Lily, with 2,290 baby girls in the UK named Lily in 2023 – more than any other vintage baby girl name.
Continuing the nature theme, Ivy was the second most popular, with 1,997 girls named Ivy in 2023.
In third place, trends deviated from the floral and nature theme, with 1,899 girls being named Florence.
However, some names have completely vanished despite their vintage status. Phyllis, Pauline and Gertrude have become extinct in the UK, with no babies receiving any of these three names.
Doreen, Muriel and Brenda are the second rarest century-old baby girl names in the UK today, with only three baby girls each given these names in 2023.
Top 10 most popular 100 year old baby girl names in the UK
Vintage baby girl name (1924) and number of baby girls born with the name (2023)
1. Lily – 2,290
2. Ivy – 1,997
3. Florence – 1,899
4. Evelyn – 1,673
5. Elsie – 1,662
6. Daisy – 1,585
7. Grace – 1,541
8. Emily – 1,280
9. Ada – 1,089
10. Ruby – 1,059
Top 10 rarest 100 year old baby girl names in the UK
Vintage baby girl name (1924) and number of baby girls born with the name (2023)
1= Phyllis – 0
1= Pauline – 0
1= Gertrude – 0
2= Doreen – 3
2= Muriel – 3
2= Brenda – 3
3 Sheila – 4
4. Beryl – 5
5= Marjorie – 6
5= Thelma – 6
6. Maureen – 7
7= Gladys – 8
7= Hilda – 8
7= Marion – 8
8= Doris – 9
8= Edna – 9
8= Pamela – 9
8= Mildred – 9
9. Gwendoline – 10
10. Janet – 11