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Courtney Pochin & edinburghlive Administrator

The UK baby names that have become extinct and those set to become 'endangered'

If you know a Barry, Beverely, Gail, Gertrude or Graeme; enjoy their company while you can.

New research has revealed a list of the ‘extinct’ baby names cast aside by parents since 1994, with some extremely popular monikers going the way of the dinosaurs.

According to language-learning platform Babbel, once common names - those appearing among the top 100 between 1914 and 1994 - are now falling away from frequent use.

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And some have disappeared altogether, with no baby Berthas or Nigels born in the latest 12 months of data.

Babbel also warned a host of other popular choices for new parents are at risk of becoming 'endangered' due to declining numbers.

Research by the firm uncovered the names which have become extinct since 1994, are Graeme, Horace, Iain, Leigh, Melvyn, Nigel and Royston for boys.

And for girls, the list includes Bertha, Beverley, Carol, Carole, Doreen, Gail, Gertrude, Gillian, Glenys, Glynis, Hilary, Jeanette, Jill, Kay, Kerry, Lesley, Lindsay, Lyndsey, Lynne, Lynsey, Mandy, Maureen, Muriel, Phyllis.

Experts told the Daily Mirror the influence of "popular culture" formed one facet of the complex number of reasons why certain names become less fashionable.

Dr Harry Parkin, Editor of The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain, added: “Exactly why certain names become especially frequent and why certain names die out is very complex. Sometimes, certain vocabulary will be used because it is seen as prestigious.

"Popular culture is certainly a relevant aspect. Or, certain vocabulary might be used in certain groups and communities. Vocabulary use (and indeed other aspects of language use) is therefore linked with a sense of identity."

There were many more monikers Babbel considered to be 'endangered', which were those featured in the top 100 between 1914-1994 but 10 or fewer babies with the name recorded in 2020 - the last year for which complete data is available.

The at-risk names for girls were Annette, Beryl, Brenda, Carolyn, Cheryl, Dawn, Debbie, Debra, Denise, Diane, Donna, Doris, Edna, Freda, Geraldine, Gladys, Gwendoline, Hilda, Janet, Janice, Jean, Jordan, Kirsty, Lindsey, Lorraine, Lynda, Lynn, Marian, Marion, Marjorie, Marlene, Maud, Mildred, Norma, Pamela, Pauline, Sheila, Shirley, Suzanne, Thelma, Tracey, Tracy, Toni and Yvonne.

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Meanwhile, for boys, there were hardly any in 2020 named Barry, Cecil, Clarence, Claude, Clifford, Cyril, Dale, Donald, Gary, Garry, Glen, Glenn, Gordon, Graham, Howard, Keith, Leslie, Neville, Norman, Rodney, Stewart, Stuart and Trevor.

Speaking about the findings, Ted Mentele, Editor in Didactics at Babbel, said: "Naming practices form the basis of all language as well as the basis of identity. The fact that the etymological roots of these names can be traced back to different languages and cultures from around the world shows how languages have impacted on each other over time.

"We hope that by drawing attention to the overlooked roots and intriguing meanings of these endangered names, we can give them a new lease of life for the next generation, and save them from being forgotten.”

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