EXPECTING A CHILD? Want to buck the trend and name your child something unusual?
We took a gander at the CSO’s data for the Top 100 babies’ names registered in 2014 and 1964, and identified some names that are in desperate need of a comeback.
(Note: none of the following names appeared in the Top 100 for 2014.)
1. Cornelius
Rank in 1964: 39
As fun and flamboyant as one of Prince’s purple suits. Plus it just rolls off the tongue: Cornelius.
2. Vincent
Ranking in 1964: 42
Don’t tell us you wouldn’t name your child after the country’s most beloved crank.
3. Colin
Ranking in 1964: n/a
There are many Colins in their 20s/30s/40s. But for some reason, it has become uncool again. #BringBackColin
4. Ann/Anne
Ranking in 1964: 4 and 5, respectively
Ann/Anne was one of the most popular names back in the 60s. Back then, it was so dominant that it occupied two spots in the top five. Now, however? Nowhere to be seen.
Anne Doyle is disgusted.
5. Catherine
Ranking in 1964: 2
Fact: Catherine is a really versatile name. You can either keep it long or shorten it to Kate, Katie, Cathy, Kitty… it’s basically five names in one! And yet it’s fallen out of favour.
Time for a revival, we say.
6. Francis
Rank in 1964: 16
BRB, getting emotional about the name Frank going out of fashion.
7. Bridget
Ranking in 1964: 8
Don’t try and tell us that Bridie isn’t a cute name for a little girl. In fact, we’d be willing to bet the house on hipsters naming their babies Bridie in a few years.
8. Rita
Ranking in 1964: 59
Ritas are sharp shooters and always good for a bit of gossip. We need more Ritas.
9. Joan
Ranking in 1964: 31
Joan: the name of a million Mams, aunts and grannys. And yet it’s not “cool” or “in vogue” anymore. What gives, Ireland? Have we forgotten about Joan Rivers/Joan of Arc/Joan Collins?
Joan’s a deadly name.
10. Maurice
Ranking in 1964: 51
People of Ireland, I don’t mean to alarm you, but men named Mossy/Mossie/Moss are becoming an endangered species. Please name your firstborn son Maurice and ensure this doesn’t happen.
11. Jacinta
Jacinta is pretty much the sassiest girl’s name of all-time and yet its popularity is dwindling rapidly.
12. Sharon
Ranking in 1964: 39
Ireland has produced many great Sharons over the years — Sharon Ní Bheoláin, Sharon Shannon, Sharon Horgan. And yet the name is completely absent from the Top 100 Girls’ Names of 2014.
For shame, Ireland.
13. Trevor
Ranking in 1964: 100
Trevs are sound, reliable and can chat to anyone in the pub. Trevor is solid. More Trevors, please.
14. Stephen
Ranking in 1964: 25
It’s hard to imagine a world without Stephens, but IT COULD HAPPEN.
Think it’s old-fashioned/boring? The most famous basketball player in the world right now is named Stephen, so you couldn’t be more wrong.
15. Angela
Ranking in 1964: 24
If nothing else, Angie is a class nickname.
16. Carmel
Ranking in 1964: 21
Ireland has a longstanding tradition of producing aunties named Carmel. Let’s keep this tradition alive, yeah?
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