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Extinct Baby Names

If you're hoping to find a list of wonderful extinct baby names ready for revival, keep looking. What we have here are extinct names that were commonly used for babies a century ago, but today have faded from use for reasons that may be obvious.

Perhaps it was not difficult to be named Nimrod or Elmo in 1920, but those names would be difficult for any child to carry today. Some of these baby names have gone extinct because of changes in slang, some because of changes in values or unpleasant associations.

Whatever the reason, many of these extinct baby names should probably stay extinct. Read the list for a laugh -- did people really do that?!? -- but if you're looking for a lovely antique baby name, keep looking.

For even more choices, see our blog on Extinct Names.

Bess

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Diminutive of Elizabeth
2227
Merle

Meaning: blackbird

Origin:French
4055
Nan Nan is a name of English origin and the mean...
Origin:English, diminutive of Nancy
4369
Tish Tish is an elegant and short name traditiona...
Origin:Diminutive of Patricia or Letitia
4628
Peg

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
6601
Marge Traditionally, Marge is a name chosen for ba...
Origin:American
8202
Moe

Meaning: delivered

Origin:English, diminutive of Moses
2520
Bertie Bertie has been derived from the name 'Berah...
Origin:Diminutive of Albert, Bertram etc
1377
Gaylord

Meaning: brisk, high-spirited

Origin:French
1292
Hyman

Meaning: life

Origin:Anglicized variation of Chaim
2606
Bart

Meaning: son of the earth

Origin:Diminutive of Bartholomew, Hebrew, "son of the earth"
1567
Doll

Meaning: foolish, mad, strong, ditch

Origin:German or English surname
14361
Paddy The name Paddy is of Irish origin. The meani...
Origin:Irish, diminutive of Patrick
4042
Val As per its English origins, the meaning of V...
Origin:Diminutive of Valentina, Valerie, etc
5643
Terry An abbreviation of Terrance, the meaning of ...
Origin:English, diminutive of Theresa
7012
Willie The name Willie is of German origins and it ...
Origin:German
9269
Wilkie

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:Scottish surname from a diminutive of William
3545
Origin:English
5662
Bob

Meaning: bright fame

Origin:English, diminutive of Robert
1218
Diggory

Meaning: Lost one

Origin:French
2031