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Falling Stars

© Kristen Hanley Cardozo

Last week we covered names that seem to be increasing in popularity. This week we are going to look at names that have peaked or fallen in popularity. Although they are currently still popular, I predict that their popularity is waning, and it won’t be long before they go the way of Jennifer and Jason, the darlings of the eighties.

Girls’ Names
1. Samantha ~ The name of choice for the upwardly mobile during the 1990’s, Samantha seems to have peaked. I expect it to gradually get less popular as the decade goes on, perhaps changing demographics as well.
2. Jessica ~ Jessica has enjoyed a very, very long stint of popularity…it was number one for years. Now, however, it seems to be steadily dropping down the charts, like many of the ‘J’ names that gained so fast in the 1980’s.
3. Taylor ~ Taylor was a tremendously popular name between 1993 and 2000. In 2001 and 2002, however, Taylor took a dip. It isn’t a major dip, but for a top name to drop 9 ranks in just 2 years signifies the end of an era.
4. Kayla ~ Not yet out the running, but slowly oozing its way back down the charts, Kayla is a remnant of the 90’s obsession with “Kay” names for girls, like Caitlyn and Kaylie.
5. Victoria ~ The Queen is dead, long live the Queen. This imperial name is sliding gradually and grandly back down the charts.
6. Megan ~ A ubiquitous name when I was growing up, Megan just isn’t enjoying its old popularity.
7. Rachel ~ Any mileage this name got out of the sitcom Friends is used up. Rachel has been losing popularity gradually since 1996.
8. Destiny ~ A surprisingly popular name, Destiny is no longer destined to climb in popularity. It is starting its decline.
9. Nicole ~ Although Nicole is dropping fast down the charts as a first name, it has continued to gain in popularity as a middle name, if my stint as a baby names moderator is any clue.
10. Alexandra ~ I am not exactly sure why this name didn’t become even more popular than it did. However, it definitely seems to be on a downward cycle currently.

Boys’ Names
1. Nicholas ~ Nicholas won’t be relegated to obscurity any time soon, but it did experience a major drop in the top ten last year.
2. Tyler ~ Tyler is experiencing a slow trickle down in popularity. I don’t think it will by any means disappear, but I also think it is likely to drop a little farther before it stops.

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