At a Glance
- BabyCenter’s new report lists Harry, Ezra, and Danielle among names most at risk of disappearing in 2026
- Non-traditional spellings like Charleigh and Alivia and place-names such as London and Boston are plummeting
- Why it matters: Parents scanning playgrounds for fresh inspiration will see fewer of these once-popular picks
BabyCenter’s latest analysis warns that several familiar names could virtually vanish from birth certificates next year. After tracking the 1,000 most-used monikers, the site found sharp drops that signal a generational reset.
Names on the Extinction List
The fastest fallers from 2024 to 2025 include:
- Harry
- Ezra
- Danielle
- Huxley
- Grady
- Rey
- Corey
- Charleigh
- Alivia
- Maddison
- Emmitt
- London
- Dallas
- Malaysia
- Boston
- Dominic
- Dev
- Kylian
- Karim
- Dylan
- Kenna
- Kinley
Each slid far enough that BabyCenter classifies them as “at risk of going extinct” for 2026.
Why These Names Are Falling
Three clear patterns emerged in the data:
- Creative spellings are out. Parents are walking away from swapped letters and extra vowels, making Charleigh and Alivia far less common than Charlie and Olivia.
- Geographic inspiration is cooling. Once-trendy city and country tags-London, Dallas, Malaysia, Boston-no longer feel fresh.
- Boys’ names ending in “y” are down. The final-sound fade hits everything from Huxley to Harry.
Initials matter too. Names beginning with D or K collectively lost ground, dragging down Danielle, Dylan, Dominic, Dev, Kenna, Kinley, Kylian and Karim.
What’s Rising Instead
Professional baby-name consultant Colleen Slagen told News Of Losangeles last month that parents are pivoting toward:
- Short, four-letter names that feel “effortlessly cool and nickname-proof”
- Girls: Indi, Gwen, Lana, Alba
- Boys: Luca (or Luka), Rome, Elio, Dean, Bode
- Andi Anderson names-female spins on traditionally male picks
- Examples: Andie, Drew, Bennie, Dylan, Logan, Stevie
Slagen credits millennial nostalgia for Kate Hudson’s How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days character Andi Anderson, saying the homage is “influencing our baby naming.” She notes that “boy moms are not loving the encroachment,” yet predicts the crossover trend will keep growing.
Key Takeaways
- Expect 2026 nurseries to host fewer Harrys, Ezras, and Danielles
- Streamlined spellings and gender-crossover choices are the new normal
- If BabyCenter’s forecast holds, playgrounds will sound noticeably different by year’s end
