Naming your baby can be a momentous decision. The internet is rife with articles on choosing a baby name and how a particular name can significantly impact your child's future. In some cases, baby naming can mean big business—as noted in a June 2024 report from Business Insider, dedicated baby name consultants can charge up to $10,000 to help you decide what to call your kid.

Should you pick a popular name, or a rare one?

While spending $10,000 for a unique baby name may not be in everyone's budget, research does prove that names are, in fact, important. There are some perennially popular picks, like Olivia and Liam—the two most common baby names for six years running, according to 2025 data from the Social Security Administration—but names can also reflect shifts in pop culture and parents' priorities. For instance, a February 2026 report from Today notes that "showgirl" names like Farrah, Roxie, and Marilyn are growing more popular in the wake of Taylor Swift's October 2025 album "The Life of a Showgirl." Meanwhile, names from ancient civilizations, like Aztlan, Aurelian, and Olympia. are also increasing in use as parents look to channel their heritage.

🍼 Read more: The most unusual baby names in each state

100 names that are a true hidden gem

For those seeking a more unusual name for their newborn, this list of 100 baby names going extinct is a good place to start. We calculated the average annual rank for baby names from 1880 to 2015 using the Social Security Administration's historical archives of baby names. Then we compared it to where those names were placed in 2016. Our list focuses on classically popular names that historically ranked in the top 1,500 names. From Wanda to Wilton, find the top 50 vintage boys and girls' names flying out of fashion.