50 Baby Names from the Boomer Era on the Decline

Once Beloved, Now Rare: The Quiet Disappearance of Boomer Names
The names that once filled classrooms, dinner tables, and office directories across America are slowly disappearing from birth certificates. As the Baby Boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) continues to age, many of the names that defined their era are vanishing from use. Once-trendy choices like Debra, Gary, and Donna have become uncommon among today’s youngest generation, Gen Alpha. What was once familiar and widespread now feels nostalgic or even old-fashioned.

In this list, we highlight 50 once-popular names that are now nearing extinction. These are the names that once echoed across playgrounds and PTA meetings but have since fallen out of favor with modern parents.

Methodology:
To identify these fading names, we analyzed historical baby name data from the U.S. Social Security Administration. We compared the average annual usage of each name during the Baby Boomer years (1946–1964) with its frequency in more recent years (2010–2023). Names that were once common but have since dropped to fewer than 1 in every 10,000 newborns during the recent period made the cut. The result: a snapshot of generational change through the lens of naming trends.

50. Sheila

Names per capita, 1946-64: 17.6 per 10,000 newborns (131,739 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,821 total)

49. Cathy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -17.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 17.6 per 10,000 newborns (131,739 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (583 total)

48. Sherry

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -17.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 17.8 per 10,000 newborns (133,296 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (747 total)

47. Willie

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -17.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 18.6 per 10,000 newborns (139,595 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,858 total)

46. Gail

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -18.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 18.4 per 10,000 newborns (137,663 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.0 per 10,000 newborns (242 total)

45. Lynn

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -18.4 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 18.6 per 10,000 newborns (139,705 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,433 total)

44. Carl

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -18.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 19.5 per 10,000 newborns (146,034 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 1.0 per 10,000 newborns (5,203 total)

43. Kim

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -18.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 18.9 per 10,000 newborns (141,274 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.2 per 10,000 newborns (872 total)

42. Dale

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -18.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 19.3 per 10,000 newborns (144,821 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,148 total)

41. Martha

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.0 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 20.0 per 10,000 newborns (149,859 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 1.0 per 10,000 newborns (5,320 total)

40. Peggy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.2 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 19.2 per 10,000 newborns (143,930 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (297 total)

39. Cindy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 20.0 per 10,000 newborns (149,529 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,664 total)

38. Paula

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.4 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 20.3 per 10,000 newborns (151,824 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,759 total)

37. Joan

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 20.2 per 10,000 newborns (151,685 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,943 total)

36. Debbie

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -19.8 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 19.9 per 10,000 newborns (148,940 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (397 total)

35. Gerald

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -20.0 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 20.7 per 10,000 newborns (155,174 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,892 total)

34. Wayne

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -20.2 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 21.0 per 10,000 newborns (157,305 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,358 total)

33. Ann

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -20.8 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 21.5 per 10,000 newborns (161,014 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,637 total)

32. Lori

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -21.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 21.7 per 10,000 newborns (162,384 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,817 total)

31. Theresa

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -21.6 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 22.1 per 10,000 newborns (165,698 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.5 per 10,000 newborns (2,772 total)

30. Connie

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -21.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 22.0 per 10,000 newborns (165,090 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.2 per 10,000 newborns (949 total)

29. Beverly

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -22.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 23.0 per 10,000 newborns (171,974 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,240 total)

28. Betty

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -26.1 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 26.6 per 10,000 newborns (199,077 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.5 per 10,000 newborns (2,551 total)

27. Denise

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -26.6 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 27.4 per 10,000 newborns (205,042 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,134 total)

26. Joyce

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -26.6 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 27.4 per 10,000 newborns (205,578 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,254 total)

25. Shirley

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -26.8 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 27.3 per 10,000 newborns (204,214 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,264 total)

24. Christine

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -27.1 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 27.9 per 10,000 newborns (209,226 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,617 total)

23. Judith

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -27.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 28.7 per 10,000 newborns (214,823 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,208 total)

22. Judy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -30.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 30.6 per 10,000 newborns (229,275 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,870 total)

21. Janice

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -30.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 30.9 per 10,000 newborns (231,604 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,163 total)

20. Carolyn

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -32.2 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 33.0 per 10,000 newborns (247,138 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,386 total)

19. Kathy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -33.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 34.1 per 10,000 newborns (255,132 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,669 total)

18. Janet

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -37.8 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 38.3 per 10,000 newborns (286,637 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,288 total)

17. Cheryl

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -40.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 40.8 per 10,000 newborns (305,748 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (761 total)

16. Terry

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -42.1 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 43.1 per 10,000 newborns (322,626 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (5,089 total)

15. Lisa

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -43.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 44.2 per 10,000 newborns (331,140 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,626 total)

14. Diane

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -47.0 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 47.2 per 10,000 newborns (353,852 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,368 total)

13. Brenda

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -50.2 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 51.1 per 10,000 newborns (382,630 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,884 total)

12. Kathleen

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -50.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 51.8 per 10,000 newborns (387,962 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,794 total)

11. Pamela

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -52.3 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 52.7 per 10,000 newborns (394,755 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,346 total)

10. Carol

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -55.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 56.2 per 10,000 newborns (421,358 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.3 per 10,000 newborns (1,721 total)

9. Sharon

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -57.6 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 58.3 per 10,000 newborns (436,776 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,658 total)

8. Debra

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -59.8 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 59.9 per 10,000 newborns (448,951 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.1 per 10,000 newborns (703 total)

7. Sandra

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -64.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 65.8 per 10,000 newborns (492,854 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,617 total)

6. Nancy

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -65.6 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 66.6 per 10,000 newborns (498,829 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (5,041 total)

5. Donna

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -65.9 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 66.3 per 10,000 newborns (496,491 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.4 per 10,000 newborns (2,080 total)

4. Deborah

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -77.0 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 77.8 per 10,000 newborns (583,059 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,575 total)

3. Barbara

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -83.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 84.5 per 10,000 newborns (633,277 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.8 per 10,000 newborns (4,429 total)

2. Susan

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -99.5 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 100.2 per 10,000 newborns (751,008 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.7 per 10,000 newborns (3,967 total)

1. Patricia

Decline in names per capita, 1946-64 to 2010-23: -104.7 per 10,000 newborns
Names per capita, 1946-64: 105.5 per 10,000 newborns (790,529 total)
Names per capita, 2010-23: 0.9 per 10,000 newborns (4,580 total)