Names That Are Disappearing the Fastest

August 23, 2018 by Steven M. Peters

To paraphrase Yogi Berra, nobody chooses that name anymore, it’s too popular. As counterintuitive as it may seem, too much exposure can make even long-cherished names drop out of favor with new parents.

Each child is unique, especially in the eyes of doting parents. No one wants to shout a warning across the playground only to see five kids with the same moniker freeze in their tracks. Many popular names may have lost popularity just for that reason.

Despite some attempts by parents to differentiate names by customizing familiar ones through different spelling, the bloom is simply off certain names.

Names can lose their luster for other reasons, of course. Why saddle a kid with a name people struggle to pronounce? Pop stars, athletes, and public figures such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant boost the visibility of certain names. But as careers wax and wane, naming fads fade along with them.

And parents are likely to avoid tagging their little ones with a handle associated with scandals or bad news. The popularity of the name Katrina declined after the hurricane by that name devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005.

Click here to see girls’ names that are disappearing the fastest.
Click here to see boys’ names that are disappearing the fastest.

To identify the names that are disappearing the fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in popularity of boy and girl names between 2013 and 2017. We compared separately boy and girl names by calculating the annual average change in ranking for each name.

These names have the largest decline in ranking. Only names that were both inside the top 1,000 most popular names in 2013 and outside the top 200 most popular names in 2017 were considered. To be considered a name’s popularity ranking also needed to have decreased by at least 20 places between 2013 and 2017.

All data was obtained from the Social Security Administration, which publishes data for names with five or more occurrences. Different spellings of similar names were considered as different names.

Girls’ Names That Are Disappearing the Fastest

25. Ally
> Girls named Ally in 2013: 458 (609th most popular)
> Girls named Ally in 2017: 213 (1,154th most popular)
> Pictured: Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal

Ally has fallen out of favor in recent years, but that doesn’t mean the name has gone away. Chances are you, your kid, or a relative, friend, or colleague knows an Ally. Ally has slipped, but Allison (No. 60 in 2017), Alison (No. 382), and Allyson (No. 490) are likely making up for Ally’s decline with their prominent appearances on the SSA list in 2017.

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24. Britney
> Girls named Britney in 2013: 313 (839th most popular)
> Girls named Britney in 2017: 137 (1,585th most popular)
> Pictured: Singer Britney Spears

The spelling favored by the one-time pop idol Britney Spears has plummeted in popularity. In 2000, around the time Spears was garnering Billboard, MTV, and other awards, her name clocked in at No. 137 on the SSA top 1,000 chart. 2013 was the last year the name appeared among the top 1,000. However, the similarly spelled Brittany, like the region in northwest France, stands at No. 712 as of 2017. Who knew there were so many geography buffs (or Francophiles) out there.

23. Anabel
> Girls named Anabel in 2013: 285 (897th most popular)
> Girls named Anabel in 2017: 120 (1,744th most popular)
> Pictured: Tennis player Anabel Medina Garrigues

A case of survival of the fittest? Or have parents reached a consensus on spelling? Three variations of this name — Anabel, Anabelle, and Annabell — are doing a disappearing act, while a fourth, Annabelle, remains strong as the No. 118th most popular girl name, with more 2017 namesakes than the other three combined. However, even Annabelle could be on the way out as its popularity has dropped nearly in half since 2014, when the horror movie “Annabelle” was released.

22. Megan
> Girls named Megan in 2013: 1,244 (254th most popular)
> Girls named Megan in 2017: 624 (499th most popular)
> Pictured: Actress Megan Fox

Megan ranked as high as No. 18 in 2000, but the name has dropped in popularity since. Could the name be ready for a comeback? The name has been on everyone’s lips in recent months, because of the newly minted duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The former actress spells her name differently, of course, but parents are known for coining variations for their new arrival, such as Meagan, Meegan, and Meagan.

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21. Kyleigh
> Girls named Kyleigh in 2013: 1,108 (287th most popular)
> Girls named Kyleigh in 2017: 524 (572nd most popular)
> Pictured: Model Kyleigh Kuhn

There’s a lot to like about Kyleigh. It has positive meanings in Hawaiian (beautiful spirit), Gaelic (handsome or beautiful), and even Urban Dictionary (the dopest kind of people). And the male version, Kyle, is also still holding strong at No. 211. However, parents aren’t feeling the love for the name, with fewer than 50% as many girls named Kyleigh in 2017 versus 2013. Maybe it will live up to its aboriginal meaning and “boomerang” back to popularity.

20. Kourtney
> Girls named Kourtney in 2013: 301 (857th most popular)
> Girls named Kourtney in 2017: 122 (1,725th most popular)
> Pictured: (C) Reality star Kourtney Kardashian

Could our fascination with all things Kardashian be coming to an end? Kourtney made 10 appearances on SSA’s top 1,000 list this century, before dropping off after 2013. The more conventional spelling, Courtney, has been a steady presence on the list for years, reaching its peak popularity in 2000 when 5,239 baby girls were so named. But even this more standard spelling is tapped less frequently these days, with just 276 Courtneys arriving on the scene in 2017.

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19. Kaylin
> Girls named Kaylin in 2013: 662 (462th most popular)
> Girls named Kaylin in 2017: 281 (933rd most popular)
> Pictured: Reality star Kaylin Garcia

No matter how you spell it, parents tend to steer clear of controversy when choosing a moniker for their little one. Names that sound the same get caught in the fallout. For example, the year following Caitlyn Jenner’s announcement of her new name and of being transgender in 2015, the name’s ranking dropped significantly. Kaylin, a different name, also took a steep plunge.

18. Bryn
> Girls named Bryn in 2013: 337 (801st most popular)
> Girls named Bryn in 2017: 131 (1,644th most popular)
> Pictured: Bryn is Welsh for “hill”

Bryn is the name of several towns in England, Wales, Pennsylvania, California, and Minnesota. Once you know that Bryn is a Welsh word for “hill,” you can also picture the landscapes of those towns. The name Bryn has dropped over 800 places in popularity from 2013 to 2017 with just 131 baby girls so named last year.

17. Anabelle
> Girls named Anabelle in 2013: 664 (459th most popular)
> Girls named Anabelle in 2017: 266 (973rd most popular)
> Pictured: (L) Diver Anabelle Smith

Just like Anabel and Annabell (both also on our list), this spelling Anabelle is losing popularity. The spelling Annabelle, though, holds on at No. 118 most popular girl name, with more 2017 namesakes than the other three combined. The 2014 horror movie “Annabelle” is likely not helping the popularity of either spelling.

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16. Kylee
> Girls named Kylee in 2013: 1,861 (171st most popular)
> Girls named Kylee in 2017: 853 (362nd most popular)
> Pictured: War vet Geraldine Corn poses for photo with Kylee McGrath

This version of Kyleigh has hit a slump. Though the male version, Kyle, is holding strong at No. 211, parents aren’t feeling the love for Kylee, with fewer than 50% as many girls receiving the name in 2017 versus 2013.

15. Annabell
> Girls named Annabell in 2013: 265 (955th most popular)
> Girls named Annabell in 2017: 96 (2,030th most popular)
> Pictured: Golfer Annabell Dimmock

Annabell and the spelling variations Anabel and Anabelle are all losing in popularity, even as Annabelle remains the 118th most popular girl name. Maybe parents have reached a consensus on spelling.

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14. Jayden
> Girls named Jayden in 2013: 695 (438th most popular)
> Girls named Jayden in 2017: 281 (935th most popular)
> Pictured: Model Jayden Robison

You’ll encounter both boys and girls named Jayden, but there are fewer newly minted Jaydens than there once were. The name still ranks a healthy No. 26 among boys, but that’s a steep drop from the No. 4 slot it occupied in 2010 and 2011. The name was never as popular for girls, peaking at No. 172 most popular in 2007 and has tumbled to No. 933.

13. Makayla
> Girls named Makayla in 2013: 3,287 (94th most popular)
> Girls named Makayla in 2017: 1,492 (205th most popular)
> Pictured: Makayla Gilliam-Price of the documentary ‘Baltimore Rising’

Parents looking for a feminine version of Michael have no shortage of spellings to choose from. In 2017 alone, you could pick from among Michaela (No. 519), Mikayla (No. 392), McKayla (No. 877), or even Kayla (No. 138). Most of these variations enjoyed their greatest popularity around the turn of the millennium, and all have declined since then. None, however, has slid further—or more quickly—than Makayla, which was in 37th place in 2008.

12. Neriah
> Girls named Neriah in 2013: 267 (943rd most popular)
> Girls named Neriah in 2017: 94 (2,066th most popular)
> Pictured: Musical artist Neriah Fisher

The name Neriah has deep roots from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. Though Neriah of the Bible was male, the moniker enjoyed short-lived popularity as a baby girl name earlier this millennium. It’s quickly faded since then, with Neriah out of the top 1,000 since 2015.

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11. Kendra
> Girls named Kendra in 2013: 1,721 (188th most popular)
> Girls named Kendra in 2017: 734 (431st most popular)
> Pictured: Hurdler Kendra Harrison

Kendra has made more than a few pop culture appearances in the past couple of decades, which may have been sufficient to propel the name into the top 1,000 popular girl names every year this century. From Kendra Young on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” in 1997 to Dumbledore’s mother, Kendra, to DC’s Hawkgirl Kendra Saunders to Kendra Shaw in “Battlestar Galactica” and beyond, Kendra is a mainstay in fiction, though fewer parents are choosing the name.

10. Alexia
> Girls named Alexia in 2013: 1,826 (175th most popular)
> Girls named Alexia in 2017: 768 (412nd most popular)
> Pictured: Soccer player Alexia Putellas

Because of Amazon, Alexa may be the name some of us utter most often in the course of the day, but its close relative Alexia is far from popular with from parents. Alex-based names are in no danger of disappearing, however. There are still plenty of girls called Alexandra, Alexandria, Alexis, and yes, Alexa, coming into the world each year.

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9. Miley
> Girls named Miley in 2013: 800 (388th most popular)
> Girls named Miley in 2017: 285 (922nd most popular)
> Pictured: Singer Miley Cyrus

Is Miley’s slide down the list of popular name another example of caution in the face of controversy? Though the name lost popularity from 2013 to 2017, Miley may actually be on the way up. Miley first appeared among the 1,000 most popular names in 2007, the year after the television show “Hannah Montana” made Miley Cyrus a star, and the name remained there till 2014 even as public opinion and popularity fluctuated. The name dropped from the top 1,000 in 2015 and 2016, but made the cut once again in 2017.

8. Kiley
> Girls named Kiley in 2013: 558 (533rd most popular)
> Girls named Kiley in 2017: 183 (1,274th most popular)
> Pictured: Skier Kiley McKinnon

Like Kyleigh and Kylee, there’s not as much interest in the name Kiley as there once was. Perhaps unsurprisingly, parents are opting for another variation, Kylie — as in media star Kylie Jenner and vocalist Kylie Minogue. This spelling continues to be popular at No. 114 (though it’s down from No. 61 in 2013).

7. Kaitlyn
> Girls named Kaitlyn in 2013: 2,377 (134th most popular)
> Girls named Kaitlyn in 2017: 929 (345th most popular)
> Pictured: Actress Kaitlyn Dever

Like similar spelling of the name also on our list, it’s likely that the popularity of the name Kaitlyn suffered from being associated with controversy — specifically Caitlyn Jenner’s coming out as transgender in 2015. The popularity of similar sounding names with various spellings has taken a hit as well.

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6. Katelynn
> Girls named Katelynn in 2013: 618 (486th most popular)
> Girls named Katelynn in 2017: 184 (1,267th most popular)
> Pictured: (L) Influencer Katelynn Ansari

Katelynn’s popularity plummeted from 486th in 2013, when 618 baby girls were so named, to 1,267th in 2017, when the parents of only 184 girls chose the name. Like similar spellings of the name, Katelynn’s popularity likely declined because it was similar to Caitlyn, the name Caitlyn Jenner selected when she came out as transgender in 2015.

5. Jaylah
> Girls named Jaylah in 2013: 1,365 (234th most popular)
> Girls named Jaylah in 2017: 484 (618th most popular)
> Pictured: Jaylah from “Star Trek Beyond” played by Sofia Boutella

At one time Jaylah was a close rival to the shorter styling of Jayla. But in our busy lives, who has the time to input an extra letter if there’s a perfectly fine shortcut? Jaylah has come a long way down since it peaked at the 234th spot in 2013. Jayla’s 2017 score of No. 238 is also down from a 2006 high of No. 99.

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4. Caitlyn
> Girls named Caitlyn in 2013: 753 (406th most popular)
> Girls named Caitlyn in 2017: 227 (1,100th most popular)
> Pictured: (L) TV personality Caitlyn Jenner

Parents tend to steer clear of controversy in choosing a moniker for their little one. One example: In the year following Caitlyn Jenner’s announcement of her new name and coming out as transgender in 2015, the name’s ranking dropped significantly. The name Caitlyn plunged, with fewer than one-third as many girls receiving the name.

3. Katelyn
> Girls named Katelyn in 2013: 2,147 (143rd most popular)
> Girls named Katelyn in 2017: 760 (415th most popular)
> Pictured: Jockey Katelyn Mallyon

No matter how you spell it, parents are averse to controversy in picking a name for their child. Names that sound the same get caught in the fallout. In the year after Caitlyn Jenner’s transgender announcement and new name, the name’s ranking tumbled. That plunge also took along Katelyn, which dove in popularity to 415th in 2017 from 143rd four years earlier.

2. Caitlin
> Girls named Caitlin in 2013: 653 (469th most popular)
> Girls named Caitlin in 2017: 159 (1,429th most popular)
> Pictured: Actors John Stamos and Caitlin McHugh

No matter how you spell it, parents try to avoid controversy when selecting a moniker for their child. One example: In the year following Caitlyn Jenner’s announcement of her new name and coming out as transgender, the name’s ranking dropped steeply; Caitlin fell more than 800 slots on the SSA list since 2015. That plunge also took down a variety of alternative spellings including Katelyn, Caitlyn, Katelynn, Kaitlyn, and the similar Kaylin.

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1. Isis
> Girls named Isis in 2013: 500 (575th most popular)
> Girls named Isis in 2017: 51 (3,143rd most popular)
> Pictured: Isis on old natural Papyrus from Egypt

Isis held a positive meaning for millennia. She was the Egyptian goddess of fertility, motherhood, and medicine. The name has made pop culture appearances, too, from a superhero in an eponymously named TV show in the 1970s to a cheerleader played by Gabrielle Union in the 2000 movie “Bring It On.” Unfortunately, Isis has toppled from her pedestal because of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, aka ISIS.

Boys’ Names That Are Disappearing the Fastest

25. Channing
> Boys named Channing in 2013: 470 (559th most popular)
> Boys named Channing in 2017: 231 (913th most popular)
> Pictured: Actors Channing Tatum and Bradley Cooper

The name Channing entered Social Security’s list of the top 1,000 most popular male baby names in 2010. It reached the height of its popularity when 511 baby boys were dubbed Channing in 2012. That’s the same year actor Channing Tatum was selected as People magazine’s sexiest man alive. Coincidence? Maybe not. By 2017, fewer than half as many little Channings came into the world.

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24. Braden
> Boys named Braden in 2013: 964 (335th most popular)
> Boys named Braden in 2017: 505 (547th most popular)
> Pictured: Hockey player Braden Holtby

Braden shares the same pronunciation with a bevy of contenders. But apparently all variations are not created equal in the eyes of proud new parents. In the most recent stats, Braeden is the biggest loser, dropping more than 400 positions over the decade since its 2005 high (No. 322). Braden is runner up, slipping more than 350 places since its 2001 glory days (No. 191). Braydon topped at No. 311 (2009). Brayden is the clear favorite in this spelling bee, hitting a high of No. 36 (2011) and still hanging in there at No. 72 in 2017.

23. Peyton
> Boys named Peyton in 2013: 1,844 (208th most popular)
> Boys named Peyton in 2017: 992 (339th most popular)
> Pictured: Quarterback Peyton Manning

One problem with calling your baby boy Peyton is the likelihood that his grandmother will forever associate the moniker with “Peyton Place,” the primetime soap opera that made a star of the young Mia Farrow in the 1960s. Another drawback is that Peyton is far more popular for baby girls. The name Peyton had received a boost earlier this millennium because of the exploits of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.

22. Jaydon
> Boys named Jaydon in 2013: 300 (756th most popular)
> Boys named Jaydon in 2017: 145 (1,253rd most popular)
> Pictured: Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens

You’ll encounter both boys and girls named Jayden, but there are fewer newly minted boys named Jaydon among us than there once were. There were 145 boys named Jaydon in 2017, compared with 300 four years earlier. The name slid to the 1,253rd position on the SSA list, from 756 in 2013.

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21. Jaden
> Boys named Jaden in 2013: 2,783 (141st most popular)
> Boys named Jaden in 2017: 1,627 (233rd most popular)
> Pictured: Performer Jaden Smith

It’s probably not a coincidence that Jaden peaked in popularity at No. 74 in 2007, a year after 8-year-old actor/singer Jaden Smith appeared in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Smith also presented the Oscar for best short film at the 2007 Academy Awards ceremony. As of 2017, Jaden clocked in at No. 233, its lowest position since at least 1999.

20. Drake
> Boys named Drake in 2013: 1,216 (284th most popular)
> Boys named Drake in 2017: 638 (469th most popular)
> Pictured: Recording artist Drake

The popularity of baby names often seems to track the ups and downs of the celebrities who may have brought the monikers to wider public attention and possibly even inspired parents’ choices. That’s not the case with Drake — the pop hip-hop star has had a string of top 10 hits on the Billboard charts in recent years. But when it comes to namesakes, Drake is on a slide, down more than 250 notches in 2017 from its 2010 high popular rank of No. 197.

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19. Giovanny
> Boys named Giovanny in 2013: 223 (918th most popular)
> Boys named Giovanny in 2017: 107 (1,527th most popular)
> Pictured: Baseball player Giovanny Urshela

There was a little burst of affection for Giovanny earlier this century, peaking in 2010 when 399 baby boys were given the name. Since then, far fewer baby Giovannys have arrived, and the name last appeared on the Social Security top 1,000 list in 2014. No worries for future of the moniker, however, as Giovanni (with an “i”) is still going strong at No. 142 in 2017.

18. Brenden
> Boys named Brenden in 2013: 428 (591st most popular)
> Boys named Brenden in 2017: 204 (989th most popular)
> Pictured: Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim Ducks throws a punch at Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks

The more traditional spelling is winning out in the Brenden (No. 989), Brendon (out of the top 1,000 since 2013), and Brendan (No. 516) sweepstakes. The name traces its Gaelic roots to St. Brendan, a monk born in Ireland in the fifth century. Often referred to as “Brendan the Navigator,” the saint is said to have arrived in North America 1,000 years before Columbus. Even with the patience of a saint, he might have found a challenge in navigating the numerous variations on his name.

17. Triston
> Boys named Triston in 2013: 296 (763rd most popular)
> Boys named Triston in 2017: 141 (1,279th most popular)
> Pictured: Boston Red Sox player Triston Casas

Choose the vowel of your choice for the second syllable of this historic name. Tristan, with an “a,” is most popular (No. 121 in 2017), followed by Tristen (No. 670, 2017), Tristin (out of the top 1,000 since 2014), and finally Triston, which enjoyed its last top 1,000 list appearance in 2015. Though the Celtic name is often interpreted as “sadness” it is likely to stick around in some form: Tristan was a knight of the round table in the King Arthur legend and the title character of Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde.” The character was the subject of numerous films.

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16. Gavyn
> Boys named Gavyn in 2013: 232 (897th most popular)
> Boys named Gavyn in 2017: 107 (1,528th most popular)
> Pictured: Singer Gavyn Bailey

Putting a “y” in it may be a trend when it comes to tweaking standard naming conventions, but it’s no guarantee of longevity. Gavyn experienced its moment in the sun in 2014, when it appeared on 223 birth certificates. But it was never serious competition to Gavin, which routinely is chosen by thousands of parents each year.

15. Trenton
> Boys named Trenton in 2013: 1,330 (266th most popular)
> Boys named Trenton in 2017: 673 (452nd most popular)
> Pictured: Illustration depicting General George Washington leading Colonial troops at the Battle of Trenton

Kids and cities sharing a name is nothing new: Consider Alexandria, Sydney, Orlando, and Cody. Or how about the edgier Paris or Berlin? Each evokes a certain mystique, a certain vibe. But what about Trenton, which has slid down the ranks dramatically since its 2007 high of 178? Apparently, the capital city of New Jersey isn’t working the same mojo as Brooklyn (No. 39 in 2017), Austin (No. 75), or even Troy (No. 351).

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14. Amare
> Boys named Amare in 2013: 423 (598th most popular)
> Boys named Amare in 2017: 198 (1,015th most popular)
> Pictured: Basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire

Amare may mean “to love” in Italian, but in recent years fewer parents are showing the love to the name. Perhaps the earlier enthusiasm was linked to the ascendency of basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire. Amare made Social Security’s top 1,000 list for the first time in 2005 — early in Stoudemire’s career — and made its last appearance in the top 1,000 in 2016, the year he announced his retirement.

13. Brennan
> Boys named Brennan in 2013: 927 (344th most popular)
> Boys named Brennan in 2017: 458 (588th most popular)
> Pictured: Former Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Brennan

There are not so many brand-new Brennan baby boys in recent years. The name has plunged in popularity since 2009, when parents chose the name for 1,463 baby boys. By 2017, only 458 Brennans arrived, a drop of about two-thirds.

12. Braeden
> Boys named Braeden in 2013: 328 (713th most popular)
> Boys named Braeden in 2017: 148 (1,225th most popular)
> Pictured: Braeden Lamasters, Cole Preston and Dylan Minnette

Braeden holds the distinction of being the least favorite way to spell this name. Apparently, all variations are not created equal in the eyes of new parents. In the most recent Social Security stats, Braeden fell to the 1,225th position from 713th in 2013.

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11. Yahir
> Boys named Yahir in 2013: 572 (481st most popular)
> Boys named Yahir in 2017: 267 (828th most popular)
> Pictured: Cpl. Yahir Moreno of Vista, California

The popularity of the name Yahir comes from the Mexican singer/actor/pop star Yahir Othón Parra, known to fans simply as Yahir. He is highly visible south of the border, appearing in movies, reality shows, and TV commercials. Yahir rose to fame in the early aughts, which coincides with the name’s greatest popularity, from 2003 to 2006.

10. Jorden
> Boys named Jorden in 2013: 222 (921st most popular)
> Boys named Jorden in 2017: 100 (1,600th most popular)
> Pictured: (C) Basketball player Jorden Page

Parents who choose to call their son Jorden could be sentencing their boy — and themselves — to a lifetime of clerical errors, misdirected missives, and patiently spelling (and re-spelling) the name. The version with an “e” is a spinoff of the far more popular Jordan (with an “a”), an ongoing favorite for both males (No. 73 in 2017) and females (No. 356).

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9. Gage
> Boys named Gage in 2013: 2,148 (188th most popular)
> Boys named Gage in 2017: 1,035 (328th most popular)
> Pictured: Hockey players Drake Caggiula and Gage Ausmus

Are parents throwing down the gauntlet when they name their baby boy Gage? In the Middle English of the 14th century, a gage was a pledge of a person’s appearance to do battle. These days, it’s defined as a token of defiance. Gage has been popular for boys throughout the 21st century, though less so by 2017, with 1,035 boys receiving the name, down from its 2003 peak, when there were 2,938 new Gages.

8. Corban
> Boys named Corban in 2013: 207 (965th most popular)
> Boys named Corban in 2017: 89 (1,736th most popular)
> Pictured: Jerome Randle of the Adelaide 36ers competes with Corban Wroe of the Perth Wildcats

The name Corban made the Social Security list of top 1,000 names only twice, in 2011 and 2013, never breaking out of the cellar of the high 900s. But the word has a deep history with roots in Hebrew, and refers to a sacrifice or offering to God. On the secular front, Corban Joseph made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Yankees in 2013. He is currently signed with the Baltimore Orioles.

7. Graeme
> Boys named Graeme in 2013: 196 (1,000th most popular)
> Boys named Graeme in 2017: 82 (1,814th most popular)
> Pictured: Musicians Dave Oberle, Richard Harvey, Graeme Taylor and Brian Gulland

Graeme found a place on Social Security’s list of top 1,000 names for boys only twice, entering at No. 991 in 2012 and moving to No. 1,000 the following year. There’s no shortage of interesting people named Graeme, including chef Graeme Ritchie, classic rocker Graeme Edge, of the Moody Blues, and golfer Graeme McDowell. But when you search the name and “how to pronounce Graeme” is among the first hits, you might opt for the more familiar spelling, Graham (No. 183 in 2017).

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6. Colin
> Boys named Colin in 2013: 3,040 (125th most popular)
> Boys named Colin in 2017: 1,662 (228th most popular)
> Pictured: Actor Colin Farrell

Once a name pops into the news related to a controversy or scandal, parents tend to shy away from it. That could be the case with Colin, which dropped 31 notches in the year following the start of Colin Kaepernick’s protests during the national anthem. Interest in this traditional Irish name was already in a decline from earlier in the millenium, when Colin Powell served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush and British actor Colin Firth starred in several hit movies.

5. Arnav
> Boys named Arnav in 2013: 229 (908th most popular)
> Boys named Arnav in 2017: 92 (1,706th most popular)
> Pictured: Barun Sobti as Arnav Singh Raizada in “Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon”

Arnav is a Hindu name from the Sanskrit word for ocean, or agitated water. The name, used mostly by Indian-Americans, nudged its way into the bottom slot of the Social Security top 1,000 list in 2003. It hung on to a spot on the list till 2014, without ever rising above No. 852, its 2011 apogee. At its peak popularity year, 249 baby boys were dubbed Arnav.

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4. Xavi
> Boys named Xavi in 2013: 219 (931th most popular)
> Boys named Xavi in 2017: 87 (1,756th most popular)
> Pictured: Soccer player Xavi Hernandez

It can be daunting how quickly names cycle in and out of favor. Even those who follow naming conventions closely may have overlooked Xavi. It made its first appearance in Social Security’s top 1,000 in 2010, and by 2014 had slipped off the list for good.

3. Bently
> Boys named Bently in 2013: 230 (902nd most popular)
> Boys named Bently in 2017: 81 (1,834th most popular)
> Pictured: A 1954 Bentley motorcar

Bently is the name of lots of notable things: a small-batch of sustainable whiskey distilled in northern Nevada; an episode of the classic TV Western “Gunsmoke”; and even a luxury car (OK, you need to add an extra “e” for that). Despite this, the moniker has lost favor as a name for little boys. Fewer than 100 newborn boys were given the name in 2017.

2. Kale
> Boys named Kale in 2013: 258 (829th most popular)
> Boys named Kale in 2017: 61 (2,177th most popular)
> Pictured: A farm worker inspects kale

Names with a tie to nature are popular — think Reed (No. 381 in 2017) or Willow (No. 81). Kale, a name shared with the green and leafy veggie, never ranked that high, though it did get to No. 504 in 2008, with 544 children named Kale born that year. It hasn’t hit the top 1,000 since 2014.

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1. Jase
> Boys named Jase in 2013: 4,552 (89th most popular)
> Boys named Jase in 2017: 1,042 (325th most popular)
> Pictured: Surfer Jase Finlay

Jase has taken a quick flight from popularity, plummeting from its 2013 pinnacle. That’s the same year that the television show “Duck Dynasty,” featuring Jase Robertson, garnered its top ratings, becoming the most-watched nonfiction series telecast in cable TV history.

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