LAST WEEK, THE Central Statistics Office (CSO) released data on the most popular baby names in Ireland for 2016.
James and Emily were the most popular names, while names like Willow, Zoey, Muhammad, Matilda and Harper all appeared in the top 100. ‘Tis far from the days of Marys and Pats, eh?
It got us thinking about which names are due a comeback. We consulted the most popular baby names of 1966 to find some names that are no longer in the top 100 and are due a resurgence in popularity.
1. Deirdre
Ranking in 1966: #7
Fifty years ago, you couldn’t step into a playground and utter “Deirdre” without a few heads darting around. Now it’s not even in the top 100 names. Which is a shame, really, because Dee is a top nickname.
2. Dominic
Ranking in 1966: #97
It was unusual back in 1966, but now Dominic has all but disappeared. If you want your kid to have a truly unique name and a shot at becoming a well-respected British actor (see: Dominic West, Dominic Cooper and Dominic Monaghan) then you know what to do.
3. Barbara
Ranking in 1966: #48
Barbara is a glamorous woman’s name. Don’t @ us. (Interesting tidbit: David Mitchell and his wife Victoria Coren named their daughter Barbara. The resurgence is nigh.)
4. Roger
Ranking in 1966: #99
What could be more satisfying than yelling “Go home Roger!” at your own son, tbh.
5. Veronica
Ranking in 1966: #52
Veronica has totally fallen out of favour in recent years meaning we’re about to face a serious shortage of earthy women named Ronnie. Don’t let it happen, folks.
6. Gregory
Ranking in 1966: #73
Is there a more distinguished name than Gregory? It’s the name of a man who refers to himself not as an actor, but as a thespian. It’s the name of a man who smokes a pipe, not because he is pretentious, but because he simply likes it. It’s the name of a man who can effortlessly fold a newspaper without making a hames of the creases.
7. Angela
Ranking in 1966: #32
Angela is a cool name! Angie is even cooler!
Wake up, parents of Ireland.
8. Jean
Ranking in 1966: #72
Jean is a chic name. Just ask our more fabulous weather presenter. (And when you’re done doing that, name your child after her.)
9. Cyril
Ranking in 1966: #91
Cyril sounds like a name a friendly optician would have and we can’t bear the thought of it going extinct.
10. Jacinta
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Ranking in 1966: #88
Imagine a world where there are no Jacintas and the phrase, “Get it into ya, Jacinta” is rendered meaningless. Unthinkable.
11. Gary
Ranking in 1966: #68
Gary may not be the trendiest name anymore, but we’re starting a petition to bring it back. After all, naming your child after Gary Lineker is a very reasonable thing to do in 2017.
12. Shirley
Ranking in 1966: #93
There have been so many great Shirleys throughout history – Shirley Temple, Shirley Bassey, Shirley Temple Bar…
High time to bring it back, we say. Plus think of all the “Shirley you cannot be serious” gags you could make.
13. Jeremiah
Ranking in 1966: #45
If names could be described as epic…
14. Patricia
Ranking in 1966: #9
I don’t mean to alarm you but women named Trish are fast becoming an endangered species and the only thing we can do about it is name our daughters Patricia. Long live Trish.
15. Laurence
Ranking in 1966: #49
Laurence is as fancy as you want it to be. You can either be Laurence Olivier or you can be Laurence Kinlan. So versatile, so ageless.
