EXPECTING A CHILD? Want to buck the trend and name your child something unusual?

We took a gander at the CSO’s data for the Top 100 babies’ names registered in 2014 and 1964, and identified some names that are in desperate need of a comeback.

(Note: none of the following names appeared in the Top 100 for 2014.)

1. Cornelius

Flickr Flickr

Rank in 1964: 39

As fun and flamboyant as one of Prince’s purple suits. Plus it just rolls off the tongue: Cornelius. 

2. Vincent

Brian McEvoy / TV3 Brian McEvoy / TV3 / TV3

Ranking in 1964: 42

Don’t tell us you wouldn’t name your child after the country’s most beloved crank.

3. Colin

Ranking in 1964: n/a

There are many Colins in their 20s/30s/40s. But for some reason, it has become uncool again. #BringBackColin

4. Ann/Anne

Ranking in 1964: 4 and 5, respectively

Ann/Anne was one of the most popular names back in the 60s. Back then, it was so dominant that it occupied two spots in the top five. Now, however? Nowhere to be seen.

Anne Doyle is disgusted.

5. Catherine

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Ranking in 1964: 2

Fact: Catherine is a really versatile name. You can either keep it long or shorten it to Kate, Katie, Cathy, Kitty… it’s basically five names in one! And yet it’s fallen out of favour.

Time for a revival, we say.

6. Francis

Francis Brennan Francis Brennan

Rank in 1964: 16

BRB, getting emotional about the name Frank going out of fashion.

7. Bridget

IIM-11144 IIM-11144

Ranking in 1964: 8

Don’t try and tell us that Bridie isn’t a cute name for a little girl. In fact, we’d be willing to bet the house on hipsters naming their babies Bridie in a few years.

8. Rita

Richard Gray Richard Gray

Ranking in 1964: 59

Ritas are sharp shooters and always good for a bit of gossip. We need more Ritas.

9. Joan

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Ranking in 1964: 31

Joan: the name of a million Mams, aunts and grannys. And yet it’s not “cool” or “in vogue” anymore. What gives, Ireland? Have we forgotten about Joan Rivers/Joan of Arc/Joan Collins?

Joan’s a deadly name.

10. Maurice

Sinn Fein's Maurice Quinlivan outside Leinster House. Niall Carson Niall Carson

Ranking in 1964: 51

People of Ireland, I don’t mean to alarm you, but men named Mossy/Mossie/Moss are becoming an endangered species. Please name your firstborn son Maurice and ensure this doesn’t happen.

11. Jacinta

Jacinta is pretty much the sassiest girl’s name of all-time and yet its popularity is dwindling rapidly.

12. Sharon

Ranking in 1964: 39

Ireland has produced many great Sharons over the years — Sharon Ní Bheoláin, Sharon Shannon, Sharon Horgan. And yet the name is completely absent from the Top 100 Girls’ Names of 2014.

For shame, Ireland.

13. Trevor

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Ranking in 1964: 100

Trevs are sound, reliable and can chat to anyone in the pub. Trevor is solid. More Trevors, please.

14. Stephen

Marcio Jose Sanchez Marcio Jose Sanchez

Ranking in 1964: 25

It’s hard to imagine a world without Stephens, but IT COULD HAPPEN. 

Think it’s old-fashioned/boring? The most famous basketball player in the world right now is named Stephen, so you couldn’t be more wrong.

15. Angela

angelascanlon angelascanlon

Ranking in 1964: 24

If nothing else, Angie is a class nickname.

16. Carmel

Ranking in 1964: 21

Ireland has a longstanding tradition of producing aunties named Carmel. Let’s keep this tradition alive, yeah?