Reader TTS

Top 20 baby names set to make a comeback thanks to the 100-year ruleNew research has revealed the baby names that are expected to surge in popularity - and the list is full of traditional

monikers.CommentsLifestyleNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle) and Chris Marzella Reporter09:40, 22 May 2025Baby names from previous generations could be set for a

comeback(Image: undefined via Getty Images) New research has forecasted the top baby names set to make a comeback - and it's down to a trend known as the 100-year rule. Based on analysis of

records, there is a trend that names follow a certain cycle of popularity, making a resurgence every century.

The study from family history brand Findmypast also highlighted the influence Royal events have on the popularity of baby names. The name Elizabeth saw a 16 per cent surge in popularity in

1926, the year of the Queen's birth.

‌ Similarly, after a decline across the 1960s and 1970s, Prince Harry's birth in 1984 sparked a rise in popularity throughout the following decades. Findmypast anticipates the Royal

fascination to continue across the next decade with families looking to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, Lillibet and Archie, for inspiration.

‌ Royal marriages also provided the population with plenty of inspiration when it came to choosing a name for their babies throughout history, with a significant 56 per cent increase in

babies named Phillip in 1947, the year the Prince married Elizabeth.

Similarly, the name Diana saw a resurgence in 1981, in celebration of her wedding to Prince Charles with a staggering 122% increase in babies named after her.

Newly digitised by Findmypast and made public for the first time in a century, the 1921 Census has shed light on the most popular names for infants.

Article continues below By analysing this data alongside current Royal trends, expert historians have predicted which baby names are most likely to experience a revival, reports Wales

Online.

More on baby namescouncil area namescousin baby name choiceretro baby boy namemost common surnames The What's In a Name search tool on Findmypast now allows users to easily explore the

history of individual names online.

‌The top 10 girl baby names poised for a comebackJoanMaryMargaretDorothyGladysIreneIrisElsieAdaMabelThe top 10 boy baby names poised for a

comebackRonaldArthurRobertAlbertFreddieEdwardArchieErnestIsaacHarris Mary McKee, Head of Content Publishing Operations at Findmypast, said: "History always has a tendency to repeat itself

and baby names are no exception.

‌ "All roads point to Joan as parents are increasingly looking to name their baby girls after strong female historical figures, and who better to take inspiration from than Joan of Arc.

"When it comes to boys' names, these have a tendency of coming back into fashion but as their nickname equivalent - Frederick becomes Freddie, Archibald becomes Archie, and so there is every

chance that Ronald could come back into circulation as Ronnie."

Joan tops the list as the name most likely to make a comeback in the coming years. The name was previously in the Top 10 most popular baby names in 1921, as revealed by the 1921 Census, it

then plummeted in popularity in the mid-1950s before falling out of the Top 100 entirely.

Article continues below The resurgence has even already begun for some names, with Arthur, Freddie and Edward re-entering the Top 100 Baby Names for Boys back in 2021, and Rose, Iris, Ada

all featuring on the list for girls that year.