Are Older-Sounding Names Becoming Popular Again in Massachusetts?

"Life is cyclical." "What's old is new again."

There are plenty of quotes to indicate that what seems like relics of the past can once again come back around and become popular again. We see it all the time in fashion.

But names popular in the past coming back around to have life breathed in them once again? Outside of respecting a family member, it's possible no one really had this on their bingo card, but it looks like it's happening.

2024 Most Popular Girls Names

In January 2024, USA Today released a list of not only names on the brink of extinction, but also focused on the most popular baby names for boys and girls for the year.

On the girls' names side, names like Olivia, Emma, and Charlotte topped the most popular list, some of which have a bit of that elderly feel to them.

2024 Most Popular Boys Names

On the flip side, in that same USA Today article, names like Lucas, Elijah, and Noah topped the list. Which, while some may have a bit of that elderly feel to them, mostly just sound a bit unique.

However, according to Names.org, it seems like Massachusetts is in a league of its own.

Massachusetts Popular Baby Names

While some names on the USA Today list may have a slight older vibe to them, they don't seem overly elderly, which couldn't be more of the opposite feeling when it comes to the most popular baby names in Massachusetts specifically, according to Names.org (and displayed by the popular social media account, Only in Boston.)

Names like Edmund and Gerard for the boys, and Doreen and Claire, for the girls, are amongst Massachusetts' favorite emerging go-to's, which definitely feels similar to a popular 'fit from the '70s or '80s coming back around to be the hot new trend again.

The irony? The boys' names in the USA Today list felt more unique than older while the girls' seemed a bit more elderly, but the Massachusetts-specific names above seem flip-flopped with that stat.

Are you planning on naming your future or soon-to-be-born child any of the listed names above?