Do you know a Doris or a Sheila?

Because it looks like their names are on the brink of dying out. Yes, according to a survey by Ancestry, they have used online birth records to compare the popularity of forenames over the past 100 years and their findings are seriously interesting. Compiling their collected data into three categories, the study labeled one category as "critical" and this features the baby names in Ireland on the brink of extinction. These are names that were once popular in Ireland and now, have plummeted in circulation over the past 100 years. For the "extinct" names, there has been hardly any data of them in the past five birth records leading researchers to believe they're on the way out. Do you recognise any of these?

Male names

Herbert Norman Cecil Bartholomew Leslie Cyril Reginald Donald Sylvester Wallace Garrett.

While for ladies, the names are...

Gertrude Ethel Eveline Muriel Gladys Sheila Marion Doreen Wilhelmina Doris Edna Letitia Margaretta Fanny While on the other hand, names that have risen in popularity over the past 100 years include Matthew, Luke, Leo, Adam and Aidan for males while, Anna, Emily, Grace, Charlotte, Lucy, and Lena have become popular girls names. Speaking on this research, Ancestry spokesperson Russell James said:

“Whilst we know no name can ever truly become extinct, it’s fascinating to look at the names which have gone out of fashion and those that have boomed in the last 100 years. It would be uncommon to meet a new-born Mary, Margaret or John today while babies with the name Emily or Jack can be found around the country.”

Fascinating!