With all the name data that is coming out in the papers, there nearly always seems to be a conclusion that old-fashioned names are back in style. So I thought it would be interesting to look at the Top 25 baby names from the year of Federation, and see how many of these old-fashioned names are back in style 110 years later – or perhaps never went out of style.

The information on Australian baby names from 1901 is from the Powerhouse Museum, and their current positions are for NSW, also supplied by the Powerhouse Museum.

GIRLS

1. Dorothy (last charted in 1970s)
2. Jean (last charted in 1980s)
3. Mary (never left charts, currently #101 and rising)
4. Winifred (last charted in 1950s)
5. Marjorie (last charted in 1960s)
6. Doris (last charted in 1960s)
7. Kathleen (last charted in late 2000s)
8. Bridget (never left charts, currently #416 and falling)
9. Elizabeth (never left Top 100, currently #44 and stable)
10. Eileen (last charted in early 2000s)
11. Lilian (left charts during 1960s, currently #363 and rising)
12. Daisy (left charts in 1940s, 1960s and 1970s, currently #134 and rising)
13. Vera (left charts in 1980s, returned in 2011 at #626)
14. Margaret (left charts in 2010, returned in 2011 at #428)
15. Edna (last charted in 1950s)
16. Gladys (last charted in 1950s)
17. Florence (left charts in 1960s-1980s, early 2000s, currently #284 and rising)
18. Doreen (last charted in 1960s)
19. Violet (left charts 1960s-1990s, currently #72 and rising)
20. May (left charts 1960s-1980s, currently #557 and fell in 2011)
21. Joyce (left charts 1980s-early 2000s, returned in 2011 at #636)
22. Phyllis (last charted in 1960s)
23. Erica (charted almost continuously, currently #359 and rising)
24. Olive (left charts 1960s-early 2000s, currently #136 and rising)
25. Ivy (left charts 1970s-1990s, currently #32 and stable)

• 14 names are currently in the charts
• 3 names never left the charts
• 1 name never left the Top 100
• 3 names are currently Top 100
• Of the 14 names currently in the charts, 12 of them are either rising or stable

BOYS

1. John (never left Top 100, currently #77 and rising)
2. William (never left Top 50, currently #1)
3. George (never left Top 100, currently #57 and rising)
4. James (never left Top 20, currently #11 and stable)
5. Ronald (last charted early 2000s)
6. Robert (never left charts, currently #107 and rising)
7. Kenneth (left charts in 2010, returned in 2011 at #409)
8. Frederick (never left charts, currently #212 and stable)
9. Thomas (never left Top 100, currently #8 and falling)
10. Keith (last charted in late 2000s)
11. Eric (never left charts, currently #126 and rising)
12. Alfred (never left charts, currently #541 and stable)
13. Arthur (never left charts, currently #219 and rising)
14. Charles (never left charts, currently #73 and rising)
15. Leslie (last charted in 1990s)
16. Dennis (left charts in 2009 and 2011)
17. Joseph (never left Top 100, currently #43 and stable)
18. Alan (never left charts, currently #354 and stable)
19. Stanley (left charts 2010, returned in 2011 at #317)
20. Ernest (last charted in 1970s)
21. Harold (last charted in 1990s)
22. Norman (last charted in 1980s)
23. Reginald (last charted in 1970s)
24. David (never left Top 100, currently #78 and rising)
25. Francis (left charts in 2010, returned 2011 at #388)

• 17 names are currently in the charts
• 14 names never left the charts
• 7 names never left the Top 100
• 2 names never left the Top 50
• 1 name never left the Top 20
• 8 names currently in the Top 100
• 4 names currently in the Top 50
• 3 names currently in the Top 25
• 2 names currently in the Top 10
• Of the 17 names currently in the charts, 16 of them are either rising or stable

As you can see, when we say we adore the old-fashioned names, we’re being a bit selective, because Gladys and Ernest haven’t had much love for decades. And Edna peaked a century ago, so when does the alleged “100 year rule” kick in for her, I wonder?

On the other hand, about half of the girls names and more than two-thirds of the boys names are still in the charts, or have returned to the charts. Interestingly, nearly all of the names from 1901 which are currently in the charts are either rising or stable, so for those names which did manage to make it, they are doing pretty well for themselves.

POLL RESULTS: The dated names people most wanted revived were Winifred, Dorothy and Ernest, while not a single person voted to bring back Doreen or Dennis. 2% of respondents didn’t want any of the dated names brought back.