Popular Baby Names In The 1960s Were Completely Different To Today's Favourites, UK Archives Reveal | HuffPost Life

If you're looking for an uncommon baby name, these could be good options.

By

Life editor at HuffPost UK

Some baby names from the UK archives seem to be enjoying a comeback, but not the monikers parents chose in the 1960s - they just aren’t as popular these days.

We’ve looked at the Office for National Statistics official data of baby names in England and Wales in the year 1964, and very few are similar to the official list of the most popular names in 2016. In fact, one of the names popular for boys in the 1960s - Nigel - wasn’t given to one baby in 2016. The majority of other names rank pretty low in the current lists, such as Susan, Julie and Janet.

That’s not to say no one is choosing these 1960s-inspired names though. Paul, which ranked 2nd in 1964 and 303rd in 2016, was chosen by reality TV star Sam Faiers’ for her son when she gave birth in 2015.

Would you go for one of these?

Shanina via Getty Images

Top Boys’ Names In 1964

1. David (Currently #43)

2. Paul (Currently #303)

3. Andrew (Currently #209)

4. Mark (Currently #256)

5. John (Currently #120)

6. Michael (Currently #59)

7. Stephen (Currently #401)

8. Ian (Currently #565)

9. Robert (Currently #109)

10. Richard (Currently #43)

11. Christopher (Currently #138)

12. Peter (Currently #188)

13. Simon (Currently #359)

14. Anthony (Currently #140)

15. Kevin (Currently #166)

16. Gary (Currently #1,050)

17. Steven (Currently #486)

18. Martin (Currently #252)

19. James (Currently #12)

20. Philip (Currently #322)

21. Alan (Currently #181)

22. Neil (Currently #681)

23. Nigel (not in 2016 list)

24. Timothy (Currently #298)

25. Colin (Currently #748)

H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock via Getty Images

Top Girls’ Names In 1964

1. Susan (Currently #1,525)

2. Julie (Currently #1,241)

3. Karen (Currently #1,689)

4. Jacqueline (Currently #1,834)

5. Deborah (Currently #544)

6. Tracey (Currently #3,609)

7. Jane (Currently #1,370)

8. Helen (Currently #622)

9. Diane (Currently #3,609)

10. Sharon (Currently #1,142)

11. Tracy (Currently #4,763)

12. Angela (Currently #605)

13. Sarah (Currently #96)

14. Alison (Currently #1,278)

15. Caroline (Currently #719

16. Amanda (Currently #503)

17. Sandra (Currently #861)

18. Linda (Currently #1,278)

19. Catherine (Currently #304)

20. Elizabeth (Currently #38)

21. Carol (Currently #4,096)

22. Joanne (Currently #1,571)

23. Wendy (Currently #1,834)

24. Janet (Currently #2,547)

25. Dawn (Currently #4,096)

Before You Go

14 Perfect Baby Names For Children Born In The Winter Months

Robin(01 of14)

Robin is English in origin, and originally became popular because of Robin Hood. Today the name is more closely associated with the British wintery bird - the robin red breast.

Snow(02 of14)

Nothing says winter months like longing for a touch of snow on the ground. Whether you love it or hate it, a white Christmas is symbolic of the season.

Alaska(03 of14)

This might seem like an odd choice for non-Americans, but famous for being a place of temperature extremes, Alaska has beautiful origins, meaning 'great land'.

Noelle(04 of14)

Noelle (or Noel) translates from French to Christmas.

January(05 of14)

Made famous by actress January Jones, this would be a great choice for a baby born in the first month of the year, or for parents who love the new beginnings it represents.

Elsa(06 of14)

The idea of calling your child Elsa might give lots of parents Frozen-related nightmares, but you have to admit, it's pretty wintery.

Holly(07 of14)

What could be more traditional than paying homage to the winter shrub? Holly is a name with English roots.

Paloma(08 of14)

The Spanish name for dove, Paloma is a great choice for a girl.

Neva(09 of14)

In Latin, the word 'nivis' means snow and this has evolved into Neva in the English language. A great choice if you fancy weather-inspired monikers, but want to be less obvious.

Demi(10 of14)

Demeter was the Greek goddess responsible for the arrival of winter. Shortened to Demi this is a great name for a child of the colder months.

Lumi(11 of14)

Meaning snow in Finnish, Lumi is a great choice (even if the most snow we get is some wet slush).

Bianca(12 of14)

Famous for staring in both Shakespeare's 'Othello' and 'The Taming Of The Shrew', Bianca actually translates to white.

Ember(13 of14)

A less conventional choice (sounding a little like Amber), Ember evokes images of cold nights getting cosy by the fire.

Eirwen(14 of14)

Eirwen is a Welsh name (pronouced 'Ay-ren') and roughly translates to white as snow.

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