Remember when every classroom had a Karen, a Mark, a Susan or a Scott? Well, times have certainly changed!
Some of Australia’s most familiar names are quietly disappearing from baby name popularity charts, with names that once dominated school rolls now barely getting a look-in.
An analysis of Australian birth registration records spanning 1952 to 2025 reveals just how dramatically naming trends have changed over the generations.
Take Karen, for example. Back in 1963, it was Australia’s number one girls’ name. These days, it’s a very different story. Karen hasn’t appeared in the top 100 since 1986.
Then there’s Mark. A hugely popular choice for decades, with more than 43,000 registrations in the historical data, Mark finally dropped out of the top 100 in 2001.
And they’re not alone.
Jennifer last appeared in the top 100 in 2003, while Scott made its final appearance in 1999. Other once-popular names that have slipped down the rankings include Susan, Gregory, Stephen, Paul, Michelle and Robert.
But here’s where things get interesting.
While some old favourites are fading away, other vintage names are enjoying a surprising revival.
Names such as Mabel, Maggie, Rory and Fletcher have been appearing in recent baby name rankings, proving that what’s old can suddenly become fashionable again.
Of course, just because a name drops out of the top 100 doesn’t mean nobody is using it. It simply means today’s parents are choosing different favourites.
Still, it’s a funny thought. The names we grew up hearing shouted across school playgrounds in the 70s and 80s might one day sound as old-fashioned as Ethel or Herbert!
So here’s a question. How many Karens, Marks, Susans or Scotts do you know? And is your name slowly becoming a piece of Australian history?