Given names rise and fall in popularity. Modern culture, as well as the cultures in time past all have their effect on the use of given names. The following teaser is from an article that has a British flavor, but is universal in its concepts.
Names including Gertrude, Bertha, Willie and Cecil are at risk of dying out, while others such as Cyril and Mildred are becoming less popular, a new study has revealed.
An analysis of millions of birth records from 1905 revealed that some forenames have virtually disappeared, with many others being increasingly ignored.
The report by family history website Ancestry.co.uk showed the most “endangered” names included Gertrude, Bertha and Blodwen for girls and Willie, Cecil and Rowland for boys.
Norman, Horace, Leslie, Doris, Hilda and Edna were among the most popular names in 1905, but have become much less popular over the years, said the report.
