Violet
Just last year, this name was sitting on number 47 on SSA lists and one we would have gladly endorsed. This year? It’s made an astonishing leap to the number 3 spot and joining the list of flowery names we need to retire to the garden they came from, along with . . .
Lily
. . . this one, whose rise in popularity experts attribute to J.K. Rowling, who gave it to Harry Potter’s mother. (In good news, it’s probably safe to bring back “Rose,” if you want a flower-inspired name.)
Benjamin
We all know at least one Ben, right? This name’s been in the top 50 since 1974 and hasn’t been out of the top 20 since 2010. It’s been around since Biblical times, and yet just in 2015 it leapt into the top 10 and hasn’t left. It’s on track to be at least number 9 this year. Let’s break that trend, shall we?
James
Here’s another name that’s never been out of the top 20 and, after a brief break in the 90’s and early 2000’s, has spent most of its tracked-in-the-U.S. life in the top 10. Just last year it climbed back to number 5, and we’ve started to hear it’s gaining popularity as a GIRL’S name, too.
We can’t ALL be named James, guys. Let’s move on.
Abigail
I love the name Abigail, especially when I think of one of its most famous holders, First Lady Abigail Adams. You know who else loves the name? Pretty much the whole world. It’s been a fixture in the top 10 for the entirety of this century and dates back centuries more. No matter how “creative” one might get with the spelling – “Abaigeal”, really? – there’s no denying it’s time for something different.
Elijah
You don’t need to be a prophet to see that this beautiful, ancient and wildly popular name has been steadily gaining in popularity over the years, with nary a downward tick. It broke through to the top 10 last year and isn’t showing any signs of slowing. We love it, but like the others on this list, it’s a little too common to not merit a second thought.
Anna and/or Elsa
Y’all. Do you really want your baby girl to grow up with people telling her to “let it go” or asking her to build snowmen all her life? Even if she lives in the desert and is the least stressed woman in the world? Don’t do that to her. Give it 20 years or 20 more animated Disney hits, whichever comes first.
From: http://tiphero.com/21-overused-baby-names/
