
Life


Baby names will always come in and out of style, but there is one name that is at risk of going extinct, and you may be surprised, as it was once a beloved name for Irish mams in the 1990s.
According to a report by Personalisedbee, the name Jessica is dwindling in popularity so much that it is actually at risk of going extinct.
There was a girl with this once-popular name in nearly every class in school, but it is no longer proving popular with new parents.
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin. The name means 'to behold'.
The name has seen a major drop in popularity in England and Wales, with the moniker falling to 83rd on the most popular names list.
In Ireland, in 2025, Jessica was ranked 141 of all baby girls recorded in Ireland.
In total, 32 baby girls were recorded with the name Jessica in this year.
Prashant Patel, founder of Personalised Bee, said: “Names are a lot like trends in fashion or home décor. They can rise quickly when they feel fresh or modern, but just as fast, they can fall out of favour as parents hunt for something new and unique.
Other names falling in popularity included Lola, Scarlett, and Imogen.
The current top five baby names for girls in Ireland are Lily, Éabha, Fiadh, Grace, and Sadie.
It's clear that parents are opting for shorter names for their daughters, as well as Irish names, which we love to see get more attention.
What is your favourite baby girl's name?
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Published 10:23 8 May 2026 BST