When a pink ribbon arrives in the family, choosing a name for the little one who is about to be born is one of the most exciting (and challenging) moments for parents. Some have already had the perfect name in mind for some time, while others are exploring various options, perhaps inspired by their grandmother, their best friend, or what they would have wanted for themselves. Or, why not, search among the most popular names.
Over the years, many once common names have gradually been abandoned, while others, once little known, have entered the list of favorites. But how much has the popularity of some names really changed from the early 2000s to today?
Below you will find ten female names that were once widely used, but have now almost disappeared in our country. We collected data by analyzing Istat statistics for the years 1999 and 2023, observing how the number of girls called with these names and their position in the rankings have evolved over time.
Here are the results of this analysis:
Here is the updated table with the female names and the indication that in 2023 they are not among the top 50:
| Name | Location (1999) | Number (1999) | Number (2023) | Differences (Number) | Location (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentina | 11 | 3299 | 227 | -3072 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Laura | 16 | 2829 | 335 | -2406 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Ilaria | 17 | 2759 | 286 | -2329 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Alexandra | 18 | 2535 | 409 | -2008 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Silvia | 19 | 2515 | 221 | -2280 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Claudia | 26 | 2058 | 213 | -1780 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Roberta | 28 | 1965 | 114 | -1803 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Michela | 29 | 1873 | 244 | -1572 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Valeria | 35 | 1615 | 143 | -1439 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
| Simona | 36 | 1551 | 63 | -1471 | Not in the top 50 in 2023 |
These names tell a story of changes in the trends and tastes of Italian families, reflecting how the choice of name reflects fashions, values and sometimes even nostalgia. Although they are less and less common today, they carry with them a timeless charm and remain part of our culture and identity.
Who knows, perhaps in the future they will return to the fore, as cyclically happens with many fashions and traditions. If you have a little one on the way and want a name that is outside the current mold, choosing one of these almost forgotten names could be a unique and special way to give her a rare and precious identity.
