The 'old people' baby names that will be making a comeback in 2026, according to the 100-year rule
We may just be seeing a bunch of baby Bettys, Douglases, Shirleys, and Donalds running around this year, all thanks to a rule a century in the making.
Known as the 100-year rule, the theory claims it takes around 100 years for a baby name to fall off the radar and then come back into fashion, feeling fresh enough to jump back up the charts.
That means the names from 1926 and the surrounding years will be making their mark in the coming years.
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We could see the return of some century-old baby names in 2026. Getty
Many have already seen this phenomenon in action, with daycares starting to filter in little Agnes, Iras, Theodores and Cliffords, among other vintage names.
According to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, the Attorney-General's Department of South Australia, Western Australia's Department of Justice, Victoria's Department of Government Services, and Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, here are the names we will soon be seeing and hearing Down Under.
Girls names
Beryl
One gem we may be seeing among girls is Beryl. It consistently featured in the top 20 baby names of 1926 across New South Wales (reaching number 10), South Australia (number 15 girls' name), Queensland (number seven girls' name), Victoria (number 13 girls' name) and in Western Australia in 1930 (number 10 girls' name).
Beryl comes from Greece, named after the sea-green jewel made of emerald and aquamarine, also the name of a family of different coloured gems. The name also has a Jewish connection, symbolising beauty, strength, and being one of the foundations of New Jerusalem.
Beryl, named after a sea-green jewel made of emerald and aquamarine, has a surprisingly long history. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Joyce
Joyce is another classic name of the era. Originally a boy's name meaning "lord", it was derived from the Norman name Josce or Josse. Today, it can be seen as a diminutive of Jocelyn and is associated with the words "joy" and "rejoice".
In Australia in 1926, the name ranked number nine in popularity in SA, number 12 overall in NSW, eighth in Victoria, and second in QLD.
Kathleen
Despite seeming like a more modern name, Kathleen was very popular in 1926, being the eighth most popular girl name in both WA and SA, and eighteenth in Victoria.
The name derives from the Greek-inspired Catherine, though Kathleen is a distinctly Irish feminine variation meaning "pure".
Mary
Mary is one of the most classic girl names, being so old that it has many origins and meanings. It is most commonly associated with Egypt, coming from the word "mr" meaning "beloved". It also has significance in Hebrew, with the name meaning "bitter" or "rebellion", and Maryam and all its variations meaning "drop of the sea".
It was also a favourite in Australia in the mid to late 1920s, with it being the eighth overall most popular name in NSW, the third most popular girls' name in SA, the sixth in WA and VIC, and the third in QLD.
Joan
Joan originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which is also the root of the name John and is considered the male version of the name.
It was a sensible choice for the Aussie parents of 1926, with the name being the fifth overall choice in NSW, the fifth for girls in SA and WA, and first for VIC and QLD.
Dorothy
Dorothy was popularised by Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. Getty
Arguably the most typical "old lady name", Dorothy comes from the classic Greek name Dorothea, which means "gift of God".
It has been popular since the Middle Ages, especially after Saint Dorothy, and has many adorable names like Dot, Dottie, and Dollie. Of course, its most famous association is Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.
It was the number 10 most popular name in NSW, number seven in SA, number five in WA and QLD, and number three in VIC.
Shirley
Shirley is an Old English name, originating from the words "shire" and "leah", coming together to mean "bright meadow". It was originally a surname, and then a male name, before Charlotte Brontë's 1849 novel Shirley popularised it for girls when she used it for her female protagonist.
Shirley was the 20th overall most popular name in NSW in 1926, while it came in at number two most popular for girls in SA, number seven in VIC, and number four in WA.
Charlotte Brontë's 1849 novel Shirley popularised the name for girls. Simon and Schuster Australia
Betty
The classic pet name Betty comes from the name Elizabeth, which is a classic girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "pledged to God."
Betty became popular as a nickname in the 17th century, with it now being a standalone name.
It was the third most popular baby name overall in NSW in 1926, the number one in SA, number three in WA, number four in VIC and number eight in QLD.
One of the most famous Elizabeths of our time is, of course, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was born in 1926.
However, her pet name was Lilibet, which was later used by Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for their daughter, Princess Lilibet, who is now four years old. Perhaps Lilibet will be the next diminutive of Elizabeth to become a popular baby name?
Patricia
Patricia, meaning "noblewoman" or "patrician," derives from the Roman word patricius, which refers to the aristocratic class.
It is also the feminine form of Patrick, and has many nicknames – Pat, Patti, Patty, Patsy, Tricia, and Trish, just to name a few.
It was a favourite for Aussie parents 100 years ago, being the seventh most popular name in NSW, sixth in SA, second in VIC and WA, and sixth in QLD.
Margaret
One of the more classic baby names, Margaret has a lot of potential.
Margaret has a surprising meaning Getty
It has many origins and meanings. In Greek, the name originates from the word margarites, meaning pearl, with this meaning being adopted Latin and Persian.
In French, it comes from the word Marguerite, meaning Daisy, which is also a common nickname for the longer name. In Spanish and Italian, the name comes from Margarita.
The potential for nicknames is endless, with some including Maggie, Peggy, Meg, Greta, Rita, Maisie, and Daisy.
Aussie parents from a century ago loved this one, with it being the 13th most popular baby name in NSW, fifth in VIC, fourth in SA and QLD, and first in WA.
Boy's names
George
George has been the name of many royals, including our current Prince George of Wales. Getty
Ever the classic name, George comes from the Greek Georgios, combining ge ("earth") and ergon ("work") to give the meaning "earthworker" or "farmer".
The name has associations with Zeus Georgos ("Zeus the Farmer") and the legendary St. George, Patron Saint of England, with the name being shared by many kings and princes of England.
The name was placed 19th overall in NSW, 18th in SA, 10th in WA, eighth in VIC, and ninth in Queensland from 1926-1930.
Leslie
Leslie is a name of Scottish origin, originally a surname for a clan from a place in Aberdeenshire. It comes from the Gaelic "leas celyn", meaning "holly garden".
According to the name's English roots, it means "joy", while in Slavic it means "rule" and "glory".
It is used by both boys and girls, though in recent times it has been more popular with girls.
In the late 1920s in Australia, however, it was a booming boy's name. It was the 18th most popular name in NSW, 19th in SA, 15th in VIC, and the 10th most popular boy name in QLD.
Donald
The name "Donald" was popular in Australia in the late 1920s, with its Scottish Gaelic and Celtic roots lending more weight to its meaning as "ruler of the world," or "proud chief". It derives from the name Dòmhnall, meaning "world" (dumno) and "rule" or "power" (val/walt).
The name placed seventh in SA's rankings, while WA ranked it eighth and VIC ranked in 14th.
Raymond
Raymond comes from the Germanic name Raginmund or Reginmund. It combined the words for "advice/counsel" (ragin/rad) and "protection/hand" (mund), coming together to mean "wise protector".
The name was originally introduced to England by the Normans, and in 1920's Australia, it was ranked 16th in NSW, 10th among boys in SA, 13th among boys in VIC, and seventh among boys in WA.
Keith
Keith proved very popular for Aussie parents in 1926-1930, with the name ranking 15th overall in NSW, 12th among boys' names in SA, seventh among boys in VIC, and eighth among boys' names in QLD.
The name is of Scottish/Gaelic origin, originally being a surname before becoming a given name.
It is believed to be derived from place names and Gaelic words like ceiteach (wood) and cath (battle).
Keith was a popular name for parents Down Under. Getty
Though a less common interpretation, in German it can be a nickname meaning "sprout" or "offspring".
James
Another ever-popular name, James has a lot of meanings and origins. It is largely believed to mean "supplanter" or "he who grasps the heel," referring to the biblical story of Jacob holding Esau's heel at birth, which also symbolises control over or outwitting others. It can also mean, "May God protect".
The name derives from Yaakov or Jacob in Hebrew, Iacomus in Latin, and has versions in many other languages, including Irish (Seamus), Italian (Giacomo), Old French (Jaques), and English.
There are many nicknames derived from the name, including Jim, Jimmy, Jamie and Jack.
The name was the fourth most popular in VIC, ninth in NSW, 11th in SA, 10th in WA, and ninth in QLD.
Ronald
Ronald was surprisingly very popular among parents. Getty
Ronald was one of the most popular baby names of the time, appearing fourth overall in the NSW, SA, WA, and QLD rankings, and third in VIC's rankings.
The name derives from Old Norse/English names like Rögnvaldr, which combines "regin" meaning advice or ruler, and "valdr", meaning power or ruler.
It became popular in Scotland after being spread by Norse settlers, with the modern name representing strength, wisdom, and leadership. Common nicknames include Ron or Ronnie.
William
The name William was on the shortlist for many Aussie parents 100 years ago, with it being ranked second overall in NSW, VIC, and QLD, and third in SA and WA.
Deriving from the German origin Wilhelm, which combines the words "wil", meaning will and "helm", meaning protection, the name has come to mean "resolute protector".
Many royals have shared the name William. Princes and Princess of Wales/Matt Porteous
It became popular in England after William the Conqueror brought it over from Normandy in the 11th century, and carries the nicknames Will, Bill, Billy, Willie, Wills, and Liam – the last of which has become a name of its own.
Robert
Robert's popularity has continued to this day, having originated from the Germanic Hrodebert or Hrōþiberhtaz. It combines "Hrod" meaning fame and glory, and "Berht", meaning bright and shining, coming together to mean "shining with glory."
The name was brought to England by the Normans in the Middle Ages and has been one of Europe's most common names since the 13th century.
Popular variants and nicknames include Rupert, Robin, Roberto, Robrecht, Rob, Bobby, Bob, and Robbie.
It was the sixth most popular name in NSW, third in QLD, fifth in VIC, and second in SA and WA.
John
John topped the list of names across Australia for 1926. iStock
Finally, one of the most classic and traditional boy names, John topped the baby name lists of all five states.
The name is originally derived from Hebrew, with "Yah", meaning God, and "hanan" meaning to be gracious, coming together to become Yohanan, meaning "God is gracious" or "graced by God".
The name passed through other languages such as Greek (Ioannes) and Latin (Iohannes), before finding its English version of John. The name has many variations, including Jean (French), Juan (Spanish), Ian (Scottish), Ivan (Slavic), and Eoin (Irish). Nicknames include Johnny, Jack, Jon, and Jackie.
The name is very prominent in the Bible, being shared most notably by John the Baptist and John the Apostle. It was the most popular English name for four centuries, from the Middle Ages until the mid-20th century.
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