The Fourth-Generation Rule Explained

They say that about every 100 years, old-fashioned names come back into style. However, the rule sounds kind of misleading for the following reasons:

1. The rule is worded to imply perfection. By calling it the "100-Year Rule", we imply that names must begin to rise again exactly 100 years after their peak. This sounds limiting because some names come back sooner than others. Instead of the "100-Year Rule", let's call it the "Fourth-Generation Rule". That title is more open to the concept of names coming back at different times. Besides, the title "Fourth-Generation Rule" implies that names would really come back every 75-120 years. 
2. How popular does a name have to be to qualify for the cycle? This question is rarely answered directly, but name sites make it seem like any name that ranked qualifies for the cycle. Yet, a name that only peaked in the 600s or so was never common at all. There were never many people with the name, so it's understandable to forget that these names were ever used at all. They could, hence, catch on at any time. 

This being said, in order to qualify for the four-generation cycle, a name must have peaked at #200 or higher. That way, the name is common enough to date to a generation. More specifically, it must earn the "grandma name" or "grandpa name" label. Here are the two types of revival names:

Circular revivals-These names were popular, ranking within the top 100. These names then fall out style only to regain their popular status later. 

EXAMPLES:

• Stella peaked at #55 in 1889. About 109 years later, it re-entered the top 1000, its first clear sign of revival. It returned to the top 100 in 2010. 
• Everett peaked at #81 in 1906. It started rising again over 95 years later, returning to the top 100 in 2018. 

Continuing revivals-Neutral names in the top 200 were less popular than circular revivals, so they were easier to forget. However, they were still common enough to date. These are called continuing revivals because many of these names come back more popular than ever. Perhaps some even reach the top 100 for the first time. 

EXAMPLES:

• Eloise first peaked at #164 in 1921. Over 85 years later, it was clearly rising again. Eloise has now surpassed its peaked at #151. This is headed for the top 100.
• Noah peaked at #126 in 1880. 115 years later, Noah has reached the top 100 for the first time. 

Revival names are also known as antiques. Old-fashioned names that aren't yet revivals are deemed vintage. Names that were popular in other English-speaking nations also qualify as vintage and antique even though some of them aren't revivals. Names that peaked between 25 and 75 years ago are deemed retro. 

Plus, while many names follow the Fourth-Generation Rule, not all do. 

EXAMPLES:

• Mabel peaked at #15 in 1891. Yet, its first clear sign of a revival took place a little more than 120 years later. In 2013, Mabel re-entered the top 1000. 
• Otto peaked at #63 in 1880. Yet, like Mabel, it took more than 120 years to be a clear sign of revival (its re-entry into the top 1000). 

Perhaps some names never come back. Bertha and Elmer are better left in the past. 

I will do a post about names that are revival-ready based on the rule later.