diff --git a/oml/item/models.py b/oml/item/models.py
index 7f2702c..f82ee77 100644
--- a/oml/item/models.py
+++ b/oml/item/models.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from changelog import Changelog
 from db import MutableDict
 import json_pickler
 from .icons import icons
-from .person import get_sort_name
+from .person import get_sort_name, Person
 from queryparser import Parser
 from settings import config
 from utils import remove_empty_folders
@@ -762,3 +762,13 @@ class Metadata(db.Model):
                 del m.data['id']
             return m.data
         return {}
+
+def remove_unused_names():
+    used = list(set(
+        get_sort_name(a)
+        for i in Item.query
+        for a in i.meta.get('author', [])
+    ))
+    for p in Person.query.filter(Person.sortname.notin_(used)):
+        state.db.session.delete(p)
+    state.db.session.commit()