Thoughts on traditional vs modern names

[DoctorX]

I love traditional names (such as Elizabeth and Sarah for girls; Andrew and David for boys), but my husband wants to go for more modern, unique names such as Tallulah or Vincentzio. What do you guys think? Do you give your child a solid name or do you go for creativity?

[manchurian]

Is Vincentzio even a name? I've heard of Vincenzo, but never Vincentzio...

I think the "modern, unique" names will date very quickly.

I'd rather go for a name that has stood the test of time (although I'd always go for a more Roman/Italian sounding name such as Camilla or Lavinia but that's just because I was a classicist).

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

The danger with choosing a name because you think its unique is that usually when they turn up at school there is at least 1 other in the class, tell him too that I know quite a few Tallulah, it sounds like a strippers name and will date very quickly.

There again you are asking on MN, ask on Bounty and they will probably come up with some lovely U-neeqee spellz for u

[CrapolaDeVille]

My children all have unusual names that are neither poncey or difficult to spell. My son has the most unusual name and soooo many people say they love it, from 'proper posh' to 'fully pierced' 'new age' to 'old age', I must say I'm really surprised as I was expecting lots of 'oh that's different'. One of my dds has an old lady name, but not the most common and I've only met one other. One dd has a name that noone has got, the two oldest boys have both met one other with their names!!

I like few traditional names, and the rest I'm not bothered either way....which Ithink is very very dull. Hate names like Daniel, Luke, Peter and Freya, Sarah and so on.

[MelinaM]

I'd go with a traditional /classic monika, you can always have a 'trendy' middle name to satisfy DH

There are so many beautiful traditional / classic names out there that are virtually unheard of, and can still be unique, have fun choosing!

[MsChanandlerBong]

Or maybe go for a traditional name but think of a modern/creative nn that you could use for it?

[meditrina]

Tallulah isn't exactly a modern name - it goes back to at least the 1850s in Ireland. I think it's a lovely name, btw.

Perhaps that's the way to compromise with your DH - look for a traditional/classical name which is not much in current use?

[WidowWadman]

Both my daughters have quite old-fashioned Edwardian names.

When my younger daughter was born a couple of weeks ago and we told them the name to put on her cot card etc., one of the theatre staff actually said "oh, that's posh", but we were too happy about having a healthy screaming newborn to take offence...

[Lonnie]

you go for traditional names that are not hugely popular like

Conrad, Winston, Leopold, Edgar, Ernest

Mary, Blanche, Estella, Wilhelmina, Eugenie (obviously find some you like if these doesnt float your boat)

that way you both get your way you the traditional names He the unusual one

[DoctorX]

Thanks all - sound advice.

[mumzy]

I prefer classic but not overtly popular names which don't date. So for me John, Adam, Ben(Benjamin or Benedict), David, Simon, Helen(a), Rosalind, Clare, Sarah, Rachel, Felicity

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

How about names like Christabel or Maeve for a girl that way you would get a tradiional name and he would get something more unusual.

[DoctorX]

I love David and Simon - I adore Helen but for some weird family reasons we can't have that. Christabel sounds good too, not so sure about Maeve.

How about Chelsea? Too pretentious? Clintony? Footbally?

[wotnochocs]

I Know loads of Maeves!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Really wotno, I only know one. Actually that proves that names are regional.

[CheerfulYank]

It's very hard to find names that don't date at all. Even now, with the "older names" in fashion, people will know when all the little Rubies and Clementines etc, were born.

And people always go deeper with things, at least in America. Liam and Aidan were huge but got too popular and now people are going with Declan, Lachlan, Eamonn, etc. Taylor, Parker, and Carter are too popular and soon Harper will be too, so another surname will come up. Noah and Jonah and other older Hebew names were very popular but got too big, so now Asa and Asher are having their day in the sun.

That's why I named DS Sam...I know Sams who are seven, seventeen, and seventy. :) I like Lonnie's suggestion of finding an older name that's not popular. You could look in the old censuses or something.