Which names do you think should be more popular?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Its always baffled me why some names become uberpopular, yet other lovely names get more or less ignored.

For instance i've always loved Heather but never met a single one under 40.

So which names do you love but just don't come across any in your area?

[Hassled]

Clarice. Why is no-one called Clarice? Or Clara?

[rachel234]

Because a lot of people sheepishly follow trends - like fashion. In my opinion, NO name should be über popular.

Names are used to identify people or things - and it would be lovely if we all used a larger variety of names for our children - there are literally thousands of names to choose from! Life would be more interesting, fun and easier if we all had different names .

I agree - Heather and Clarice are lovely classic feminine names and they're not overused - great choices imo (Clara is already very widely used round here).

[Lancelottie]

We know a little Heather! She's lovely. Clara -- yes, there are a few here, plus one solitary Claire. Everyone tends to assume they've misheard and it's her mum's name, for some reason.

[tammytoby]

I agree - NO name sould be so popular as to be be used by over 5,000 boys or girls per year. Lots of lovely underused names out there to choose from.

I guess the reason Heather isn't that popular right now is that it was very popular in the 1960s - another downside to names becoming super popular: they will start to feel very dated to a particular era.

I do like Clarice very much.

[shefliesthrutheair]

Dulcie. What d'you think?

[RedRubyBlue]

Mary is very sweet name.

[tammytoby]

But why should we ALL love the same names -e.g. Dulcie and Mary? Personally I dislike Dulcie (the dull part I don't like) and wouldn't choose Mary myself either. But WHY are so many of us so keen to find names that everyone else loves - shouldn't we pick names that YOU love and that works with YOUR surname and family?

[seeksnewnamewithgsoh]

I know two Heathers in their 20s, one teen, two under ten. And a baby Clara and an early-30s Clara.

I'm sure a few years ago lots of people thought "Hmmm, you don't hear of many Islas/Olivias/Bellas these days... I'm surprised that name isn't more popular"

Saying that, I haven't yet met an Isla and it's a very pretty name

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Know a few Islas, one Dulcie, one Clarice, one Heather and am yet to meet a Clara.

Think Clarabel should be due a revival too .

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Yay! I've heard of a girl born in our town that hasn't been named Evie. Ok so she's name Ava but its a start.

Which names do you just never hear where you are?

[Psammead]

Carmen. It's so feminine and sounds soothing, but evokes a passionate image.

I think it's quite inevitable that names go through fashions though. People naturally avoid names which are associated with their parents' generation, or with famous people they dislike, and are drawn to names which are eitherew and fresh, or have that familiar granny quality. Or which are those of sympathetic characters in books, film, TV etc.

[Psammead]

Either new*

[Catsu]

Adam

[BelleEnd]

Marigold. I know it's gloves, but it's so pretty...

[Pentagram]

Hazel

[FessaEst]

Laura
Ruth
Louisa
Mary
Clare

[ExitPursuedByaBear]

Aw - my mum was Hazel.

Mildred. DD was talking about a friend called Millie and I asked what it was short for and she said the girls friends all called her Mildred. I responded that I doubted it was, more like to be Amelia or something, and then I thought, why not? Mildred could be reviving.

[cece]

Jane

and

John

[DesertOrchid]

Helen, Laura, Karen, Sally, Bryony, Claire

Simon, Gregory, John, Ernest.

[LaDiDaDi]

Jane

[manicinsomniac]

No Heathers under 40? It was a standard name when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s. I knew several. The youngest Heather I know is now about 13.

Names I think are underused are:
April (308), Saffron (370), Iona (376), Joanna (385), Alannah (463), Juliette (482), Farrah (531), Xanthe (567), Nyah (593), Enya (695), Marissa (695), Anoushka (773), Cherry (790), Merryn (896), Giselle (1013)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

We know one Xanthe, very pretty name and very pretty little girl. Only know one Saffron too and she is in DSs class.

Some lovely names thre manic.

[justpissfartingaround]

love Carmen and Marigold.

[ThreeTrickPony]

How is Xanthe pronounced?

"Zan-thih"?