Kenneth

[JosephineMaynard]

Too dated still for a new baby's first name? Or would it be starting to sound good for a baby again?

Could we get away with it as a middle name, if it's still hopelessly dated as a first name?

[PetalMettle]

Could definitely have it as a middle name but not sure about a first. What's it been doing in the lists over the last few years?

[Costacoffeeplease]

I think it's great

[JosephineMaynard]

According to the Darkgreener website, it's dropped from 345th to 888th in the lists between 1996 and 2015. Looks like it's risen a bit between 2013 and 2015.

Hmm. Possibly not coming back into popularity just yet, then. But, it's at least a name that most people will be familiar with, yes?

[SquirrelPaws]

Hmm. It's old fashioned, but it's not horrible. I think it could grow on me. I've only known nice Kens, though, which helps.

[Musiclife]

I know a teenage Kenneth and slways thought it was an odd name for a young lad. All his mates were Joshua or Jacob or Lewis.

[YokoUhOh]

I must be a child of the '80s because, to me, Ken is (a) any member of Thatcher's cabinet or (b) Smash Hits' name for the guitarist from Bros (or any 'faceless' member of a band).

Kenny is a cute nickname though! In fact, I've changed my mind writing this, go for Kenny OP

[catmombaby16]

My stepdad is Kenneth, we are giving baby his name as middle. But I am also considering it as first and shortening to Kenny.

I love it.

[Hurryboomboom]

Eesh, awful

[MauiChristmas]

Ah DH wants Kenneth for our baby too. I'm vetoing it - I just don't like it.

[HearTheThunderRoar]

Come to think of it, I don't mind Kenneth, seems like quite cool to name to me.

However, Ken is awful - it makes me think of Ken Barlow and Ken the doll barbie's boyfriend

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

But they killed Kenny!!!!

Use Kevin or Kester, Joey, you know you want to.

[KlingybunFistelvase]

I don't like it (sorry). I don't like Ken as a shortened version either. Makes me think of Ken dolls / Ken Barlow as OP said.

[JosephineMaynard]

Empress

Kevin and Kester are off the table. Firmly vetoed by DH.

[amysmummy12345]

DH middle name is Kenneth, he's 35, was his grandads' name. I love a name that gives a nod to a respected relative.

[KlingybunFistelvase]

"As pp said" not "OP" - autocorrect is my nemesis!

[versaceglasses]

I think it's kind of awful, sorry. So dated and reminds me of an overweight middle-aged man.

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

Kevin and Kester are off the table. Firmly vetoed by DH.

[DramaAlpaca]

I don't think Kenneth is due a revival just yet.

As a middle name, no problem.

[Chinlo]

How about Kendrick?

[Costacoffeeplease]

Kieran or Kiernan - I like Kiernan

[Sophronia]

I like Kenneth, and Kenny is really cute.

[JosephineMaynard]

It'd have to be Kenneth rather than Kendrick for us.

Not keen on Kieran / Kiernan.

I'm definitely getting the vibe here that Kenneth is considered more suitable as middle name material by most people

[unlimiteddilutingjuice]

I'd go with it as first name. It has a nice sound to it and shortens well to Kenny or Ken

[bookworm14]

My DD is at nursery with a little Kenneth. I'd previously thought of it as a middle-aged man's name but it's grown on me. If you like it, go for it!