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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

So, which year's names are least appealing to parents naming in 2013

81 replies

JennyEnglish · 15/05/2013 15:26

Is it names that are 50 years old? Or is it less than that? some people were listing names that they couldn't imagine coming back, like Linda and Janet. I don't really dislike those. Jane is nice. Linda is pretty I think.

I think names I'd be really surprised to hear would be Suzanne and Nicola, Martin, Stephen.

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bananaramma · 16/05/2013 12:41

A lot of names on this thread are far more interesting than some of the overused cutesy names (Alfie, Archie, Poppy, Molly etc) which may well become less appealing to parents.

Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 12:08

I remember sitting in work when I was pregnant and somebody asked me if I'd be naming the baby after his father, I said "no I think that's a really stupid thing to do, so confusing, perhaps after a grandparent, if you liked them, but to have two barrys under the one roof - ridiculous!!" then I realised my boss's son was also called Steven. It's quite common still. I'd never do it. women don't think of it.

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Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 12:06

I feel like there might be a baby Belinda very soon. I feel it in my bones Grin

Barry Junior!? BJ. Oh dear.

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Snowflakepie · 16/05/2013 12:03

I'm sure I read somewhere that popularity seems to skip 2 generations when it comes to naming, in general. So to me, my parents names are desperately old fashioned, 40s and 50s names. My grandparents names are still a bit dated, 1910s and 20s. My great grandparents all have names that wouldn't look out of place on a baby now. In fact I have given my DD middle names to honour that generation.

Works less well with boys as I think there are fewer names and a lot more to me seem timeless, but that's my opinion!

PattieOfurniture · 16/05/2013 12:00

My manager is Barry, he has a son Barry Junior (about 11 y/o), nn Bj Shock

LaVolcan · 16/05/2013 11:58

Linda is pretty I think.

In Spanish that is exactly what it means - pretty, beautiful.

thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:56

I do know a baby Sylvie.

thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:56

I am Valerie and the only one I have heard of lately is Julian Clary's dog!

Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:55

I like Scott. Good choice.

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Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:53

.... and saints names. Keep seeing Josephine mentioned.

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Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:53

Yeh, Madbuslady, I'd skip Sylvia if you're trying to be a little quirky. I seriously considered it for my son and he's 8. (ykwim). But now I think that any name ending in -ia is in keeping with the moment really. Olivia, Celia, Julia, Amelia, they all work now

Sylvester for a boy I can see rising. HONESTLY. I have reasons for predicting this. The next trend with be in line with the re-branding of the catholic churth. Popes name will become fashionable.

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MadBusLady · 16/05/2013 11:52

Valerie is lovely. Don't like Val though. Pamela is lovely too, but ditto Pam!

Original poster
JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:50

i HEARd of a baby Gloria.

And actually I think Valerie is very pretty, so if it sounds, or is starting to sound appealing even to some people (or even just me and hedwig's eldest!!) then I'd guess it'll rise.

Marilyn just seems steeped in something artificial and tragic. I don't know. Wouldn't like that. Meryl I like though.

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 16/05/2013 11:50

Someone I know has just named her baby Scott. It's not so dated as some names but the youngest Scott I've come across is 30ish so it's pretty 80s IME

Hedwig3 · 16/05/2013 11:45

What Rachel1234 said!

Boys names ending with ie sound
Girls names with el sound in

My eldest wants a baby sister called Valerie! Smile

thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:37

Does anyone know a baby Marilyn,Valerie or Gloria [all 40's] or a Kenneth, Gordon or Barry?

notso · 16/05/2013 11:33

I know four Ambers, two Tiffanys and three Heathers under 15.

rachel234 · 16/05/2013 11:15

The 'least appealing' names to many may be names that they find too widely used (overused) - Jack, Alfie, Ollie, Ellie, Evie, etc.

I actually think that many of these currently untrendy names mentioned here will slowly start to rise in popularity - I know a little Mabel and a Martin.

MadBusLady · 16/05/2013 11:11

Sylvia was shooting up the charts last time I looked. Give it another couple of years it'll be top 100 just in time for me to want to use it. Hmm

MolotovCocktail · 16/05/2013 11:05

I can't see Doris, Bertha, Beryl or Norbert coming back ever

50shadesofvomit · 16/05/2013 10:59

Norman too.

50shadesofvomit · 16/05/2013 10:59

I'd add Graham, Pauline, Cindy and Simon to that list.

monica77798 · 16/05/2013 10:56

I don't think Stephen or Steve is particularly out of touch. But I do agree with Tracey, Linda, Nigel, and Dennis. Maybe add Barbara, Neville, Sylvia, Roger, and Trevor.

evamummy · 16/05/2013 10:48

Isn't it a shame that we all choose similar names so they become really popular and associated with a certain era?

Actually, being a little Stephen or Michelle now would be easier than being yet another Jack or Ellie - at least your name would easily identify you!

ClaraOswald · 15/05/2013 19:59

I have heard of a six year old Dennis, a seven year old Keith, a friend has a baby Jodie, I have heard of a newborn Michael and a newborn Robert.