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Baby names

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

Original poster

Classic names that are currently underused

67 replies

HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 19:37

It's mostly boys names that come to mind

Mark
Matthew
Luke
John (all the Gospel writers then!)
Jonathan
Paul
Stephen
Gregory
Peter
Andrew
Philip

Mary

Oh I've realised that my list is all made up of names with a history in the Christian tradition so that might explain why, with the decline in church attendance? Would that really be a reason or is it purely fashion?

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manicinsomniac · 24/06/2013 07:47

Rebecca and Sarah are still in common use for babies - they're both in the top 100 for 2011 anyway.

I don't know if they're classic or not but names I haven't seen on anyone under 13 for a long time are:

Amanda, Angela, Barbara, Brenda, Belinda, Caroline, Clarissa, Celia, Diana, Erica, Frances, Freda, Gloria, Gwendoline, Heather, Irene, Julie, Janet, Jane, Jean, Joan, Laeticia, Marjorie, Maureen, Monica, Muriel, Patricia, Pamela, Prudence, Ruth, Rita, Susan, Shirley, Sandra, Theresa, Ursula, Veronica, Virginia, Winifred, Wilhemina, Yolanda, Yvonne, Yvette.

Alistair, Nigel, Norman, Ian, Frank, Gareth, Graham, Colin, Derek, Darren, Martin, John, Timothy

I think boys names are a) less numerous anyway and b) don't go out of fashion so much

TheApprentice · 24/06/2013 07:09

Yes, Honey, that was pretty obvious wasn't it? I would like it if Kate and Will's baby is a girl and is called Mary - its due a comeback I think! Incidentally I am not Catholic but Mary was the only name my Dad liked in the baby book apparently!

Naebother · 23/06/2013 21:56

Just realised. You said " classic" OP Blush

Naebother · 23/06/2013 21:55

Colin
Lesley
Julie
Sharon
Stephen
Adrian
Kay
Phil

Yika · 23/06/2013 21:53

Barbara

invicta · 23/06/2013 21:52

Patricia
Theresa
Simone
Maria
Mary
Helen
Felicity

Paul
Steven
Stephen
David
Richard
Nicholas
Andrew

Winterfel · 23/06/2013 21:48

Susan
Helen

Michael
Peter

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:29

Interesting MrsPaddy but I wonder why he doesn't also follow Maria/Marie as those of Latino descent are a large section of the population and most are at least nominally Catholic. I agree with him on the naming trend for more individual name choices.

Zeb as rather fantastic though! Mentioned as a grandad's name. Is it safe enough to have a Zebeedee these days [showing my Magic Roundabout age]?

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Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:22

TheApprentice hello Mary Grin!

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mrspaddy · 23/06/2013 21:21

www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2012/12/why-dont-parents-name-their-daughters-mary-anymore/265881/

This is a nice article on the use of the name Mary. We are both Catholic.

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:18

More underused for baby girls?

Ellen
Caroline
Jane
Frances
Rachel
Joan
Ann/Anne
Deborah
Virginia
Sally
Patricia
Dinah

OP posts:
mrspaddy · 23/06/2013 21:17

We are going for Mary if we have a little girl.

FleeBee · 23/06/2013 21:13

I know lots of Ben / Benjamin

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:09

There aren't many names beginning with B or P (I don't count Phoebe!) that are popular right now?

Boris?

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Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:06

We had a neighbor called Bridget back in the US she was born around 2003. Her parents said they had never met a Bridget they didn't like. Her brother was Jack.

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Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:05

Cross-post on Bridget and Francis Wink

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Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 21:03

Squoosh agreed. The US population is at least 25% Catholic so that also explains Michael's continued popularity there too. Gabriel survived much better better in Ireland for the same reason.

Other classic Catholic names
Teresa
Francis
Xavier
Benedict
Raphael/Raphaela
Clare
Patrick
Bridget
Maria

Not to say non-Catholics don't use them but Catholics consistently do.

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Mollydoggerson · 23/06/2013 21:03

Bridget
Helen
Francis
Margaret

Edward

SisterMatic · 23/06/2013 21:01

I am one of those names, my Dds middle name is there too Grin

TheApprentice · 23/06/2013 21:00

Honey, in your first list you have me, dh and ds1! Didn't realise we were so traditional!

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 20:58

on arrival

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Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 20:57

Sarah is still alive and well over here in Germany.

Philip &
Paul-Philip have a good showing too

Also
Paulina (Pawlina)

All "Paul" names seem dead in arrival in Blighty

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squoosh · 23/06/2013 20:57

Matthew is the No.1 boy's name in Ireland.

Michael was never an ultra popular name in the UK as historically it was seen to be very Catholic.

SupermansBigRedPants · 23/06/2013 20:52

Mark - we considered for ds

Luke - i liked luke/lucas if this bump was a boy

Andrew - i love but dated a few in my youth and df wasn't keen on it for ds grr.

Sarah is a fab name - i know a couple under 10 also a douglas and a baby brian Hmm

I love graham ted and edward but can't use them through family/friends on df's side which blows.

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 20:49

Michael is another one that the Brits have abandoned but still über popular Stateside.

Tim (othy) I think someone mentioned this name up thread.

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