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Original poster

Is Florence becoming overused?

29 replies

southwestlondon · 12/03/2014 11:38

My husband and I like the name Florence for our baby girl, but I am concerned that there seem to be lots of other Florences in our area and I am worried that she will end up having tons of other Florences in her class. What are other people's experiences of this name please? Am I just being paranoid here?!

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HolidayCriminal · 16/03/2014 10:20

In the past I have know only 2 Florences who would now be about 7 & 15.

DD is an Isabel, "the name" of her generation. One other at nursery, None in her classes at primary, few others in all of her clubs & activities. There's 1 other she knows of in her yr7 cohort of 200+ pupils. They don't share any classes, but have developed a habit of shouting across the playground at each other, "Hi Isobel! Your name is ace!" replied with "Yay, you're awesome too!"

pettyprudence · 16/03/2014 09:21

I know a couple of Florences and they are all named that after their parents visited the city and thought it was the most beautiful place ever. I must visit...

smokeandglitter · 16/03/2014 09:14

I know of quite a few little Florence's. I thought it seemed to become popular after Florence and the machine got big, so I think of the song dog days every time I hear it. Not that that's bad, I love her music!

SmileAndNod · 16/03/2014 07:01

I know one (baby), and I love the name.

Incidentally I have a DS whose name was top five ONS list for YEARS. He is the only one in his class (and was all the way through nursery) and I think there are only two in the entire primary school. So like pp said just because it's popular it doesn't mean they will be one of ten in their class. OTOH a name which I've rarely heard used - there are two boys in his class!

If you like a name, use it. Wouldn't worry too much about what everyone else thinks. She may not even look like a Florence once she's arrive Smile

IceNoSlice · 16/03/2014 06:32

I know 3 Florences under 3.

One of them has a sister named Sienna.

tammytoby · 16/03/2014 06:26

Yes, becoming very fashionable around here!
Prefer the suggestions of Sienna and Roma.

toobreathless · 15/03/2014 22:06

I know 3,

My 87 year old grandmother
A family friend who is 9 years
And a friends newborn

DaveMccave · 15/03/2014 21:54

I know about 4 (under 5) I think the last available name charts will be outdated too, I think it peaked in the last two years due to Florence and the Machine. So yes, pretty popular.

looki · 13/03/2014 18:34

I think it's an ok name, not awful and not great.

The thing about looking at name stats regionally is that people tend to move and travel when they grow up so the overall popularity should be taken into account more than the popularity in each region.

My own daughter has quite a popular name here on MN but I love it and that's the only thing that matters for now. Hopefully she will like it herself too.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 13/03/2014 16:21

I only know of one Florence, who is about 8.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 13/03/2014 14:15

I know a baby Florence. Never been too keen on the name myself.

VenusDeWillendorf · 13/03/2014 09:16

You could use Turin, or Venice if you want to name her after a city in Italy!

Or Firenze if you want to go native.

Would you consider Roma?

And a little sister could be Siena? Or Ravenna?
Or Assisi for a boy. (Shortened to Sissy?) :)

Personally, I think of the large cathedral dome and of the cow in the magic roundabout when thinking of Florence. I also think of the shortened term for period - Aunt Flo. just check out the trying to conceive boards!

There are lots of Florences where we are. It's all a bit Villa in Tuscany isn't it? Driving over lemons. Bit yawny.

I'd go for something else: grab a map if you're determined on a major European city: Madrid, Prague or Valletta. ;) or you could look further afield - Rio, Sydney, Yalta.

Not many Devons around here, but then, that's too local!

Orangeisthenewbanana · 13/03/2014 09:00

I know one under 2 (South east)

salvadory · 12/03/2014 23:22

I know 3 under 6 (5,4 and 2 months) and 1 in her teens, lovely name (I'm in the NW).

Alisvolatpropiis · 12/03/2014 23:06

I don't know a single one nor even heard of one in my general area.

It is worth bearing in mind that "popular" in 2014 doesn't mean quite the same thing as it did in the 1970's. Or indeed the many centuries preceding. People are much more adventurous than they once were.

Ali398 · 12/03/2014 19:16

I only know 1 so don't think so but maybe depends where u live

YomAsalYomBasal · 12/03/2014 16:10

Yes. I know several.

minipie · 12/03/2014 16:05

I'm in London and know 2 under 2. (And I don't know that many children).

BrianTheMole · 12/03/2014 15:54

I don't know any. Pretty name. My dd has one of the most popular names, and I only vaguely know one other. No others in her class.

Thurlow · 12/03/2014 15:53

I know 2 under the age of two - it's certainly becomming more popular around my way, but a lot of the old-fashioned names are popular here (Home Counties)

pommedeterre · 12/03/2014 15:52

*two!!!

pommedeterre · 12/03/2014 15:52

I know too - one is 5 and one is 1. Both live in London!

littlemissbroadway · 12/03/2014 15:52

Keep in mind that those 1534 babies born last year are combined between England AND Wales. I would look at regional statistics for your area. Bounty.com and Britishbabynames.com both show them.

Country wise though;

England has Florence at 33rd
Wales has Florence at 55th
Scotland has Florence at 203rd (22 births)
Northern Ireland has Florence at 229th (8 births)

Roseandmabelshouse · 12/03/2014 15:46

Lots! (I'm a midwife)

chelsbells · 12/03/2014 13:41

I work in a nursery and we have 3 Florence's - certainly becoming very popular! Still a lovely name though.

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