Kevin

whose !

DH who's (first and middle names are already mentioned on this fab thread!) has just mentioned Keith and Sean / Shaun.... I have to agree, not nice!

Damien's not great either.....
Or Neil?

It probably also has a lot to do with the changing fashion in how family names are used. It used to be common for children to be named after their parents, but the current fashion is to avoid giving existing family names as first names. So the eg Richards and Johns, which may be the names of dads, uncles, granddads etc, are being consigned to the middle name spot instead of the first name.

Going back to Richard again; whilst Richard isn't obscure by any means, it absolutely has hugely declined in popularity. Interestingly, it is much higher up the rankings as a middle name now - I suspect many people choose a family name for the middle name and it is a nod to the very many Richards in the parental and grand parental generation, but also recognition that far fewer want to choose it as a first name.
In my mind, it isn't a name like Kevin, or other 'trendy' names which rise and fall relatively quickly - I think Richard will return strongly as a classic name.

Sarah, Rebecca and Rachael are pretty. Although popular in the 70s they are still traditional names (biblical names) IMO.

same with John, Mark etc. Traditional names that go through stages of popularity.

Tracey, Wendy, Kevin , Gavin etc I don't like. I can't even say why, there's a unconscious snob thing going on there I think.

There's not nearly enough "Gazza" "bazza" and "shazzas" in the world.

Or dazzas.

(Garry, Barry, Sharon and Darren).

is that only an australian thing for shortening "bogan" 70s names?

That wasn't a recent article. I remember we discussed its inaccuracy, and it being a non-issue, a few years ago.

The article I read about the name 'Richard' was in The Times. It gave figures for how many babies were called Richard at the same point for the last 5 decades. The number of babies called Richard these days is very low - it clearly isn't obscure, as it's a name everyone knows. It just isn't anywhere near as popular as before with people having babies in the last 5-10 years.

However, I suspect this will be a blip - names of English monarchs have long term appeal.

Agree about Richard not being dated or having fallen into obscurity.

These 'comeback' threads always give me the rage Most of the names cited as dated, thanks to anecdata, (including the one in the blasted OP) have not fallen into obsolescence and, in fact, are experiencing a relatively healthy usage and popularity.

Yes Mathanxiety, Rachel was the only repeated name in my DC1's class.

I have always thought of that as an anomaly that needs an explanation! The trends for most names match the trends in the UK but not Rachel!

I think it's still used in Ireland. I know of three Richards between the ages 14 and 9.

Richard certainly isn't "dated". It may be less popular atm, but it's never fallen into obscurity.

What about names our Dad's have a are they due a comeback?

• Alan
• Dereck

I read an article in the newspaper saying Richard was a name that had taken a huge slide from very popular for generations to extremely dated.

In my mind, names of monarchs and names from the New Testamanet are classics and will always be sensible decent names. Interestingly,it's the Old Testament names that are more popular at the moment and the Johns, Andrews,Peters, Pauls etc which are less popular - but I wouldn't consider them dated as still very solid names.

The unusual names which people choose or which are trendy now, will date those children far more to the decade of their birth and become dated, than the real classics.

There is a Gareth in one of the classes at DD's school, but I don't think I know any young Kevins.

What about Derek?

I know a few Kevin's

They are aged 2,5& 40

Lots of Rachels and Kevins here, including a sibling set that I know. Rachels tend to have sisters named Sara/h.

Egbert It's my name unfortunately but to me it's forever a slightly overweight middle-aged woman. And now I am that woman

What's wrong with Jacqueline/Jackie?

I don't know of any Sarahs that aren't in their 30s/40s. My Dd's name is a sort of versionof Sarah and she is the only one in her school (primary)

Kevin. On a par with Gary, Steven, Jason and Darren. Not horrible but will probably see a resurgance in about 30 years when all the now trendy names become really overused. Still reminds me of the loner kid who smelt of snot at primary school in the early 80s though!

LOLing at the toddler twins called Dave and Mike . I would expect them to be at least 35yo, possibly working in a garage.

Sarah's never gone away to be able make a comeback. Has never been out of top 100, not for over a century anyway.

I remember trying to stifle a laugh when a former neighbour said she was considering this name for her baby boy. Kevin is a really fashionable name in Italy - at least it was 6 years ago.