why do names differ so much - USA/UK

80 replies

Summerbluues · 18/08/2016 23:31

So just a late night thought and after seeing a post about a girls' name that I think would be totally accepted in the States but not so much here. It seems that across the pond they are much for "daring" with names, like there is more emphasis on trying to find something unique. I just commented on another post how "masculine" names are not all that rare for girls e.g Brynn, Ryan, Jamie.

My sister lives in Chicago and just through having a quick browse at her FB friends list I've found

Kayli
Kristi
Kenzi
Brandi
Tinley (x2)
Dakota
Desiree
Avery (x2)
Adalyn
Ariel (x3)
Westley
Charity
London
Trinidy
Darriyan
Shallise
Shelby
Delaney (x3)
Payton
Brynn/Brynne for a girl x 2
Lark
Raleigh
Logan
Tulley
Maydee
Lincoln (x2)
Tyree
Porter (x2)
Genesis
Braylon
Jett
Kamryn
Reese for a girl (x2)
Hadley (x2)
Brielle
Kennedi
Raina
Landry
Kaelyn
Piper (x4)
Madalyn (obvious Madeleine very common but never seen this spelling before!)
Sharise
Dixie
Presley (x3)
Haeliey
Kylynn
Kodi
Keilah

And those are just the ones that really stood out..it's like I would see those names and know straight away it was someone from the States and not the UK. Why do you think it is that across the pond they are more "out there" with names?

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sonlypuppyfat · 18/08/2016 23:47

I doubt any of those kids will be able to buy a mug with their name on

DramaAlpaca · 18/08/2016 23:42

That list of names is giving me the vapours [shudder]

I'd say Paperdoll's explanation is right.

MoosLikeJagger · 18/08/2016 23:41

Partly just a cultural difference. Partly depends on your social circle - I'm sure there are bits of the USA where Charlotte &c are very popular.

One cultural thing that does seem to be common(er) in the States is giving a child the mother's maiden name as a forename. Beyonce's name is a tweaking of her mother's maiden name, Beyince, for example.

I know too much about Beyonce

PaperdollCartoon · 18/08/2016 23:39

Possibly it's that they're a completely immigrant nation, a melting pot of so many different cultures/languages and therefore names, so more variation is likely to be spawned where there's less focus on name traditions like here.

There's also a much bigger culture of individuality over there, so parents are more likely to try to pick something different and unique. There's a growing trend of that here now, but it's been going on longer over there.

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 18/08/2016 23:35

Because they can't spell?

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