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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names whose popularity mystify you

303 replies

Movablefeast · 04/12/2017 16:57

I feel I must be showing my age because I don't understand the popularity of Fern/e. I don't hate it, I am just amazed at it's immense popularity. Why do you think it has caught the zeitgeist at the present time?

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RavenWings · 04/12/2017 23:35

Seconding Reuben, but for different reasons - to me it sounds wet and meek.
Ditto Robin, Louis, Noah, Oliver, Alfie, Charlie...just blah.

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 04/12/2017 23:31

Reuben. Sounds like a pikey bare knuckle boxer

It might be worth pointing out that whatever you think about Reuben, 'Pikey' is considered to be an offensive - arguably racist - word.

Buntysoven · 04/12/2017 22:42

I don't think Fern is very popular. We loved it because it is soft sounding without being wet.. if that makes sense. I detest the name Sidney/Sydney which sounds really sour to me. Wouldn't do to all like the same names!

DiegoMadonna · 04/12/2017 22:10

Reuben. Sounds like a pikey bare knuckle boxer.

It's quite weird how we can all have our own personal feelings attached to names. For me, Reuben is a really middle-class, good-mannered name!

OP, in terms of names whose popularity really mystify me, rather than just names I don't like (because that list would be as long as my arm), Oliver is definitely a weird one. I don't like many of the top 10 names but I'm not particularly surprised at them. Oliver, however... I never even knew it was popular until I started looking at names for my own DC, and I never expected it. It's so bland and weak. "Oliver". Bleugh.

Stilllookingforwaldo · 04/12/2017 21:59

Some people on this thread are super bitter over names🤔 why so angry? Let people name their kids what they like-live and let live.

Orangebird69 · 04/12/2017 21:52

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Original poster
Movablefeast · 04/12/2017 21:44

I still have a soft spot for Gary who was my major crush when I was 14. Oh the Deans and the Darrens the Gails, Sharons, Michelles, Fayes and Lornas! Those were the ('80s) days!

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ephemeralfairy · 04/12/2017 21:41

I'm really hoping for a resurgence of Kevin/Brian/Martin/Gavin/Shane/Sean etc.
Sarah and Tracey for girls.

itssquidstella · 04/12/2017 21:10

Bailey/Bayley

Smoliver · 04/12/2017 20:44

Archie is an old man's name to me and makes me think of Eastenders. I'm not a huge fan of nickname names either, such as Alfie, Albie, Charlie, Ollie, etc. Never liked the name Florence. Also, just outside the top 100 is the name Edith. I'm all for vintage names making a resurgence but this one is just a no for me.

Sorry if I offend anyone!

AnnaAlyce · 04/12/2017 20:31

Oh and Bella too. It just doesn't seem like a proper name but again everyone seems to fawn if anyone names their baby Bella.

AnnaAlyce · 04/12/2017 20:31

Willow and Olive.

Each time anyone I know has named their baby either of these names everyone has fawned and said what beautiful names they are. I think they're awful! They're a bit 'Emperor's New Clothes' I think

MikeUniformMike · 04/12/2017 20:21

If you look at lists of new barristers they have all sorts of different names. QCs have all sorts of different names.
e.g.
www.thelawyer.com/issues/online-january/qc-appointments-hit-six-year-high-113-new-silks/

NoelNiki · 04/12/2017 20:00

Also Violet .....sounds like Violent

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 04/12/2017 19:59

x-post with Mike on Beau!

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 04/12/2017 19:58

Here is your lawyer Bella

Blimey. There's worse than that! Grin. I know a lawyer called Bella actually.

These threads always end up bashing the same names, so I'm not getting involved other than to say that Beau as a girl's name just isn't right.

Beau is a nice name, but definitely for a boy...

Mayhemmumma · 04/12/2017 19:58

Emily, Isla and phoebe always somewhat dissapoint me. Pleasant enough names but dull.

MikeUniformMike · 04/12/2017 19:57

Belle, Beau (although Bo is cute as long as they don't smell weird).

Belle with a surname starting with End would be most unfortunate.

BossyBitch · 04/12/2017 19:54

Bella studying to become a doctor. Here is your lawyer Bella. Urgh. No.

... and in the same vein: anything cutesy and flowery:

And after the break, Trixie Hamilton, our CFO, will talk to you about our latest quarterly forecast

I think I might actually be willing to spend a minor amount to be in that meeting. Grin

BossyBitch · 04/12/2017 19:51

Olivia! Confused

Not awful as such (though also really not that great IMO) but forever ingrained in my mind as the name of the most horribly psychopathic colleague I ever had to suffer.

happydays00 · 04/12/2017 19:47

Bella. I know it's an absolutely legitimate name but for me personally I just really dislike. Oh baby Bella. Bella studying to become a doctor. Here is your lawyer Bella. Urgh. No.

Hotpinkangel19 · 04/12/2017 19:47

Evelyn. Nevaeh - just why???? It's ridiculous!!!! Not even a name, just a word spelt backwards!!!!!

NoelNiki · 04/12/2017 19:44

All the popular names too. Sophie. Ella. Sophia, they are just so boring.

MikeUniformMike · 04/12/2017 19:44

They are all ok apart from Gwen, which I'm not sure about.

I meant names that haven't been around for centuries like Dylan or Amelie. Still, those names are popular but I can't understand why,

Coconutspongexo · 04/12/2017 19:43

My brothers ex was called Vespar - such a strange name.

One of my nieces is a Nancy and she really suits it but she has an old head on her.