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Baby names

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Original poster

Are these names back in fashion?

131 replies

diddlediddle · 30/05/2019 22:09

Just wondering if we think these names are usable again. Eric already seems to be back in. I don't think any of these are inherently horrible words (except maybe Derek!)? What do we think - are any ok?

Neil
Alan
Keith
Ian
Martin
Malcolm
Trevor
Clive
Derek
Paul
Brian
Graham
Barry
Kenneth
Glen
Philip
Nigel
Colin
Terence
Kevin

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Original poster
diddlediddle · 31/05/2019 03:16

@Astronica interesting about the Americans. They have a weird mix of names over there!

OP posts:
Original poster
diddlediddle · 31/05/2019 03:15

That's so interesting so many of you know babies called these names, I genuinely didn't expect that.

@Sophronia I think those 30/40s names are already firmly back - I do know lots of babies with those names and they don't feel very radical, that's why I was thinking about the next stage!

OP posts:
SpeckofStardust · 31/05/2019 02:21

DS1 and DIL are expecting in December, and I’ve been kinda keeping an eye on trends with regards to old man names, tbh I’d have said all of these are ‘too soon’ given they are only a few years before my time and I know lots of them not much older than me.

I’ll be watching closely to see if any of these will be on the list for my prospective grandchild should it be a boy. I wouldn’t pick any of them myself (with the possible exceptions of Graham and Philip) in order to be prepared with my ‘that’s lovely, dears’ face. I know I will adore my grandchild’s name, even if it’s Derek, Keith or Brian, because if it’s his name it’ll be a brilliant name and the height of cool. Grin

Astronica · 31/05/2019 01:55

I think these are very usable and, in some cases, know some young ones:

Martin
Malcom
Clive
Paul
Philip

I look at US naming forums too and note that the Americans are loving Graham and Colin like they've just discovered these wonderful new names! Perhaps they weren't used commonly there as they were in other English speaking countries in past generations.

Sophronia · 31/05/2019 01:01

I think some of the names from the 30s/40s will have to come back first, like...

Frank
Leonard
Sidney
Ivan
Ernest
Ralph
Morris
Hugh
Gilbert
Robin
Dennis
Arnold
Percy
Walter
Ivor
Raymond
Alec
Lawrence
Edwin
Edgar

Cattenberg · 31/05/2019 00:08

I remember Ian from The Baby Club. He stood out, thanks to his name. I’ve never met a baby with any of these names, though, and I’ve been to a lot of baby groups in the past year.

I really like Alan, but I wonder if it’s slightly too soon for it to come round again. I can’t see myself using any of the others. But Paul seems fairly classic to me.

WaxOnFeckOff · 31/05/2019 00:05

Neil
Alan
Ian
Martin
Malcolm
Paul
Brian
Graham
Philip

I think these are all usable and probably ahead of the curve though many haven't gone away in Scotland. I know under 16s with all these except Philip. Also know a few young ones that I've deleted (Barry for instance? but I wouldn't say they were usable... :)

Greenolivesorblackolives · 31/05/2019 00:04

Day* not say

Greenolivesorblackolives · 31/05/2019 00:03

They wouldn’t be my choice but I’m sure they’ll have they say again.

SlimGin · 30/05/2019 23:59

I like Terrence :)

EL8888 · 30/05/2019 23:46

No 😂

BackforGood · 30/05/2019 23:44

I know 3 x Nursery aged Alans

floraloctopus · 30/05/2019 23:43

I know of Ian, Clive, Kenneth and Philip all in early primary school.

Kanga83 · 30/05/2019 23:26

I know three primary aged Phillips, I think it's a classic name. The rest no.

DramaAlpaca · 30/05/2019 23:16

I don't mind Neil & Philip, but the rest aren't great. That said, I know a five year old Alan.

chloechloeharris · 30/05/2019 23:12

martin and ian (iain) are not popular but heard of where i live. they're all horrible imo

Apple23 · 30/05/2019 23:09

I don't think Paul, Martin and Philip (more often Filip now) ever completely went away. I've seen Alan, Kevin and Graham occasionally, but not the others.

If you like Malcom and Colin, have you considered Colm?

mathanxiety · 30/05/2019 23:08

I know two Glens who are girls.

Also noticed two baby Pauls christened in my parish last year.

The rest, no.

BadTigerKitty · 30/05/2019 22:56

I've met babies Brian, Kevin, Alan, Martin, Ian, Neil and Paul from your list over the lady 8 years. Most recent (just a few months old) is a Kevin. Also a few Stephens - not on your list, but of a similar era. I find more boys names surprise me than girls

ReganSomerset · 30/05/2019 22:46

There's an Ian on Cbeebies baby club.

beansonbread · 30/05/2019 22:35

In recent years I've met children with the names Derek, Paul, Martin and Kevin but none of the others. Give it a few more years and they'll be back though.

LarkDescending · 30/05/2019 22:34

I know a primary-school aged Philip but none of the others.

I was wondering the other day when Mark will come back.

Wallabyone · 30/05/2019 22:22

I don't think Phillip belongs on that list really-it seems more classic to me. I think Graham with the shortening Gray is quite popular now.

Neolara · 30/05/2019 22:18

They are all awful imo.

Changingweather · 30/05/2019 22:17

I've taught 11 of those names as a primary school teacher (I'm only just in my 30s, so all in the last 10 years or less). Derek included ;) Not in the UK, but I can confirm they are still going strong in other parts of the world!

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