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Original poster

London uncommon names

60 replies

Namesforme · 09/09/2019 08:32

A question for MN users in London, as reading MN it seems there can be major differences in name 'trends' from London and the rest of the country.

I loved the name Wren but I feel like it's very common now. Sad. I also loved it for boys and originally understood it to be a boys' name (although MN users seem to firmly disagree on that). What names are there which are still uncommon or only just emerging in London please?

Boys and girls, unisex, and preferably short as our surname is merged / double barrelled.

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HelenBackergen · 20/09/2019 07:57

Uncommon however, what about

Natalie
Samantha
Keiley

Michael
Sean
Robert

HelenBackergen · 20/09/2019 07:55

My ds has a male Ren in his class but it's a nickname for Keiren.

I know 2 female Wrens aged 8 and 2.

Unless you make it up, I doubt you'll find a truly unique name.

whattodo2019 · 19/09/2019 22:59

I have met 4 Wrens in Hampshire recently. All girls

daisypond · 19/09/2019 14:05

It can be difficult to see popularity of names in London because it’s so multicultural. Eg, at my DC primary school, a third of children had African or Caribbean backgrounds, with African names or “old fashioned” English names - think Trevor, for example. Another third were Muslim, from countries like Bangladesh and had a different sort of name. The other third were European, including children from Germany, Italy, France, Spain, etc, so again different types of name. Maybe it depends on where you live.

VenusClapTrap · 19/09/2019 10:23

I think Wren is a beautiful name. Defo increasing in my neck of the woods (SE but not London). There are two little girl Wrens aged four or five at our small village primary.

Bird names are great, how about Robin? I’ve also always loved Linnet, and you don’t get many of them to the pound.

FizzyGreenWater · 17/09/2019 16:55

I know two Wrens, both female, both under 5.

The issue I have with it is that it's lovely written down and awful when said - Ren. As in Ren and Stimpy - hard, short, rough word.

It's just not a nice sound, though written down and by association it should be lovely!

BasiliskStare · 10/09/2019 05:00

John

OctopusNow · 10/09/2019 00:05

I don't know any Wrens but I do know two little Lauras! Grin

Dullblue · 09/09/2019 23:47

Ive met two baby Greys in the last 6 months!

diddlediddle · 09/09/2019 20:03

I know three Wrens under 3 in London and one elsewhere. It's hardly like you'll be overrun with them but you can't guarantee it'll be unique either. I think it has the feel of a 2017-2020 type zeitgeisty name. Depends if you mind that or not.

NationMcKinley · 09/09/2019 20:02

London as well: I know 2 Wrens, both are 4. Names that I’ve also heard lately are Ada (now know 3 baby Adas), Daphne (x2), Bob (not Robert or Bobby. He’s called Bob) and a little baby Barbara.

fancytiles · 09/09/2019 19:57

I'm in Notting hill and never heard of Wren

Muddlingalongalone · 09/09/2019 18:45

NW London here & don't know any.
Dd1 says none in her school.

MitziK · 09/09/2019 18:40

Wrens are bolshy as hell and shout their defiance to the world in a voice louder by size than any other bird.

They're hard as nails, Wrens.

Pcosmama · 09/09/2019 18:38

Not in a London so unsure if any of these are popular where you are but I do love Wren/Ren for either sex.
Also, based on what you've said have you thought about these for unisex:
Nox,
Reeve,
Nova,
Blue,
Bobbie,
Cove,
Bailey.

For girls:
Tara
Lyra
Pippa
Agnes
Cora
Etta
Fleur
Gwen
Bea

For boys:
Seth
James
Cole
Cohen
Rhett
Nate
Gryff
Kit
Rex
Rogie

MissHenty · 09/09/2019 18:00

How about Rudy /Rudi x

GraceWatt · 09/09/2019 14:28

I’ve never heard of anyone called Wren.

OP, how many do you know personally?

MissHenty · 09/09/2019 13:52

Willa for a girl. Always wished I’d used it. So rare

MissHenty · 09/09/2019 13:46

It sounds like Wren isn’t for you OP if you want to be 100% certain that there won’t be another at the school. It’s a lovely gorgeous unisex name though

Having said that I’m in London and never met a wren. I have a friend of a friend in Cornwall have a little boy called Reni

If you’re wanting a one off unusual boy’s name then google “uk names close to extinction”

Can I suggest “Clarence” there’s only about 4 born a year in the whole of the Uk

If you chose a name like Simon, David, Laura or Kate then you’ll have exactly the same problem all over again that you had growing up. Everyone will say “oh my mum/dad is called that”

GU24Mum · 09/09/2019 13:34

If you want something uncommon, then unless you're a very young mother, look at what names your friends and their siblings are called - discount any which you hear regularly and you're there!

I was at at school in the early 80s so for me the names which were popular but really aren't used much any more are:

Caroline
Claire
Nicola
Sarah etc etc

Simon
Dave/David
Andrew
Mike

There are still some (and one of my DCs has one of the names) but they are the type of names which mostly for my own DCs weren't modern enough nor old enough to be the granny/granddad ones like Stanley, Iris etc

Chillisauceboss · 09/09/2019 13:25

I don't tend to hear many welsh or Irish names. So depending on what your opinion is that is one way to have a rare name.
I'd avoid all flower names for girls
Avoid all 'old people' names Stan/Ethel etc
Another rule of thumb, if you see it mentioned on here often it's likely a buzz name - think Bear / Juno and will be fleetingly popular
Maybe look at very old classic Greek names

Chillisauceboss · 09/09/2019 13:22

Oh other popular names I'm hearing

Erin
Remi/ Remy
Wilf
Mara
Merryn
Merryl

Antonin · 09/09/2019 13:18

Dana,
Aphra
Crocus
Rene (REN-ay)
Maple
Jenet

eeksville · 09/09/2019 13:18

I just used that website link, one of my dc's name has jumped almost 1000 places in 2 yrs.

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