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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Rebecca timeless or dated?

217 replies

Candleflamingbright · 13/02/2020 21:40

Just that :-)

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GeraltOfRivia · 14/02/2020 07:40

Classic. Timeless. And nowhere near as common as it used to be in the 80s when there were 5 of us in one class.

Alsoco · 14/02/2020 07:18

Ugh. I hate it. I can say that it’s my name! I hate all variations of it too 😫

Poppydaisies · 14/02/2020 07:08

Very dated! It was very fashionable in the 1980s and has since fallen out of fashion, hence its dated.

But it's still a name.

Lexilooo · 14/02/2020 06:58

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again"

Of course it is a classic name!

lilgreen · 14/02/2020 06:48

Timeless

lottiegarbanzo · 14/02/2020 06:46

I thought 'quite similar to Rachel' before I read of the common confusion. They sound different but are similar styles of name and were popular at the same time.

There's a similar effect with Charlotte and Caroline (occasionally Catherine), for babies of the '70s.

Apolloanddaphne · 14/02/2020 06:23

I have a Rebecca. She is 22 and is known as Becca. She likes it and she doesn't have any other friends with the name unlike the many Ellie's she knows.

doublebarrellednurse · 14/02/2020 06:13

I love it it's a gorgeous name and can be a "professional" name if that makes sense.

I love Bec and Becca too

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 14/02/2020 06:10

Timeless and classy.
I think people are confusing "had a run of popularity 30 years ago" and "dated".
Dated would be something that was never a classic to begin with.

NineSwans · 14/02/2020 05:11

Dated.

Unfortunately, my chief association is also with Rebekah Vardy’s gravy permatan and fluorescent teeth.

Rosehip345 · 14/02/2020 05:10

Dated to the 90s

DorotheaHomeAlone · 14/02/2020 05:03

Massively dated. Sorry.

Mummyvictoria1 · 14/02/2020 04:07

My little girl is 6 and called Rebecca. She gets called Becca a lot but has decided now she is Rebecca and only wants her whole name 😂. I love the name. She's the only one in her school so it's not another "insert common name". Yet it's still beautiful and a strong name I feel works at any age. I wouldn't change it. We're expecting another girl and I'm trying to find another name which I find pretty, can be adapted but isn't overused. It's tough.

Cheerfullygo4 · 13/02/2020 23:48

Dated and overused in the 90's

Strugglingtoquit · 13/02/2020 23:39

Timeless

It had a surge of popularity in the 80s/90s but I know several teenage Rebeccas of various spellings. It’s much less popular now but I don’t think it’s dated in the way that some 80s name are

Loli2 · 13/02/2020 23:33

Rebecca is nice but hate that they get Bex, a bit trashy

ReviewingTheSituation · 13/02/2020 23:32

I'm one and it's done me ok for 47 years. I have a strong dislike for most of the shortenings, but that isn't a problem- I introduce myself as Rebecca and 'correct' (nicely, and politely) people who take it upon themselves to call me Becky. I'd say timeless - wouldn't think it at all odd to hear a baby being named it, and I know people of widely varying ages with it.

But what is it with people calling you Rachel???!! Happens all the time! Just this week I had a(nother) email from someone replying to my rebecca@.... email address with 'Hi Rachel'. They don't sound remotely alike!

Bitchbadgerplease · 13/02/2020 23:28

I don't know any under late 30s. I agree with dontchooseit which feels awful as Its not my name, but I know 2 who say basically all of what she's posted about her name. I think it sounds harsh and a bit drab, which none of the Rebeccas I know are!

manicinsomniac · 13/02/2020 23:26

I don't know whether being more common in the past than now makes a name dated or not, tbh. It's certainly gone from top 5 when I was born in the 80s to well outside the top 150. But I still think it's quite timeless. It will never be an unknown name.

I teach two (one age 10 and one age 11).

But when I was growing up we frequently to label ourselves Rebecca, Becca, Becky and Bex plus sonetimes use surname initials to avoid confusion. We were everywhere.

I like my name but I don't like it shortened (I'm ok with Bex at a push). I have come across Rivkah as a nickname but I think that might be more a variant than a shortening. Really like it though.

I always wanted to be spelled Rebekah. Looks nicer, is the original Biblical spelling and makes the name a bit different.

Astronica · 13/02/2020 23:25

Timeless, though a huge surge in the 1970s and 80s can make it seem dated to those who know a few born in that era. I love it.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/02/2020 23:21

Dated but nice.

Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople · 13/02/2020 23:20
  • we are not (grammar is apparently a soft spot)
Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople · 13/02/2020 23:19

@VirtualHamster Oite no were are not Wink

I'm a Rebecca but usually go by Becca Bex or anything that isn't Becky!

Never had an issue with it Grin

twinkledag · 13/02/2020 23:16

Timeless

Emijen · 13/02/2020 23:09

Timeless

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