Thoughts on the names Freddie/Fred and Lily for b/g twins?

Yup Archers here too. I've listened most of my life. Not sure how much it matters but there will definitely be an awful lot of people thinking or saying the same thing to them which could get very irritating throughout their lives.

Immediately thought of the Archers. As to it being an old lady thing , DNiece had been inculcated to The Archers since the womb and has introduced several of her uni mates to the joys of Ambridge - they listen while they're cooking their supper.

I'm the same age as you and I've never heard of the archers.

I love both names. I am one of those that likes a long name with a nn like Freddie/ Lilly, probably to do with the profession I work more substantial names seem important. But I am probably being a snobby cow (I'm really not!)

Perhaps worth considering that Freddie and Lily are now about 20 - so that might indicate that those names for babies now might be a bit old fashioned.

The Archers is the most famous, longest-running radio series in the world. It’s no use saying “my /my children’s generation won’t have heard of it,” because chances are they will. My 20-somethings will listen to it sometimes, and even young people grow up and might end up listening when older. However, I still think using Freddie and Lily is OK. They are standard normal names. I much prefer Frederick, though, with the option of Fred or Freddie.

yup, the archers here too
your babies may be younger than Freddy and Lily Pargeter, but it's a permanent thing on a major UK radio station with millions of listeners. Both a bit clueless currently but may come good in the end.
I wouldn't

I think it sounds like a lovely pair of names!

I thought of the Archers but I don't think that should be a deal-breaker. I know twins called Viola and Sebastian and you don't get much more "twins from fiction" than that.

I immediately thought of Fred and Lilli, the main characters in Kiss Me Kate. But everyone has different cultural references and they're good names.

yes I thought of the Archers too - and I'm not their typical demographic really either, not even English. But anyone who listens to radio 4 - I have it on generally in the car - will end up coming across it at some point on as it's on every day, only for a short time, so you end up listening to it regardless. So there's a chance that even if the young children don't make the association, they might end up listening as they are adults and tune in, if it's still going by then and these characters are still there. Plus as others have said, they'll hear comments from lots of people about it during their childhood. It really isn't just people who are fans of it and tune in specifically for it that will be aware of it, but just anyone who listens to Radio 4 on any sort of semi-occasional basis.

WhatAWasteOfOranges

The Archers is an old lady thing, so you’re right not to worry about that!

Nice segueing of ageism and sexism there!
You might be a bit wide of the mark though:

According to ­audience figures released by BBC Sounds, The Archers was the second most requested ­programme on the app among under-35s

Anyway OP, there's another set of twins on their way in the current storyline who are being dubbed Pinky and Perky on another thread

I find 2 names ending in an eee sound a bit naff and too cutsie..... lily and Fred is fine.... lily and Freddie is not

A name from a soap wouldn't normally be an issue, and either Freddie or Lily alone would be fine but twins are uncommon so naming them after fictional twins is likely to raise comments.

That's true. TBH if they were siblings not twins I'd say go for it. But twins "named after" twins...

I'd also say even if the Archers "only" has 5million regular listeners, there will be plenty of others who have listened at some point in the last 20 years and might remember the twins' names. He is always "Freddie" though AFAIK so if you stick to Fred it could be ok.

People will assume that you are a massive fan of The Archers.

You'll get asked about their father falling off the roof and the cost of living in a stately home. Then there's Freddie's conviction for drug dealing.......

I wouldn't underestimate how many listeners there are.

A name from a soap wouldn't normally be an issue, and either Freddie or Lily alone would be fine but twins are uncommon so naming them after fictional twins is likely to raise comments.

I’m sure you will cope with the Archers thing, it’s more how will your children enjoy being told about it by their teachers/nice lady at the bus stop/colleagues - it could go for another 50 years and follow them throughout life. Basically if you’d steer clear of twin names from any other well known soap, steer clear of these. Agree with a PP it’s a hostage to fortune as well, jf say Freddie in the Archers died in a fire or was found to be a paedophile…

The other twins in the Archers are called Kenton and Shula - -clearly their mother was barking- - so I’d steer clear of that too

The Archers is an old lady thing, so you’re right not to worry about that!
Love both names and think they suit together really nicely.

Best of luck with the twins! Double the joy

You could go with Shula and Kenton?

Gorgeous names - go for it! Don't like Elle particularly. I have a work colleague who writes her name as Elle but pronounces it Ellie - really confusing.

Shula would make me think Archers because I know of no other!

Frederic and Lilith with nicknames is cute. I'm not fussed about popularity myself.

I used to listen to the Archers but must have missed Freddie and Lily.
I don't see it as an issue as they aren't out there names ATM at all.