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Baby names

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Original poster

Has Ethan been done to death?

41 replies

Foxtrot101 · 23/09/2022 07:50

I've liked the name Ethan for as long as I can remember but then went off it when there seemed to be Ethan's everywhere. Everyone I know, knows an Ethan! On this basis it was discounted for DS1. Now we are due with DS2 and struggling for a name we both love, DH brought up Ethan last night and I thought maybe I need to revisit it.
I like that it's a name people know and can spell and that wears well on a child, teen and adult. But the huge flipside for me is that it's one of those names now that just bores people because there have been so many.
Thoughts?

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FairytaleofNewHampshire · 24/09/2022 17:09

I really love this name. We almost used it for DS, who is 24 now but we chose a different one.
When he realised he was nearly called Ethan, he said he was pleased he wasn't and thought it was a horrible name.

mathanxiety · 24/09/2022 16:56

Yes, it has.
I can't figure out what this name has going for it. To me it sounds like the noise of a draught blowing under a door.

maranella · 24/09/2022 16:46

I know a few Ethans born between 2007-2012, but none since then and according to Bounty's Top 100 names for 2022, Ethan has dropped from 24 to 34. If you love it, go for it. He's your baby and you can name him what you want!

Roselilly36 · 24/09/2022 16:44

Only ever known one, child would be about 16 now, I like it.

Luredbyapomegranate · 24/09/2022 16:39

It’s never been that popular, although I agree there were a flurry of them a while ago, so it sounds a bit 2005 (or whenever it was.)

I’d use it, it’s quite a nice name

KnottyKnitting · 24/09/2022 15:34

I have just retired from teaching and can think of 2 Ethan's at work and 1 who was a friend's son.

Lovely name and as others said nowhere near as prolific as Harry, Alfie, Archie and Charlie.

bloominglovelyorange · 24/09/2022 15:22

Ethan is lovely

It peaked at number 11 in 2011 (4,500 babies called Ethan that year). Its been falling in the charts ever since. About to drop out the top 40 now if you look at the official ONS charts. I don't know any. Less than 1,500 babies called Ethan in 2020. Will be even fewer in 2021 and 2022 given the graphs.

Dylan another option

Lilacsunflowers · 23/09/2022 14:56

Ethan feels like a 90s name, like Ryan imo

KirstenBlest · 23/09/2022 14:04

I know a few, born during the past 25 years. It was on others' baby name lists but they went with other names.

GlassDeli · 23/09/2022 14:02

I don't think it is overdone. To me it is a classic Biblical name.

whatsagoodusername · 23/09/2022 13:30

I've got one, who is nearly 12. He's had another in his year group at primary school, but I don't know any others. No idea if there are any in his year group now he's started y7.

I had no idea if it was popular, peaked, anything! I just always liked it. I suggested it, DH said okay, we went with it.

It's easy. People know how to say it (ignoring the th/f regional pronunciation) and spell it. There's never any issues with it.

properdoughnut · 23/09/2022 12:51

Lilacsunflowers · 23/09/2022 12:49

More timeless alternatives to Ethan:

Nathan
Rowan
Reuben
Quentin

Ah didn't see your post!

I agree with PP Ethan seems quite boring and predictable to me tbh

properdoughnut · 23/09/2022 12:50

Nathan?

Lilacsunflowers · 23/09/2022 12:49

More timeless alternatives to Ethan:

Nathan
Rowan
Reuben
Quentin

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 23/09/2022 12:29

I don't know any Ethans.

toastofthetown · 23/09/2022 12:25

Here’s the popularity graph for Ethan in England and Wales. It’s peaked twice, once about twenty years ago and another about ten years ago and has steadily been declining since then (though still firmly in the top hundred). Personally it bores me and it feels tired due to recent popularity, but that’s just my opinion and almost certainly informed but he fact that I’m more interested in names than most. Objectively it’s a solid name that will wear well. It may well date, but unless you go for something so classic/dull such as James or William or something so out there it fits into absolutely no name trends whatsoever, it’s hard to avoid that and it’s not something I’m concerned about.

RuthW · 23/09/2022 12:23

Not at all popular but a bit dated now. If you like it, go for it.

outtheshowernow · 23/09/2022 12:12

I work in a school south east uk only one Ethan. I love the name also love nathan and nathaniel

Needmorelego · 23/09/2022 11:04

I know of two. One who is about age 23 and one who is about 9.
Unfortunately I am one of those people who just can't say it properly - I always say it "Ee-fan". Big apologies to all Ethan's out there. I do try 🙂

pumpkinfan · 23/09/2022 10:34

I don't know a single Ethan. Never met one in my whole life. But who cares if it's a common name anyway? My son is called Jack. It's a really common name among all generations. But I love it and when I think of Jack now, I obviously only think of my son. And I don't think other people will be bored by a name. They won't think that much about it!

B00mShakeShakeShakeTheR00m · 23/09/2022 10:30

I only know one (aged five).

Thinkbiglittleone · 23/09/2022 10:21

I only know 2 Ethan's.
I don't think it's that popular, although my friend chose a niche name and then one turned up in the same class as him. Literally the only 2 of that name that we are heard of in England through all our baby groups (of which we did many Blush) through their nursery and now in the whole of the school.

So just pick one you like, it really doesn't matter if it's popular or not.

bombombo · 23/09/2022 10:05

I don't think it's too overused. Prefer Evan though.

caroleanboneparte · 23/09/2022 10:05

Yes Ethan was at its peak a decade or so ago.

No reason not to use it though.

Ewan also peaked around the same time.

Evan or Everly or Edward are more 'now'.

Other names like Seth, Dylan, Cody, Harris, Brodie, Tyler are similar imo.

SalviaOfficinalis · 23/09/2022 09:15

What about Evan?

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