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Original poster

How ‘old lady’ is Iris?

81 replies

Sunday4 · 28/10/2022 08:01

As a general rule, I’m not a fan of vintage sounding, ‘old people’ names.

But I do like Iris. For some reason, I feel like Iris has a bit of an edge to it, and I like names with an edge (not edge as in edgy-trendy, more that the sound has an edge. I don’t know how to explain what I mean here!)

Now I know Iris IS an old name - and it’s on all the vintage name idea lists - but when you hear the name, do you immediately think ‘old lady’?

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greenshirt06 · 02/11/2022 17:35

I'm calling my baby this if I have a girl so naturally, yes I love it!

TenoringBehind · 02/11/2022 16:58

Not at all. All the Irises I know or know of are school age.

10-20 years ago I knew old ladies called Iris but they’ve all since died.

Howeverdoyouneedme · 02/11/2022 12:13

I know an 11 year old Iris and only know one other aged 8. I don’t think it’s overly popular.

misteriosa · 02/11/2022 12:08

I think Iris was an "old lady" name until about 10-15 years ago. It isn't now, because it's been fully revived.

PurBal · 02/11/2022 06:42

The only Iris I know is in primary school so, no, I don’t think it’s that old lady like.

Penguinsaregreat · 02/11/2022 06:41

I think it’s bang on trend if that helps. I remember when the name Emily was an old lady name and absolutely nobody would call a baby Emily. Then a work colleague used it for her baby, I was stunned. Now look at it. It’s modern, classic, cute etc.

onedayiwillflyaway1 · 01/11/2022 00:46

I think it's a lovely name.

mathanxiety · 01/11/2022 00:10

Very old lady, and sort of prim.

justasking111 · 01/11/2022 00:09

We have an Iris. She's five and it's a lovely name

ManefesationofConciousness · 31/10/2022 23:56

ManefesationofConciousness · 31/10/2022 23:46

It says 1910 strong woman suffragette- rosette beauty
It is a lovely name

GRRR rossetti beauty

SheepDance · 31/10/2022 23:51

I always think of eyes, personally.
But I've only ever met Iris' born after around 2012, so I wouldn't say it's an old persons name at all.

ManefesationofConciousness · 31/10/2022 23:46

It says 1910 strong woman suffragette- rosette beauty
It is a lovely name

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 31/10/2022 23:30

I know a 40 year old Iris (was named after her Grandmother who would be in her 90's now), who was really embarrassed by her name when younger - as most kids didn't think Greek Goddess or Flower but "old lady".

Of course, it's back in fashion now- but everyone wants to fit in as a kid and luckily your Iris will (along with her peers Mabel, Nancy, Ivy, Elsie, Ada...). It's a lovely name imo btw - but then I did/do think of the Greek Goddess and flower first, rather than it's retro vibe.

Purplecatshopaholic · 30/10/2022 21:05

Beautiful name. A friends just had a granddaughter called Iris.

DurdleSnore · 30/10/2022 21:03

I used to think ‘old lady name’ but since the resurgence of vintage names, I no longer think so as I know lots of young girls under 10 called Violet, Mabel, Iris, Ada etc. It’s a fab name imo.

RedToothBrush · 30/10/2022 15:27

I know a couple of Iris.

Its of the moment, so no i wouldnt think old lady.

Winter41 · 29/10/2022 22:19

My daughter is Iris and is 9 so I don't associate it with old ladies. We wanted a name for her that wasn't too cutesy and delicate sounding. She has definitely lived up to that!

Fivebeanchilli · 29/10/2022 22:11

Sunday4 · 28/10/2022 08:01

As a general rule, I’m not a fan of vintage sounding, ‘old people’ names.

But I do like Iris. For some reason, I feel like Iris has a bit of an edge to it, and I like names with an edge (not edge as in edgy-trendy, more that the sound has an edge. I don’t know how to explain what I mean here!)

Now I know Iris IS an old name - and it’s on all the vintage name idea lists - but when you hear the name, do you immediately think ‘old lady’?

No because I know loads under 20. I know one who is 19 and at the time I thought her name was very cool and unusual. Now it's very very popular.

EstellaRijnveld · 29/10/2022 08:29

So I did! Thank you! I do love Myrtle but Amarylis is getting quite popular in my area so left that one out.

RosesAndHellebores · 29/10/2022 08:24

@EstellaRijnveld you left out
Daphne
Tansy
Hebe
Amaryllis
Myrtle

EstellaRijnveld · 29/10/2022 07:22

If you love Iris, I don't know any girls by that name, then consider these underused floral names:

Azalea - flower
Aster
Cecelia - flower
Calla
Camilla
Cassia
Dahlia
Delphine
Erica - flowering plant related to Heather
Hazel
Heather
Ione - Greek purple flower
Iona - a Scottish Island
Jacinta - Spanish hyacinth
Kalina - Slavic word for flower
Laurel - tree
Veronica
Violet
Zinnia - flower

TwoTimTams · 29/10/2022 06:27

It’s a beautiful name, a strong name too

FredinBread · 29/10/2022 06:26

Love it!

Those saying "eyeball" should know they named that part of the eye due to the goddess too.
Eg the word iridescent etc........so the eye is after a person and why a flower that comes in multiple colours is called Iris

Robishar · 28/10/2022 18:45

I love it! It was the name of my Nans sister and was my Nans favourite flower. I wanted to call my DD Iris but DH really didn't like it. We settled on Isla instead but she had Elizabeth-Iris as her middle names.

Mittens1717 · 28/10/2022 18:39

Yes I see it as an old lady name but I usually like old lady names but not Iris