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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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Snugglemonkey · 28/10/2022 10:33

I think goo goo dolls, but that is no bad thing! It is a beautiful name. I would go for it.

Nap1983 · 28/10/2022 10:08

I think it’s lovely. Not common nor wildly unusual

mast0650 · 28/10/2022 10:07

I know a teenage Iris. I like it.

IStandWithMaya · 28/10/2022 10:06

I like it

Aethelthryth · 28/10/2022 10:05

It's lovely: rainbows and Iris Murdoch

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 28/10/2022 09:59

I think it's very pretty and not at all old lady. A baby Iris would be precious but it's also a name that will "grow" with her.

As an alternative, can I also offer Irena, after the amazing war heroine Irena Sendler? I wish I'd heard of her before I named DD, or she'd be Irena.

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 28/10/2022 09:45

It's become very popular so I'm actually fed up of hearing it now. It's part of the eye too which is not especially endearing.

Takingabreakagain · 28/10/2022 09:44

DD has an 18yo friend called Iris so it makes me think of her - no old ladies here. It's a lovely name which everyone knows but not over popular

Bookishish · 28/10/2022 09:42

DD is 14 and has two friends called Iris. It’s definitely back.

BananaCocktails · 28/10/2022 09:41

It’s not an old name , it’s a name and it’s beautiful

morninginging · 28/10/2022 09:41

Benjaminsniddlegrass · 28/10/2022 08:12

I'm biased as it's my DDs middle name, I would have quite liked it for her first name. I think it's strong and beautiful name. My fabulous granny was called Iris which probably links back to the old lady name element but I think it's having a come back. And as pp said Goddess of rainbows what's not to love, beautiful elegant flower too.

This. My daughters middle name too.

FayCarew · 28/10/2022 09:37

I'd think of a young person

Kazoola · 28/10/2022 09:31

I really like it. It's definitely growing more popular. Bit like the new Violet

Malfi · 28/10/2022 09:22

I like it, but it hasn’t been an old lady name for years. The Irises I personally know are in their teens. I’m sure there are lots of younger ones.

FainaSnowChild · 28/10/2022 09:18

Iris is just too close to Irish to me.
There's nowt wrong with being Irish, it's just not a name I want to give my little girl.
It's also a little bit problematic as it can kind of blend into the surname esp of names that begin with H, and that sort of makes a tongue twister which is where the Irish word pops up as easier to say.
Consider for example 'Iris Harrison', you end up saying Irish Harrison by mistake.

It's a shame as in many ways it's a lovely name, and like another pp was my Granny's name.

Spidey66 · 28/10/2022 09:14

I think it's beautiful!

Brieeeeeeeee · 28/10/2022 09:13

I know a couple of young Irises - a 2 year old and a 5 year old. I think it’s gorgeous and have always thought of it as a timeless plant/flower name like Violet, Daisy, Holly, Laurel.

LadyKenya · 28/10/2022 09:10

I think that it sounds "old lady" too.

MoggyMittens23 · 28/10/2022 09:06

I just always think of the part of the eye, I can't help it.

RosesAndHellebores · 28/10/2022 08:31

I've heard it pronounced on the Continent with a different emphasis on the I, for example Iris as in imagine. I think it sound nicer that way than Eyeris.

Names are about individual taste.

heldinadream · 28/10/2022 08:23

Monkeyrules · 28/10/2022 08:21

Sorry it sounds old lady like to me and not at all edgy. Also it rhymes with virus.

Only if you pronounce virus - vir-is. Which no-one does.

Monkeyrules · 28/10/2022 08:21

Sorry it sounds old lady like to me and not at all edgy. Also it rhymes with virus.

SallyWD · 28/10/2022 08:17

Beautiful - I know an 8 year old Iris. I don't see it as an old lady name.

toastofthetown · 28/10/2022 08:16

I think of the coloured part of the eye. If I saw Iris written down, I’d assume it was the name of a child rather than old person, but that’s probably because I know a few young Irises but no old ones. Personally I think Iris has as much edge as a ping pong ball. If you are just wanting a name you think is edgy then that’s fine, but if you are looking for a name which the general population also think is edgy then I’m not sure Iris is the bar name for that.

It’s growing in popularity at the moment, currently at #70 and still rising, so many people will know a young Iris which will eventually replace the old person stereotype of the time.

LargeglassofRosePlease · 28/10/2022 08:13

I love it.

I also happen to know an Iris . Beautiful little girl