Are there any names that you don't understand why they aren't more popular?

Jacqueline. Sounds so exotic and French. There were quite a few when I was growing up in 1970s Scotland, who inevitably were called Jackie or Jacqui.

Also would like to see a resurgence of:
Michelle, Andrea, Antonia, Serena, Selena

Boys:
David, Julian, Gideon, Gabriel, Edgar, Victor

I have a toddler John :)

Darrell
Antonia
Hedda
Leonie
Enid
Dulcie
Nina
Sadie

Leonard
Keaton
Saul
Silas

Andrew - classic but haven’t met a single one younger than 10

Yvonne- personal favourite and again g not a single one in a sight

Ooh I love Elspeth. I knew one in uni whose nickname was Eppy. So cute!

Rosemary. Lots of Rosie/Rosa/Rosalie but I’ve not come across a Rosemary.

Elaine. El- names seem popular- Ellie, Ella, Eleanor (I have an Elspeth myself) but again, no Elaines. My 19 yo dd knows a few Laneys but I think that’s a name in its own right.

This is my granny's name and she has Myra for a nn which I think is beautiful

I have a Marina, Cassius and a Maria :)

Jacob/James supposedly means Supplanter and Emily/Emilia possibly Rival - but obviously all "meanings" are hotly debated - just look at Mary/Maria/Miriam, I've read persuasive arguments for Bitter, Drop of the Sea, Wished for Child, Beloved and others!

Claudia seems obvious due to Claudus meaning lame but I've read etymologists suggest that derision from Clausus (meaning enclosed or protected) is just as likely since Claudia/ Claudius was in popular use long before the famous Emperor with the limp. The Claudii gens were so important in Rome that the "protected/enclosed" meaning would make more sense, but after the Emperor coincidence lame has become the more commonly listed meaning over the years.

I like Ambrose too and I'm also quite fond of Clarence (if you think it sounds stuffy or poncey, think of Clarence Clemons!) Like Geoffrey and Edmund, and Richard has always been one of my favourites. Barnaby, Tobias (only ever seems to be chosen by parents intending to use Toby for short, but the long form is interesting in itself), Orlando.

For girls: Constance, Florence (hmm I seem to like that sort of ending!), Adelaide, Beatrice, Marielle, Rosalie (gets discussed on here a bit, but I've never met a real one), Aurelia, Sasha, Saskia, Delphine, Georgette.

I don't think it can just be the supposed meaning - that hasn't hurt James/Jacob, Emily etc but most of the other ending -ia names seem more popular in comparison

Some 'meanings' are much more direct than others. The name Claudia is literally derived from the Latin adjective Claudus, meaning lame/crippled.

I'm not aware of any negative connotations of the etymology of James, Jacob or Emily.

Let’s not forget Nigel.

I can't bear the 'claw' sound in it.

I think Amelia also means 'work' or 'industrious', though, so it may be easier to ignore the 'limbless' meaning.

Second Claudia suggestion- so elegant, yet so underused. I don't think it can just be the supposed meaning - that hasn't hurt James/Jacob, Emily etc but most of the other ending -ia names seem more popular in comparison (even Cecilia/Cecelia meaning blind).

Also Juliet - Julie had a burst of extreme popularity in the 60's/70's, Julia has mostly hovered perennially just in or just outside the top 100, yet equally lovely Juliet is relatively uncommon for reasons I can't guess at.

For boys - classy, literary sounding Nathaniel. Nathan's popular as is Daniel, Michael, Gabriel, Samuel etc so why is Nathaniel relatively underused?

Yvette

Surprised as Evie is so popular. Yvette could so easily be shortened to Evie and could be an alternative to Evelyn.

Ida

Ivy, Isla, Ava and Ada are fairly popular but not Ida.

Anthea

Thea is popular but not Anthea. Anthea gives the options of Thea, Ann or Annie as shortenings.

Richard was the first name that came to mind. Definitely due a revival.

Showing my age here, but I find Marina very unattractive as it reminds me of the character in Last of the Summer Wine.

I have a 17 year old Quentin :) Throughout his time at school he's only come across one other, so no it's not too popular.

I also really like Marina

Also Josiah

Quentin

Julia
Susanna(h)
Louisa
Emmeline
Helena
Amalia
Marina
Annalise/Annaliese/Annelise
Christabel
Clarabel
Calla
Rosa
Esther
Frida
Gloria
Genevieve
Isadora/Isidora
Dora
Jemima
Miriam
Rowena/Rowenna

Nathaniel
Robin
Laurence
Ezekiel/Zeke
Solomon/Sol
Evan
Isaiah
Thaddeus
Josiah
Orion
Jonas
Patrick

Cassia seems like it fits with Olivia, Sophia, Amelia, Aria, all names in the top 10 but I never see it used

Yes, Cassia’s another one - lovely sound, similar to other popular names and it’s regularly suggested on here, but it rarely seems to actually be picked. Only 29 born last year.

Aww, Anne of Green Gables? That's the only Marilla I know. My son is a Gilbert ;)