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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

'normal' names that just don't appear on the baby name lists for some reason?

191 replies

Whippetmama · 26/08/2023 13:56

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect name, any help would be appreciated! I've noticed during my online search that there are gaps in the obvious names lists and I'm sure this little girl's name is a really obvious name that I just haven't seen on a list, could you guys suggest some obvious names that you don't often see on the "top 100" lists? For example I've been through about 20,000 names and Danielle, Felicity, Jill etc didn't show up on any of them. I'm not a fan of these names but it feels like I'm just missing an obvious one because I have immense baby brain and all names have flown away! Thanks! X

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
lavenderjump · 26/08/2023 16:05

Anoushka- my friend suggested this to me and I never saw it on any baby name lists or top 1000
Lorna
Saskia

MyShmoo · 26/08/2023 16:01

Also currently loving
Marianne, Mara or Meredith (could use nickname Edie)

MyShmoo · 26/08/2023 15:59

Tamar
Tamsin
Faye
Katherine
Naomi
Juliet / Julia
Rachel
Nicole / Nicola
Anna/ Anne

Riverlee · 26/08/2023 15:57

@Whippetmama wonder what, or who, made Tracy jump in the charts?

Riverlee · 26/08/2023 15:56

Op- let us know if there’s any that you like, whether it’s one or many.

PurBal · 26/08/2023 15:51

Marion (other spellings are available) deserves a comeback. Mary, Carol, Jane.

Whippetmama · 26/08/2023 15:50

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 14:33

Search for top girls' names of the 1920s, 30s ...90s.
Mid-century babies' names (retrowow.co.uk)

e.g.
Top UK babies' names from the 1960sRank Girls' names Boys' names
1 Susan (1) David (1)
2 Julie (27) Paul (7)
3 Karen (37) Andrew (12)
4 Jacqueline(13) Mark (32)
5 Deborah (59) John (2)
6 Tracey (-) Michael (4)
7 Jane (12) Stephen (3)
8 Helen (22) Ian (13)
9 Diane (33) Robert (6)
10 Sharon (63) Richard (10)

How many of those would appear in a 'baby name suggestions' list today.

Thank you so much for this advice! I've earmarked to peruse with pleasure after work! X

OP posts:
Whippetmama · 26/08/2023 15:48

HippeePrincess · 26/08/2023 14:57

Look up the UK’s top 50/100 names for the past 100 years, I downloaded a spreadsheet of them and then blacked out or highlighted any, we mainly liked the pre 1940’s names and narrowed it down to three from this list.

Oh my goodness, this is incredible advice, I've just found a huge spreadsheet thanks to you! I have gratefully downloaded to look at with glee after work, thank you so much! X

OP posts:
HippeePrincess · 26/08/2023 14:57

Whippetmama · 26/08/2023 14:04

I think this is the problem, I'm showing my age by being like hey where are all the names I grew up with so I've tried googling old fashioned, vintage, common etc but none have produced the desired result x

Look up the UK’s top 50/100 names for the past 100 years, I downloaded a spreadsheet of them and then blacked out or highlighted any, we mainly liked the pre 1940’s names and narrowed it down to three from this list.

Maplestars · 26/08/2023 14:53

It sounds like you’re looking for a name of a woman in her 40s-50s, Rather than the current trend of older generation names. Try baby name lists from the 60s-90s maybe?

Alison
Laura
Rebecca
Chantelle
Nicole
Nicola
Tanya
Cindy
Dawn
Amber
Erin
Amanda
Melissa
Katy
Courtney
Stacey
Wendy

Avril
Natasha

Tiffany
Michelle
Gemma
Megan
Helen
Hailey
Ashleigh
Jennifer
Kerryanne

PresentPrincess1 · 26/08/2023 14:53

Carmel
Fenella
Yvonne
Yvette

RitzyMcFitzy · 26/08/2023 14:46

Fiona
Paula
Gemma
Lynette

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/08/2023 14:46

Natalie
Karen
Sarah
Zoe
Lisa

Graham
Darren
Michael
Kevin
Paul

DisforDarkChocolate · 26/08/2023 14:42

Jane is lovely.
Mary is underused.
Suzanne?

minisoksmakehardwork · 26/08/2023 14:37

Jennifer doesn't come up too often.

Deborah
Samantha

Whatsthepoint1234 · 26/08/2023 14:37

Boys:
Noam
Michael
Nathan
David
Gideon
Simon
Morris
Sascha
Girls:
Irina
Mara
Tamara
Edna
Riva

honeylulu · 26/08/2023 14:35

Trying to think of some names from my generation that were popular but are now uncommon among babies/kids.

Nicola
Jennifer
Melanie
Christine/Christina
Zoe
Marie/Maria

SuperCallieFragilistic · 26/08/2023 14:34

Vanessa
Valerie
Lauren
Anna
Stacey
Kim
Jacqueline

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 14:33

Search for top girls' names of the 1920s, 30s ...90s.
Mid-century babies' names (retrowow.co.uk)

e.g.
Top UK babies' names from the 1960sRank Girls' names Boys' names
1 Susan (1) David (1)
2 Julie (27) Paul (7)
3 Karen (37) Andrew (12)
4 Jacqueline(13) Mark (32)
5 Deborah (59) John (2)
6 Tracey (-) Michael (4)
7 Jane (12) Stephen (3)
8 Helen (22) Ian (13)
9 Diane (33) Robert (6)
10 Sharon (63) Richard (10)

How many of those would appear in a 'baby name suggestions' list today.

PresentPrincess1 · 26/08/2023 14:32

Joan
Susanna
Tamsin
Shirley
Shelley

Giantwindows · 26/08/2023 14:29

Caroline
Hannah
Jennifer

PresentPrincess1 · 26/08/2023 14:27

Colette
Simone
Lorna
Ramona
Tess
Fiona

Riverlee · 26/08/2023 14:23

Alexandra
Victoria
Josephine
Marjorie
Jennifer
Suzannah
Henrietta
Polly
Tara
Georgia
Elouise
Hannah
Christina
Millie

PuttingDownRoots · 26/08/2023 14:23

Another one with a Louisa! Weirdly one of her schools had several teachers with the name.

Friggingfrog · 26/08/2023 14:22

Amy
Lauren
Sasha
Cassie
chloe
Samantha
Alexandra
Holly
Kristen
Christina
Alicia
Alannah
Alison
Leonie
Nicole
Nadia
Joanna
Rachel
June