Does anyone else have a name that, when given, was way ahead of its time?

I had cousins born in the early 1960s called Barbara and Ken. 😮 What were my aunt and uncle thinking?

My name is Margaret, born in 1965. Already 20 years out of fashion. All my friends were Julie, Suzanne, Karen or Amanda etc. Everyone had an Auntie Margaret or Patricia or Maureen. Then Maggie Thatcher happened. 😮 It was hell.

So the opposite of you, a dated name but still with no chance of any personalised merch.

Yes my name was unusual when born in 1970's. I used to feel a bit embarrassed saying it for some reason in 1980's. It's not super common now and never met another one but people don't seem so aghast or question how to spell it now.
There is one semi-famous person with the name although unsure if it's her true name.

I've given my 2 DD's an old fashioned common name

Not me but I know a Freya who's in her early sixties! Always struck me as a much younger name. There was another Freya a few years ahead of me in school and an Ava, they'd both be in their thirties now.
The Barbara mentions made me realise I know three Barbaras in their twenties- think they're 21, 28 and 29- in Dublin though so maybe different trends here!

Really? I was born in the 70s and knew quite a lot of Emilys growing up. Perhaps it’s regional.

I was born in the 70s and while there were no Emilys at my school there were quite a few at university and I know about six Emilys who are around my age, so I have never thought it unusual for my generation. It’s a beautiful name.

My late DGM was born about 1914 and was called Lily May Surname.

She was often told that she had a pretty name when she was elderly, and as Lily May has been a popular combination in recent years it seems her parents were ahead of their time perhaps. Her sisters also had names that are still in use today.

I named my daughter Xanthe in 2001 - it's definitely more popular now!

I used to work with a Noah (would now be mid-40s) and that was quite unusual amongst the sea of Marks, Matthews, Pauls and Andys. I imagine this would be reversed in a lot of nursery/primary school classes nowadays.

My 55 year old cousin is called Isla, never knew anybody else with this name until recently.

I know a Brenda in her mid 30s, I'm a Penelope and I'm 56

I'm a Samantha. I don't think it's ever been popular (gratefully!) But go by Sam/Sammy.
Late 80s baby (Samantha Fox was on the scene then, I think?)
I get a little excited when I meet another one. One girl in my year at school and another one at a hobby group I joined as an adult are the only others I've met... I'm assuming it's quite rare these days?

Not sure if it will become a trendy name but like pp, I know of a baby Colin and toddler Norma so who knows!

Me! I’m nearly 40 and I’m Phoebe- I was the only one at school and I never met another one my age. My parents considered themselves brave ha. Now there’s hundreds of little girls called Phoebe, I hear it everywhere we go it’s so strange!

Young susans are often Chinese because it sounds like one of their popular names. Same with Henry..

Realise I was "never" ahead of the game... unless Veronica is going to make a come back after many years (please no on behalf of any small children out there) and Gay is a lovely name if you're born between 1900 and 1910

I know one of these too, she was born 73 I reckon

Ds1 (born late 2000's) had a girl in his class called Susan.

Ds4 (born early 2010's) knows 4 Ediths which I think is probably because of downtown Abbey

My name was rare when I was born (early 80's) then became popular in about 1995 I think and has been popular ever since.

Yep, I just checked, my name entered the top 100 (in 95th place) in 1996. Has risen steadily and now top 3. I was born late 80s so my mum was clearly way ahead of her time. Regularly hear my name shouted in the park and turn round and see a 3 year old also responding 😂

Born 70s: Veronica Rose Gay... I mean what do you do with names like those (apart from deed poll at 16)

I know a Kylie who was born in the early 1970s (UK).

Up until her mid-teens she had a really cool, unique, beautiful name.

And then Neighbours happened...

Me too (have also name changed!)
As an Emily in 1970s I stood out from all my friends who were Sara/Sarah/ Nicola /Joanne
I was really jealous that they could get personalised pencils / stationery etc in shops and I could never find an Emily!

@SoOutingWhoCares

My grandmother (mid 80’s now) was astonished when names like Lily started become popular, they were the “old lady names” when she was a child.

I knew a woman named Grace, she must be in her early 70’s now.

My orthodontist in the 00’s was called Isla, she was probably in her 30’s then so in her 50’s now.

Both names seemed unusual at the time.

I went to school with a girl called Cassandra but I suspect that's not what you mean ...

I once knew a Michelle, she would have been in her eighties now.
I was actually given a name from the the 1930's but I was born in the seventies.
It has never been popular and I absolutely hate it. I have never met another one of a similar age to me and could never buy anything personalised.
I really wish I had changed it when I was younger.

I was in school with a ted, Olivia and Alfie, which was really unusual back then but definitely not now. Also had a Spike and a Blue (male), never met another of either