Page 2 | Names that are common in the US but not the UK

ffsfindmeausername · 2024-10-06T09:28:03+00:00

Just that really, there seems to be certain names that seem very American that you don't tend to hear in the UK such as Chad. I like the name Chad but no idea why it's not really used in the UK. Can anyone think of any other very "American" names that you don't tend to hear here in the UK or vice versa very British names rarely used in the US?

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Dontjudgeme101 · 07/10/2024 04:32

There's a character called Brick in Us show, The Middle.

beenwhereyouare · 07/10/2024 04:26

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:54

yes Christy or Christie.
and yes don't think I've ever heard an American Kirsty.

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Kirstie Alley?

CottonCandyLand · 07/10/2024 04:21

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:54

yes Christy or Christie.
and yes don't think I've ever heard an American Kirsty.

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Kirstie Alley

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 04:14

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:13

Randolph, which I think is where Randy comes from.
Brianna
Wade
I used to think caitlin was very American but has gained in popularity over here in recent years.
Marsha
Merrill
Dustin
Rudy
As for British names not often used in the US I agree with Graham never heard an American Graham. Also was Alan ever used in the US? seems extremely common in UK.

Randall is the usual origin of Randy. I don't know any under the age of 60.

Same goes for Marsha.

Never met a Merrill in 40 years in the US.

I have however come across several Alans, Allens, and Grahams. Actually, I know three sets of brothers who are Graham and Ian.

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 04:09

MillieMollyMandi · 06/10/2024 18:59

For girls names Brandi seems to be really popular

It had a brief, shining moment in the late 70s and early 80s and has tanked ever since. Currently somewhere well south of 1000th in popularity.

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 04:05

PadstowGirl · 06/10/2024 22:48

Really?
Surely Brianna has Celtic roots and Erica is the Latin name for Heather, and popular in Scotland.

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Brianna does not have 'Celtic' roots.

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 04:04

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:45

I've always thought of Liam as a very British name probably because of Liam Gallagher! but isn't it currently the number 1 boys name in the US?

Liam is a shortening of Uilliam, an Irish form of William/ Guillaume.

GreenTeaLikesMe · 07/10/2024 03:49

I think there is a lot of crossover, and I don't know any kids called "Randy."

Americans do give surnames as names a lot more often.

I know a couple of young Clares, which surprised me a bit, but I think it's associated with County Clare in Ireland (hence that spelling).

Eleanor and Lois are apparently considered rather old fashioned in the States, which surprised me too, as that would not be the association in the UK.

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 02:00

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:43

I've heard all those names in UK apart from Tad and Brent. Melissa was quite popular where I am in the 80s&90s. Vera is a shortening of Veronica.

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Vera is a full name in its own right. It means 'truth' and also 'faith'.

Veronica means 'true image' or 'true likeness' and comes from the name given to the woman who offered a cloth to the face of Jesus as he carried the cross. (Aka the veil of Veronica).

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 01:54

GivingUpFinally · 06/10/2024 19:38

True, but it's pronounced Shannen over there.

I should have also added

Chett
Jet
Joanie
Betty

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That list is just weird.

And how do you as a Brit pronounce Shannon to make it so different from "Shannen"? Surely you don't pronounce the O as in the word "on"?

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 01:52

AmeliaEarache · 06/10/2024 16:03

American names I never hear in the UK - Tammy, Ron, Tad, Nadine, Melissa, Meredith, Greg, Corey, Jeffrey*, Casey, Veronica, Lauren, Lori, Brent, Robin (for a girl)

(I know Jeffs and Geoffs here, but not Jeffreys)

Do you live in a very isolated spot with little contact with the rest of your fellow countrymen and women?

The only names I would consider unusual for a Brit there are Lori and Brent.

The Jeffs you know are probably Jeffrey on their BCs.

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 01:47

sarsaparillatree · 06/10/2024 15:04

I thought Chad was a nickname for "Charles"

Edited

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Chad is the name of an Anglo Saxon monk and bishop of the 7th century.

It can be used as a nickname for Charles but it would be unusual. It's a name associated with frat boys of the millennium - incels despise "Chads".

mathanxiety · 07/10/2024 01:41

99% of these allegedly popular names in the US are names of people over 40.

Meanwhile, you couldn't throw a brick in most middle class suburban school playgrounds without beaning a Henry, Luca, Jude, Thomas, Oliver, Mila, Evelyn, Aria, Ava, or Maya.

Also, the tradition of using family names as first names is a Scottish one. It was carried to the US with settlers and adopted by WASPish sets, while still going strong in Scotland (where there really isn't the tradition of using saint names which you find in older versions of the CoE).

DoNOTShakeItOff · 07/10/2024 01:38

Lemonadeand · 06/10/2024 12:44

McKenzie
Darby
Cindy (older generation)
Hal

And then of course a lot of Hispanic names.

I have a daughter named Mackenzie. I also have since met a woman my age with the same name. Not American and neither are we

DoNOTShakeItOff · 07/10/2024 01:36

I grew up with an American neighbour little boy a few doors up, called Blane

Linnet · 07/10/2024 01:22

Poppy1968 · 06/10/2024 19:14

I know a Nanette and a Calista in the US

I know a Calista here in the UK, granted it’s not a very common name here but it’s not unheard of.

Linnet · 07/10/2024 01:20

AmeliaEarache · 06/10/2024 16:03

American names I never hear in the UK - Tammy, Ron, Tad, Nadine, Melissa, Meredith, Greg, Corey, Jeffrey*, Casey, Veronica, Lauren, Lori, Brent, Robin (for a girl)

(I know Jeffs and Geoffs here, but not Jeffreys)

I’m in my 40’s and I went to school with a Tammy, I know 2 Nadine's, 2 Melissa’s and 2 Greg’s. One of my dd’s went to school with a Casey and my other dd went to school with 2 Lauren’s. I also work with with a Lori and I know a child called Robin. I really don’t feel these are exclusively American names.

MirandaBlu · 07/10/2024 01:11

Jemima is one that seems kind of old-fashioned-but-coming back in the UK but would largely be avoided in the USA due to "Aunt Jemima". Myra is no-go in the UK and while not super popular in the USA it is used and has retro appeal and doesn't have negative connotations.

Of the super popular names at the moment: Archie, Arthur, Elsie, Florence, Freya, George, and Isla are a lot more popular in the UK than in the USA. Aria, Gianna, Hudson, Levi, Liam, Elijah, Elizabeth, Mateo, Michael, Scarlett seem more popular in the USA. Also Spanish speakers in the USA - a large and growing demographic - push up the popularity of names that I think might seem a little out of fashion in the UK eg Camila and Diana.

2MargerinesOnTheGo · 07/10/2024 01:06

ffsfindmeausername · 07/10/2024 00:44

lots of Eric's in the UK, I know of elderly and very young Eric's

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Interesting. In the US I know a lot of middle aged Erics. I don’t know any here.

BooneyBeautiful · 07/10/2024 00:47

Forgottenmyphone · 06/10/2024 11:56

Trent, Brody, Tyler and Troy.

I am in the UK and know a Tyler and a Troy.

Original poster

ffsfindmeausername · 07/10/2024 00:44

2MargerinesOnTheGo · 07/10/2024 00:31

Eric

lots of Eric's in the UK, I know of elderly and very young Eric's

OP posts:

2MargerinesOnTheGo · 07/10/2024 00:31

Eric

RitaIncognita · 07/10/2024 00:26

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:13

Randolph, which I think is where Randy comes from.
Brianna
Wade
I used to think caitlin was very American but has gained in popularity over here in recent years.
Marsha
Merrill
Dustin
Rudy
As for British names not often used in the US I agree with Graham never heard an American Graham. Also was Alan ever used in the US? seems extremely common in UK.

Lots of Alan's in the US, but tend to be older. Its feminine form Alana is also fairly common.

unmemorableusername · 07/10/2024 00:22

Liam is an Irish shortening of William.

Original poster

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:45

I've always thought of Liam as a very British name probably because of Liam Gallagher! but isn't it currently the number 1 boys name in the US?

OP posts: