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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names that are common in the US but not the UK

208 replies

ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 10:28

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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Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 23:43

leia24 · 06/10/2024 23:26

So interesting as I'm 33 and in my friendship group there is a Casey and a Melissa, I know 3x Nadines, and went to school with several Laurens. I also work with a Lori.

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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.

OP posts:
leia24 · 06/10/2024 23:26

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)

So interesting as I'm 33 and in my friendship group there is a Casey and a Melissa, I know 3x Nadines, and went to school with several Laurens. I also work with a Lori.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/10/2024 23:16

Graham is considered a “classic” name in the US (at least according to various American baby name books!) It’s never been hugely popular but has had steady use - often shortened to “ Gray”.

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
ImADeadGirlWalking · 06/10/2024 23:11

NewtonsCradle · 06/10/2024 14:18

Paige

I remember my son (aged about 4 at the time, so 15/16 years ago) playing with a girl in the local playground. I was BF his little brother sat on a bench and he excitedly ran up to me and said he was playing with 'Book'! I asked him if he meant Brooke and he ran off to ask her name again and it was actually Paige! 🤣

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 22:56

ItsJustASimpleLine · 06/10/2024 17:11

Hank

isn't Hank a shortening of Henry in the US?

OP posts:
aliasname · 06/10/2024 22:52

I’ve heard Myra a few times in America. Obviously would never get used in the UK.

PadstowGirl · 06/10/2024 22:48

Waggytail · 06/10/2024 13:27

Briana and Erica. I've never met anyone from the UK with these names but they seem popular in the States.

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

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/10/2024 22:47

Jared? I have only ever heard of Jared Harris in the UK but it’s fairly popular in the States.

American names not used much in the UK are more difficult as they tend to trickle down eventually as we are so exposed to their pop culture.

The other way around is much easier though - I think there’s quite a few stereotypically “British” names that aren’t well used over there- St John, Nigel, Giles, Araminta, Cressida, Tamsin, maybe Philippa… (although I suppose you could argue they aren’t used much here too despite the stereotype - at least anymore!)

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 22:40

sarsaparillatree · 06/10/2024 15:04

I thought Chad was a nickname for "Charles"

Edited
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I think chuck is a nickname for charles in the US.

OP posts:
user1471508666 · 06/10/2024 22:24

Trevor on young boys. Doubt you’d catch many under 50 with that name in the U.K.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 06/10/2024 22:14

I know quite a few Bradley’s in the UK, but none are shortened to Brad.

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 22:07

Yerdawasasausagemaker · 06/10/2024 12:04

Brad
Brian
Michael
Cooper
Cody
Frank

All these names are extremely common in the UK, cooper maybe not so much but the others are x

OP posts:
Liv999 · 06/10/2024 21:38

Easton and Weston for boys

Liv999 · 06/10/2024 21:37

Waggytail · 06/10/2024 19:11

Not likely to get popular here anytime soon...

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I think it's gone into the uk top 100 baby names..

sel2223 · 06/10/2024 21:23

Cody
Clay (Clayton)
Jesse
Chase
Brad
Brock
Casey
Zach
Garrett
Trey
Jared
Kolt

Shannon
Jayton
Whitney
Misty
Tammy
Lacey
Crystal/Christi
Tiffany
Brandi

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 06/10/2024 20:39

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)

Lauren was very popular in the uk in the 80s/90s. There were multiple in my year at school

napody · 06/10/2024 20:38

Gretchen!
Don't think it'll ever have its moment over here.

sadeightiesthrowback · 06/10/2024 20:29

Girl's names:
Serenity, Everly, Kaylee, Paisley, Winona, Wyona, Scout, Shenandoah-( unisex name) very pretty, I think.
Brielle, Genesis, Sage, all girl's names.

bluecomputerscreen · 06/10/2024 19:56

coldcallerbaiter · 06/10/2024 12:36

Brandi, Shana

those are more oz than us?

Birthdaywoops · 06/10/2024 19:51

Randy

Parker

Wyatt

Hudson

Skylar

Peyton

Mckenzie

Britney

Paisley

Presley

Harlow

GivingUpFinally · 06/10/2024 19:38

30percent · 06/10/2024 19:33

I know tons of British Shannon's!! That name belongs to us 😂😂

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True, but it's pronounced Shannen over there.

I should have also added

Chett
Jet
Joanie
Betty

30percent · 06/10/2024 19:33

GivingUpFinally · 06/10/2024 19:21

Some of my favourites are

Brianna
Peyton
Blake
Darlene
Marlene
Tiffany
Skylar
Shyra
Shannon
Brent
Kyle
Marsha
Brady
Tammy
Jolene
Austen
Mia
Hudson
Grayson
Everett
Myles
Kai
Tucker
Shania

I know tons of British Shannon's!! That name belongs to us 😂😂

RoseMarigoldViolet · 06/10/2024 19:24

Noa for a girl.

GivingUpFinally · 06/10/2024 19:21

Some of my favourites are

Brianna
Peyton
Blake
Darlene
Marlene
Tiffany
Skylar
Shyra
Shannon
Brent
Kyle
Marsha
Brady
Tammy
Jolene
Austen
Mia
Hudson
Grayson
Everett
Myles
Kai
Tucker
Shania