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Baby names

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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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FancyBiscuitsLevel · 06/10/2024 12:31

The American trend of using surnames as first names does seem to be slowly catching on (eg Hunter is beginning to get used more, and I’ve heard of a British Harrison and Harris as first names).

I was told once the American tradition of surnames as first names started with honouring the mothers maiden name by some communities that then just normalised those surnames as first names, but not sure if that’s true.

within my lifetime the Church of England was still very strict in some areas of only baptising with a saints name, but not heard of that since I was a child so guess that might be why we’re beginning to import more US names.

Porridgeislife · 06/10/2024 12:30

Sloane

Chelsea

Millions of butchered versions of Michaela: Mikayla, Mykayla etc

Having said that, for current babies the popular names are very similar to the U.K. - Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, Amelia and Sophia; for boys it’s Liam, Noah, Oliver, James.

Plump82 · 06/10/2024 12:29

I work with a Christy.
I think of Kevin Bridges when I hear Chad.

IveGotToGoToMeDads · 06/10/2024 12:26

cole

Bumcake · 06/10/2024 12:25

I like Wanda.

I used to think Kreg was an American name, but then I found out they’re saying Craig.

HoppityBun · 06/10/2024 12:23

StolenChanel · 06/10/2024 12:02

Tyler and Troy are quite common here (but Tyler is often accused of being a “chavvy” name). Trent and Brody sound very American to me.

Wanda is another one. I’ve never heard that name used in the UK but seen it lots of times on American TV shows in the 90s/00s! Not so much any more though.

Same with Kendal, Randall and Brock

Show quote history

Wanda is fine for fish.

Anonym00se · 06/10/2024 12:23

Yerdawasasausagemaker · 06/10/2024 12:04

Brad
Brian
Michael
Cooper
Cody
Frank

Brian, Michael and Frank have all been very popular UK names in the past.

Chersfrozenface · 06/10/2024 12:22

You could use Chad if you have connections to Northumberland or the Midlands.

Saint Chad is pretty much the patron saint of the Midlands, there are dozens of churches named after him across the region.

unlikelywitch · 06/10/2024 12:20

Chase
Trey
Tucker

Paisley
Aubrey
Avery

I’m not a fan of any of these tbh, or American style names in general but they’re what came to mind.

CalliopePlantain · 06/10/2024 12:19

Girls names hyphenated with Lynn or Leigh

RenoDakota · 06/10/2024 12:13

Surnames as first names.
Like Taylor, Morgan, Harper, Hunter, Mason, etc. Some of which I quite like.

GoodnightMr · 06/10/2024 12:08

Maybe Devin? I know a British one spelt like this.
I think Seth is very American

hideawayforever · 06/10/2024 12:06

Devon, though I'm unsure of how they spell it, but heard a lot of this name when we were there a few years ago

fastforwardplay · 06/10/2024 12:06

@ffsfindmeausername I've never heard of a Christy in the Uk either !

foreverbasil · 06/10/2024 12:05

Names that end in letter "i" for women, Kristi, Brandi,

Yerdawasasausagemaker · 06/10/2024 12:04

Brad
Brian
Michael
Cooper
Cody
Frank

StolenChanel · 06/10/2024 12:02

Forgottenmyphone · 06/10/2024 11:56

Trent, Brody, Tyler and Troy.

Tyler and Troy are quite common here (but Tyler is often accused of being a “chavvy” name). Trent and Brody sound very American to me.

Wanda is another one. I’ve never heard that name used in the UK but seen it lots of times on American TV shows in the 90s/00s! Not so much any more though.

Same with Kendal, Randall and Brock

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 12:02

I often hear the name Brady on American TV shows. Obviously not really usable in UK because of the Ian Brady connection. shame really as I also like Brady.

OP posts:
Backwoods57 · 06/10/2024 11:59

Riley for a girl,

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:58

Forgottenmyphone · 06/10/2024 11:56

Trent, Brody, Tyler and Troy.

have met all of these names in the UK except Trent.

OP posts:
Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:58

qwertyasdfgzxcv · 06/10/2024 11:56

Wesley

I went to school with a couple of Wesley's here in the UK. Also there was a Wesley on last of the summer wine!

OP posts:
Forgottenmyphone · 06/10/2024 11:56

Trent, Brody, Tyler and Troy.

qwertyasdfgzxcv · 06/10/2024 11:56

Wesley

Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:55

Wyatt is another one.

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Original poster
ffsfindmeausername · 06/10/2024 11:55

Overtheatlantic · 06/10/2024 11:53

Hunter

I know of 2 British boys called Hunter.

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