Julia, Imogen, Thomas (Tom) in 1970 the same as what now?

[Cortina]

The Julias, Thomas (Tom), maybe even Antonias and Imogens circa 1970 were comparatively few and far between. The children with these names seemed to grow into them and the names just got better with age. You can probably think of better examples.

There were other much more popular names, Steven, Jackie, Claire, Alison, Lorraine, Julie, Sharon, Karen, Kevin etc. Sarah, although a classic, was also going through a popularity surge back then, ditto Emma. Perhaps some haven worn as well?

So who can pick a 'Julia', 'Thomas', 'Imogen' etc of 2010? It has to be the sort of name where for 10 years or so they will likely be the only child of that name in the class and the next generation will pick up on the name and use more broadly.

A name we've all heard of but not quite in vogue as yet. The sort of name that is a grower.

I'll have a try:

Daphne
Judith
Gloria
Natalie
Jaqueline
Caroline
Gillian (?)

I see what you did there, Cortina! This'll be good!

I was at Uni with 2 Barbaras - was really odd to meet 1, let alone 2 19 year olds with that name.

The same goes for:

Pamela
Patricia
Wendy
Linda
Shirley
Angela

Don't know about boys - maybe:

Graham
Geoffery
Tony/Anthony
Nigel

Celia may be another, also Mark and Marcus.

Forgot to add Ben to this list.

I'm surprised at Ben tbh. It seems ever popular here.

Oh sorry I meant that this was a 1970s rarity. Certainly not as widely used as Steven/Stephen etc.

Oh - I see. Am being dense.

How about Esther or Ruth? They both have the Martha-esque biblical thang but don't seem as popular as Martha.

And I suppose you could add Rachel, too. Hugely popular when I was growing up though - but I can't remember the last time I met a baby Rachel.

I read somewhere that names go in cycles but can't remember how many years? The Victorian palour-maids are having their time in the sun at the moment and the young men off to fight the war to end all wars.

Also read that the 50s names are due a revival but I can't see Linda catching on again just yet (mind you wasn't that a 70s name now I think of it).

As for Shirley, think you may be on to something but Shirley will only be cool again when most of the current crop are no longer with us (sorry to sound blunt and I have a good friend, Shirley)! :) Ditto Wendy so I predict a rise maybe in 30 years, perhaps a little less. Our children's choices?

Something like the above has happened with Violet. My mother shudders at Violet, her generation often had a geriatric unlovely 'Aunty Vi' and the name has become tarnished by association. For us, the next generation down, our mother's well, they are not widely called Violet so we think it charming etc.

Anthony I like but Tony Blair has killed that one probably for a good while. Graham? Needs a bit longer, our generation have Dads called Graham.

Nigel and Geoffrey, hmm, perhaps. Will rise before Graham I feel. :)

A baby Rachel now, yes that is probably similar to Julia circa 1970?

I offered Graham as my DH actually suggested it for this DC. And for last DC (thankfully a DS) he suggested 'Yvonne'. With no hint of irony.

I'm not really sure about the list I offered tbh - I'm listing most of my family there - aunts, great aunts, and grown up cousins - most of them in their 50s - approaching 60. I think you're right - they have to no longer be with us. I think it's too soon, but I guess I'll be wincing when DCs tell me of the choices for their kids.

I read that the cycle is something around the 100 year mark.

Will keep thinking though...

I think we will be wincing like my Mum about Violet!

The Chardonnay-Armani names of today will be the choice of the posh in 100 years :) When no one is alive to remember any negative associations :). Lorraine will probably be up there too...:)

I am not overly fond of Hailey or Shelley but think they have a chance of being favoured in the not too distant future.

Staid, maiden auntish names that don't end in 'a' may come back into favour: Mavis, Irene (quite like, acutally).

Girls names that end in 'a' will in about 10 years time drive everyone half mad I think! And that's from someone that loves many of them.

The cycle is actually every 90 years, which is the same as 3 average generations.

I agree, a name isn't cool again until almost all of the last crop are dead. Harsh? peut-etre.

And which names are they?

Also it's interesting that Elsie and Mabel are fairly cool but we don't like the Gladys and the Veras so much.

Does anyone know any baby Geralds? I think that might rise up soon. Not quite yet though.

Maybe the Gladys and Veras are not as old though. I think that might be the case as I know a Vera and my mum's cousin is a Gladys (lucky her). So. Basically, old but not dead yet!

I think that in about another 15 years everybody will be sick of girly names, all the 'ia's . Sophia, Amelia, Isabella, Maia, Ella, anything that sounds feminine and attractive (which is basically what's popular now will sound unappealing and maybe harsher (imo) names such as Gladys and Morag will start to sound more interesting.

Just a theory though.

Quite possible the seeds are there now. I think that there will be a transitory stage of Helen, Rachel, Celia (less usual names that end in 'a') etc, first.

Are Veras and Gladys less old than Maeves and Mabels etc, possibly? How old is Vera Duckworth and her generation :)?

I agree all the cutsie names will have their day very soon. the "ia"'s as you put it and the flower names.

I'm a 1970's Shirley but it was unusual then, most Shirley's are 70 or 80 year old Americans.

I think there will also be a bit of a backlash against trying to think of a unique name.

When though Tuschinski?

Think it is happening with the boys, quite a few called 'John' of the last couple of years.

Really? Thinking about Thomas born around 1967-69 really. Only one in our school in those years. Maybe just us. Thomas was nothing like as popular then as it was in the early 80s plus I'd have thought?

Lynne. I always wanted to be one along with Debbie.

Grant or Michael

Hilary, staid and sensible and likely in the first eleven is a good one. An Enid Blyton head girl :)

What other names come under the 'safe, sane and sensible' banner?

Jane