Does MN make baby names popular...?

[jaffacakehips]

And discuss?!

Every second suggestion these days is for "Quentin" so time will tell.

I really really love the name Beatrice (my great gran) if we have another girl, Dh is super keen. But now it's everywhere..gutted!!

Not sure if MN makes names popular but I do think it's very helpful to gauge how popular a name is or will be - if it's loved by everyone, chances are it will become very popular .

Love both Quentin and Beatrice, by the way.

That is a very intriguing question! I think the rise of the name Arlo might be due to MN.

There is a book called Cool Names for Babies which gives the authors' opinion on every name out there. They highlight favourites. It's hard not to get drawn into this book. Mns then use this forum to test out real life opinions I think.

I have wondered this myself. That's why I'll never reveal my absolute favourite name on here. If another poster suggested the name to anyone I'd probably do my best to dissuade them from using it too!

I think that Mumsnet does make names more popular because IRL you have to be polite about people's name choices, regardless of personal opinions.

Online you give your true opinions. If a quirky name seems well-liked online, than most people probably like it in reality. Therefore you're more likely to use it. It will become known to more people, so more people will consider it as a name option. Then, as most people like it, the name will rise in popularity.

My explanation probably isn't the easiest to understand. It's difficult to explain in writing! Hope you get the gist.

Interesting question - perhaps it can make some names more popular as more people consider it (by seeing it on mumsnet), but imo the name has 'be ready' to become fashionable by itself - e.g. current granny chick trend, or move away from cutey type names to more 'solid' names etc.

I also wonder how many people ask for opinions on a name and then, if it is loved by many, avoid it as it will inevitably become very popular....

I often hear names described as "becoming popular" on here which don't actually leap into the top 50 and which, where I am in the North, are anything but. I suspect it will be a very long time before Quentin becomes "popular" up North, no matter how frequently it is endorsed on MN!