How will this name date?

[newcastlecoal]

Hi, I've read a few times that some people think Lily is faddy and will date quickly. Do you think this is true considering that it's been around for years in a way that other names that pinpoint the owner to a specific decade, for example Tracy or Sharon, have not?

Going back to Sarah, I couldn't agree more that it's timeless. There have been Sarahs in my family tree for generations and its spikes in popularity don't mean it will 'date'; it'll always be around (it's not my name, btw).

Lily is a bit more prone to cycles of popularity (Lily Cole, Lily Allen) and certainly not a classic IMHO, but if you like it, why not?

Things that really would become dated are names like Alison or Janet - there were soooo many Janets when I was at school (1970's, aargh), but when do you hear that name today? Pretty much women in their 50s. Instantly dateable.

And there are lots of classic names that aren't English speaking world classics. You could name your children John and Catherine only for them to go and live Latvia and be ultra exotic in a non-classic way. So you don't want to get too stressed out about wondering whether the name you like is a classic, a soon to be classic, aspiring to be classic, etc. etc.

You'll go grey.

Oh and I think Alison is a lovely name. They one will definitely come back in a big way in 20 years time.

That one.

ugh.

Why is it so 'wrong' for a child to be called Karen (whether in a tv series or in reality)? Karen may not be 'fashionable' but it is a perfectly normal, feminine, well known name. If they'd named her Poopy or Karoon or something, then it might feel 'wrong' but is Karen really that wrong?!

And I agree that Alison is a lovely name. I think we'll soon see a trend away from cutesy names (Lily, Milly, Maisy, Poppy) to more 'solid' sounding names.

In fact the more I see/hear a name like Karen or Alison I'm starting to like them - they do make a refreshing change!

They mean it's not really representational of true life. So it doesn't quite ring true.

Re Alison - yes, this is a very old name, it's certainly found in Chaucer. Will certainly be rediscovered.

Oh, I see. I wonder if there are ANY little Karens out there currently?

Yes - to take a couple of samples, 34 registered in 2010 and 39 in 2003. So not very many. It does jar when an author gets character names consistently wrong for their period, though.

yes, I watched White Heat recently and the main characters were called Charlie (Charlotte), Jack and Lily.

Great story but names SO wrong for young adults in the 60's.

More like Jackie (Jacqueline), John and Julie. :o

Only 15 Alison's born in 2010. Didn't realise it was that far out of fashion!

Percy

or Gillian, Linda and Keith

I love the name Alison. I have it on my list for any future daughter I have. After a much loved aunt.

I know two teenage Alisons.

I adore all the cutesy names Milly, Maisy, Molly, Lily, Daisy,Poppy etc so adorable but they are just out of control at the moment:( I had Molly on my list since I was very young but changed it literally this week-delighted with my new choice:)
I definitly think cute, girly names are becoming a thing of the past Florence type names are taking over. I think with the popularity of Dowtown Abbey strong solid names like the main characters Mary, Edith,Sybil type name will become in vogue in the coming years... I'm not sure how Lily will date but I think in 30 years time it will be a mums name on a par with Claire, Karen, Janet etc..
Do you think Oscar fits in the same catagory as the cutesy names & a possible Jason of the 2030 era?

I feel that Lily/Milly/Evie/Ellie/Archie/Alfie/Albie already sound a little dated - but only because we've been hearing these names SO often during the past 3-4 years.

I know an Allison in her early 20's. Always thought it was pretty! :)

Yes, I think Oscar will have certain 'dated' connotations, but not in such a strong way as the Lily/Millie/Evie names.

My personal opinion is that Oscar will be this generation's Simon, Mark, Andrew, David, etc. Not bad in any way at all, but probably not chosen by many people next generation, as it will simply be too familiar to them what with lots of their peers having been called it. They will be looking for something new.

That's (part of) what's so spot on about Mad Men, actally - the names are right for the era.

Roger
Joan
Peggy
Betty
Don
Pete
Trudy/Gertrude

These names are all really fuddy duddy, frumpy and dull to us (some to a greater or lesser extent; I know Betty is quite popular) because they're our parents' names, but the characters pull them off with aplomb. Hard to imagine many of these names coming back into fashion, but I bet our children will be debating the merits of Joan, and leaning into the cot to give baby Roger a kiss.

Get in now if you want to be ahead of the curve.

I kind of like Roger :)

It has a certain something.

I do actually know a two-year old Pete. It sounded weird initially, but he totally rocks it.

Thanks sod-Oscar is the boys name we have chosen not very original but simply because we can't agree on anything.I love Raphael, Milo & Jasper but hubby is vetoing all... I like Oscar but I don't adore it. We have agreed on a lovely classic girls name but even though Oscar is lovely its not a real classic but nowt I can do about it now.Still its not the worst & surely will stand the test of time better than Jayden, Alfie, Archie et al.....

YummyMummy - Oscar is very nice, although yes very popular. I don't think it is going to be very dated.

I must say - I am loving the idea of a baby Roger! Joan is a fabulous name and I would definitely use that.