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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Have been told these names are 'downmarket'. Your help please.

80 replies

monkeyandguitar · 12/05/2012 21:13

I like the following names for our DD:
Ellie
Ella
Millie
Molly

However, more than one person has either made comment or pulled a face about them being too common - to mean both overused and downmarket. What are your thoughts? I'd really like some objective and subjective opinions - are these names really awful?!

I don't want to give poor DD a name that people see as 'downmarket' - I just want a nice name that isn't overly complicated, but at the same time isn't overly popular. Any other suggestions are very welcome.

OP posts:

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BustersOfDoom · 13/05/2012 00:56

My great aunt was called Ella. She was born in 1918. It's neither new, invented common or downmarket.

My GM was known as Nell or Nelly and her name was Helen. I know a Milly who's full name is Emily, a Molly who's full name is Amelia and a Wendy whose full name is Gwendoline. This naming mallarkey is a minefield!

dalailama · 13/05/2012 01:06

Chose what you want, you will know what name suits her.

lovebunny · 13/05/2012 01:16

you'll be fine with those names, they are not 'downmarket' unless your friends' children are called india and tamara.
lilyella would be downmarket...don't make up any names or choose anything really silly, or name your child after a drink or the place she was conceived - all those things are strictly downmarket.

and my child might have had to be called 'mg bgt'.

SodoffBaldrick · 13/05/2012 02:07

These names are very, very, very popular; ergo you'll get all the people who've named their own children these names coming onto a thread like this and getting very defensive at being called 'downmarket'.

They're not downmarket. They're nice, safe, middle class names which are going through - and passing out the other end - of a huge wave of popularity.

They will date. They will date even more than other popular names such as Chloe and Olivia because they're all so much of an ilk, so similar and part of a homogenous mass of names which all start to sound the same. Millie, Molly, Lily, Evie, etc, etc. The next generation will avoid these names like anything.

lunamoon · 13/05/2012 12:00

I think all generations avoid names though Sodoff.
I would shudder at the thought of Susan or Sarah tbh, yet some people name their child those names. Each to their own I say.
I think from your list that Molly is the least common/popular but that is where I live, it will be different for other areas.

tammytoby · 13/05/2012 13:52

These cutesy names have become VERY trendy over the past few years, for both girls (Milly, Tilly, Evie, Poppy, Molly, Lily etc) and boys (Alfie, Charlie, Archie, Albie etc) that many people are getting a little tired of hearing them thb. They may not be 'downmarket' but they are certainly very common and will inevitably date more than less fashionable names.

So, no they are not 'awful' but I can understand why some people wouldn't consider them for their children, especially considering how many lovely names are out there (have a look outside the top 100 names!).

sugarspiceandallthingsnice324 · 13/05/2012 14:15

Your name chooses are lovely and definitely not downmarket i would also say they are popular rather than common, which is a good thing, mean your daughters name will be liked by many.

My daughters name is Millie so that is my favourite from your list, we live in north west london i have yet to meet another one.

Psammead · 13/05/2012 14:35

I love Ella.

I like Mariella with the nn Ella.

qumquat · 13/05/2012 14:39

All names date, and popular ones more so than others. This isn't a reason not to use a name, I'm called a classic 70s name and I'd feel ridiculous if I were a 30something called Ellie, but in 20 years time it will be a typical 30something name.
I teach secondary and every other (white) child is called Ellie, but I haven't come across the others. This could be that they're a bit newer and will appear in the next couple of years, or perhaps that Ellie is the most 'downmarket' as the others sound too posh for my students. Not that I would let this influence you. Choose a name you love. I was one of 5 girls with my name in my Yr at school and I still loved (and love) my name.

abbypumpkin · 13/05/2012 15:06

I don't think they're downmarket. I think you should use a name you love and n worry about what anyone else thinks - that's why we don't tell people our choices beforehand - too many people wanting to Give their opinion when it hasn't been asked for.

PercyFilth · 13/05/2012 15:50

No - it's not true that all names date. There are hundreds of names that do not date, simply because they have never been especially fashionable.

CarriMarie · 13/05/2012 18:46

I think I'd go for Eleanor nn Ellie, Gabriella nn Ella, or what about Matilda nn Tilly, gives her more options when she's older.

monkeymoma · 13/05/2012 18:52

common as in overused, yes, all of them, including the longer versions of the original list that have been suggested. not necessarily common as in downmarket.

ConsiderYourself · 13/05/2012 18:55

I love Mary. Not at all popular, but beautiful, due a revival I think.

Nell's lovely too.

The ones you've suggested yourself, Op, are very popular round here, but not downmarket no. Cassie - haven't heard any of these either, but I'm not overfond.

PestoPenguin · 13/05/2012 18:55

They're all lovely. They are popular because people like them. Choose a name you like

ElsieBeard · 13/05/2012 19:01

i think if you dont want a name that will date you either go for something classic like, amelia, charlotte,eleanor, etc or go for something totally unique. i would put an example but then it wouldnt be unique. (plus i cant think of one!)

as others have said they can be shortened if you want, and are therefore flexible.

but my advice is really to pick a name you like, stop telling people and eveyone can s*d off!

PercyFilth · 13/05/2012 20:14

Amelia will certainly date. It's fashionable at the moment but its popularity goes in cycles.

SodoffBaldrick · 13/05/2012 20:34

^"I think all generations avoid names though Sodoff."*

Yes, exactly, and these are the names the next generation will avoid. We tend to avoid names like Susan and Sarah and Joanne and Claire, because everyone else our age has them. They sound dated to us. Not bad; just dated.

Because there are loads of Millies and Ellies and Mollys around now - these are the names this generation will avoid, because they will sound dated to them through sheer over-use and popularity.

It's not a bad thing. Every generation has its popular names which fade from favour when people move onto something new. It's hard to imagine these names sounding dated now but this generation will be no more immune to the curse of dating than previous ones. Anything that is popular becomes associated with an era and inevitably dates, whether it's names, clothes, hairstyles, home decor, music, electronic design, etc, etc, etc...

Oh, and as I've said on previous threads, there are loads of names which won't sound dated if you avoid all the popular, faddy, top 100 names. Loads.

Fleecy · 13/05/2012 20:51

I am a 30-something Ellie - and I don't find it at all ridiculous qumquat

But I am really Elinor so have the choice of both. Don't think Elinor is common in any sense of the word but might be biased!

Ignore others and choose your favourite, popular or not.

wasabipeanut · 13/05/2012 21:04

I think down market is a bit harsh but I've never been keen on cutesy names because I think they sound a bit odd on grown ups. They fail my "Can I imagine this person in a suit?" test.

I'm sure when all the Millies and Albies of the current generation are running City banks I'll eat my words :)

SodoffBaldrick · 13/05/2012 21:13

I was thinking the same thing, Fleecy I am a 30-something Isobel - a name very popular with babies and toddlers right now - and it doesn't feel weird in the slightest!

Of course, it is weird imagining yourself with another name, but that's it.

And actually, Elinor/Eleanor is a classic example of one of the loads of names that doesn't really date. You'd never really be absolutely sure of the age of an Elinor. :)

Clary · 14/05/2012 00:05

I agree with those who say Ella is a name in its own right.

I have never heard of it being short for anything. My mum is Ella and she never liked it as a child as she never knew another! Lots about now, tho of course they are mostly aged about 10!

All the names you mention OP are popular and most classes will have one or two of them, aged up to about 13-14 IME. Not reasons not to use them tho.

gaunyerseljeannie · 14/05/2012 00:10

Its both. My mum (born 1929) is Ella, but its short for Isabella.... and she was named after her grandmother who was called the same.

Clary · 14/05/2012 00:27

Interesting! My mum was born in 1930 btw, so she needed to meet yr mum gaunyersel!

Sarcalogos · 14/05/2012 00:38

I have taught all these names ( and indias and Tamaras whoever said that) at vair posh schools around the country I think they are classless names.

I don't particularly love them, but they are nice enough and present in all walks of like IMO.

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