Have you ever wondered why...

[Stellan]

Ben is a popular name these days but not Ken? Harry but not Barry or Larry or Gary?

Can you think of any other names where you can go from mega popular to barely-used-at-all-for-babies just by changing one letter?

Interesting observation. I think it's just a matter of fashion and association. I am wracking my brains to think of more!

Evan - cool

Kevin - not so cool

Ok the letters are different but the sound is the same.

Mia but not Tia.

Ellie but not Nellie. Could go on forever

Or Ria, Gia and Pia.

Aiden not Cayden

DD and I were snorting over this with One Direction as an example

Harry, Zayn, Liam, Louis and Niall

Now imagine them being quite so cool if called ....

Barry, Wayne, Ian, Hugie and Kyle

Not a one-letter change, but Stacey is much more acceptable these days than Tracey

Billy and Jayden, Kayden, all gah!

Emma, not Gemma.

Zain and Wayne is a good one.

Molly, Holly not dolly or polly.

May, not Kay.

Not to my taste but Ryan not Brian
Again don't like but Aaron not Darren, Karen, Sharon

Aaron is (or should be) pronounced Air-on, therefore does not rhyme with the above!

A related thought... a letter difference to make a girl's name from a boy's (or vice versa) creates more than a world of difference in 'niceness' levels!

Phillip - Phillipa
Eric - Erica
Martin - Martina
Paul - Paula

Hmm, to me they're equally blah whether boy's names or girl's names.

T