Classless names

[Pico2]

I noticed that someone said that Daniel was a classless name (could belong to anyone).

I don't want to start a bunfight, I know that every name should be classless, because we shouldn't be prejudiced. However I really like the idea of using a name that is perceived as classless. So what boys and girls names do you think are classless?

Anything traditional I guess. You can't 'get at' a name that has been around forever for being too posh or not posh enough.

Names like Elizabeth, Thomas, Rebecca, Alice, Amy, George, Samuel etc

David. Mark. John. Michael. Matthew. James. Peter. Joseph.

Sarah. Sophie. Isabelle. Jane. Anne/Annie.

Boys

Adam, James, Thomas, Jack, Harry

Girls

Alice, Emma, Laura, Grace, Charlotte

Benjamin
Thomas
Matthew
James

Catherine
Helen
Amy
Chloe

I think to be classless they have to be spelt traditionally also.

I think the vast majority are, tbh. I don't think many names actually have "toff" or "peasant" connections

Adam, George, Luke, Thomas, Robert, Benjamin.

Catherine, Elizabeth, Ruth, Mary, Annabel, Juliet.

You're probably right Fatalcabbage, I was a bit disappointed when DH vetoed "Zara" because we aren't posh enough.

I have actually cornered the market in that, in uncommon names also they, my children and the imaginary ones are, Alan (Al), Francis (Frank) Anthony (Tony) Ronald (Ron) Edward (Ed) .....I don't know a single Edward! ever! anybody? name needing reclaiming, Douglas (Dougie, Doug)
Sidney (Sid) Norman (Norm) Seth, Jessie ( I know a 40 year old Jessie and it was my top name, and also my Great grandfathers name)

I am a nurse and I noticed as a student the names of my 80+ year old patients would start to appear in my Mums stories as a midwife.
20 plus years later my 80-100 year lag theory has proved mainly true for old names, I was I hope 20 years ahead of the trend :) so only 10 now, enjoy.

I know an Edward and a Douglas, both under 2.

missing I know loads of Edwards (Eds)! I can think of at least 3 of the top of my head all in their late 20s / early 30s. It's also on my boy name short list. Douglas... no, can't think of a single one!

*off the top of my head sorry

A lot of these names aren't 'classless' they are middle class.

Classless means used by net mum types as well as mc mners and toffs.

I think William is one.
James too.

Charlotte on the bc is but the nns are class divided, same with Alexandra.

I don't think Harry and Mark are classless at all, I don't think you will find many of them at Eton. And before anyone screams prince Harry, that is not his name.

James I think is, it tells you nothing about the class of the person or their origins. But maybe I think this because I have encountered a few from different backgrounds.

Oliver, James, Harry, Charlie, Emma, Emily, Jessica, Lucy - classic names like these seem to straddle the class divide quite well. Also I class is not as important as it was so people are more likely to pick names they like & not care about old stereotypes.

weatherall, maybe you can please give an example of a 'classless' name in your opinion then? Or maybe there is no such thing as a 'classless' name..?

Totally agree with sashh, I can't imagine a 'posh' (what a horrible word, sorry), Harry. Henry, yes, Harry, nope. That isn't a criticism of the name Harry at all. I had a very close relative named Harry; he was not at all posh and absolutely hated his name, bless him.

Ooooooh sorry weatherall, were you saying that James and William are 'classless' names?

Shovetty, have you forgotten Prince Harry? I know he is really Henry, but he is pretty upper class and chooses to be called Harry!

Boys - James, William, Thomas, Matthew, Edward.

Girls - Sarah, Emma, Emily, Jane, Charlotte

I agree - the name might fit all backgrounds but the NN often is very different

Mary

James

Harry's the ultimate posh name, isn't it? Pretty much all royalty who are/were called Henry were also known as Harry, or called Harry in their youth.

I think George is a name you can find in all social stratas - but I don't know that that makes it without class connotations.

Totally agree Harry is a 'posh' nn for Henry which is a pretty 'posh' name to have on a BC.

We have a Charlotte who's ten months. Which side of the class divide would I come down if we went with Charlie as a nn? Or Lottie?! Genuinely interested as it hadn't occurred to me that one NN had different connotations to the other.

Don't forget 'Char' like Charlotte Church dietcoke!

Robert is an odd one - it seems to straddle all classes.

Sarah too.

My family is from the NE, amazing people, not at all posh, or even middle class, and we have a Henry, Harry, George, and a William. So to me, they are classless names.

It just depends on your perception, and the people you know. I think names like, Aurelie, Annabel, Penelope, Ptolomy, Edwin are posh, because those are the names I encountered when I worked at a private boarding school.

If the only Zara, William, Harry's you know are the royals, then of course they would appear posh to you!

Yes, as others have said truly "classless" names do tend to be the oldest, most traditional ones.

They are names that would definitely pass the "High Court Judge Test" but also not seem out of place serving in McDonalds.

Most of these have been mentioned already - but;

For Boys:

Daniel
James
Matthew
Thomas
Mark
John
Joseph
Samuel
Michael

For Girls:

Sarah
Catherine
Kate or Katie
Emma
Lucy
Hannah
Charlotte
Megan
Elizabeth
Rebecca
Rachel