WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE NAMES?

[wattlegirl]

I hardly ever hear these boys names being chosen or even offered for discussion on here. They are:

Stephen
Paul
Phillip

I personally think they are still great names but it seems they have become somewhat obsolete.

Am I mistaken on this? What are your opinions?

I think of Simon and Richard like this too.

And maybe Matthew and Mark?

Love Philip/ Pip. I might bring it back. Too many Stevens and Paul's of my own generation for me to love them again yet, but they are lovely names!

I think it's just a sign of when they were last popular - around the same time as Kelly, Michelle and Liane. They haven't disappeared though.

I'm slightly younger than the period I mentioned, but I've heard of a few Paul's my age and a bit younger (which surprised me as it's my DF's and frankly I think it's horrible :P ). Stephen's too, although fewer. It seems to be a relatively common mn though, so maybe it'll come back pretty soon (although the one I know has Stephen as his middle name after his uncle, so maybe not).

Philip, I have no explanation for. Except maybe 'Phil' is a bit dated.
Good name, minus the nn. Maybe it'll come back now that Pip seems to have become acceptable again.

Popular names go in cycles often.

People will often use their grandparent and great grandparents names.

So, these names are more likely used on our own or parent's generation at moment - so give it a generation or two and they may well be back.

Stephen - I like it a lot, prefer this spelling, but have nothing against Steve for short (though probably not until they get into their teens - calling a small child Steve sounds a bit too much like trying to be cool). Would be very happy to see it come back.

Paul - like rather than dislike, but it feels rather neutral and unadventurous to me.

Phillip - sorry but I really like Philip with one L (which I think is the more traditional spelling) but it looks a bit wrong to me with 2. If you don't like Phil for short there's always Pip or Flip.