Is Iris about to get really popular?

[divingoffthebalcony]

I'm expecting #2 and love Iris for a girl. But I keep seeing it pop up on the Baby Names board so I'm worried it will explode into the top 20 or even the top 10 within the next few years (like Ruby or Ava).

I feel very torn between choosing a name I love, versus a name I think is "safe" in terms of not getting super popular. I know some posters here are mystified by the notion of avoiding popular names, but I am one of those people who would be upset by it, ok?

So, name geeks, what's the consensus?

[Stokey]

I don't think it will get to Edie, Grace or Ruby popularity but there's a healthy trickle. I know three, age 5, 2.5 and new born.

[KERALA1]

No don't go for it! Its a horrendous name avoid at all costs

[EeekNumber4]

I have an eight-year old Iris. Weirdly another coupe in our antenatal group called their daughter Iris?! Other than that we have only met one other younger Iris. It may be becoming more popular but I don't think it will ever be another Amelia or Evie. If you like it, go for it!

[HollyBen]

DH likes flowery girls names. He suggested Rosie for DC2, i wasn"t sure at first. It is growing on me now, but i suggested Iris. There are 2 in DD1 nursery class of around 25 which then made me think it is getting v popular. However in all the other classes/groups we go to/have been too i have never met another Iris.

[KERALA1]

Mine is 8 please don't use name thought I was being really original! Only one in school of 400...most girls round here named eve or grace

[Trills]

for every person who thinks of goddess or flower, there is another who thinks eyeballs

Right now people will also think ISIS.

[LovedandLoyal]

If you love it then go for it! You might regret it. Also I don't think it will be super popular but may be a few around as its a nice name

[picklesandfrittles]

Just to add...I love the name Iris and it's on our short list but agree that seeing names pop up here on this forum a lot doesn't mean they will actually become massively popular. I basically wrote exactly your post two years ago about the name Arthur for DS1 as I was convinced it was going to become too popular but so far I've only met one other one!

[WhereIsMyHat]

I know quite a few in the 4-2ywar old category. It is beautiful although I suspect has the makings of being an 'Evie'.

[bitofanoddone]

My two very good friends have Juliets. I know of one Iris in my circle.

[burgatroyd]

Its interesting. I wonder what made Evie, Lilla and isobel really popular...

[Nightstar]

Hiya, Iris was in our top three and I posted on here. But we aren't going for it. I think a lot of people like it because it is pretty, but it doesnt mean they will use it.

I was drawn to it because of the Flower Fairy. Have you looked at the Iris Flower Fairy print? She is just adorable and I could imagine my future daughter having that on her wall for years.

But in the end, we didn't feel it went well enough with our surname. You might find that a load of people like it but actually only a handful use it. I think it works like that with most name. Only a rare few like Lily, Evie and Bella get really big.

[freedom2011]

I've got a v little one called that. She's very lovely. Who cares as long as you like it. I waited several years for her to come along and wasn't about to change what I'd called her in my head for 5 years because of fashion. Give her a good second name and she can go by that if there really are 8 in her class or something.

[DPotter]

I met an Iris yesterday - she was about 2-2.5. I think it's a lovely name!

[burgatroyd]

I don't think it will become mega popular. Its like Juliet. Everyone loves it on mn but I don't know any in real life.

[FrancisdeSales]

I think there's a good chance it will get popular as interestingly the Americans may have been ahead of us on that one.

When we lived in Seattle and DD was a toddler about 12 years ago she was surrounded by Avas, Ivys and Irises. Since then both Ava and Ivy have exploded in the UK so think Iris is probably next.

I knew a Heather with a baby Ivy

[bluewisteria]

Haha that's ok, Irie, I did a double take though as my husband is called James!

[FeelingIrie]

Sorry, I meant Blue, not James.
I admit it, I'm drunk.

[looki]

This forum is frequented by people who have a keen interest in baby names, not just mums to be so you are far more likely to encounter 'uncommon' names. Like many of the posts on this forum, where a name is 'considered', it doesn't mean the name will be used or it may be used as a middle name or it doesn't mean the name ever even reaches the top three favourite names.

I wouldn't give a second thought to how many posts you read where people are 'considering' a certain name. Go to the name stats and see how many times it has been used. If you see a surge in its popularity over the last year or two, then its probably safe to say it will increase.

Even taking all the above into account, a soap star/celeb etc could have a baby tomorrow and call her Iris which potentially will bring the name to the forefront of people's minds. Its not always the case either though. Take Sarah Jessica Parker who called one of her daughters Tabitha. There are countless posts on here saying that Tabitha is a favourite name, yet its not a very popular name when the stats. are recorded especially considering SJP was well known at the time she had her twins. (For the record I love Tabitha and really wish I had used it myself :) )

Simply said, its future popularity cannot be predicted when its not an already popular name e.g. Ava etc.

[rednsparkley]

I have an Iris (she is nearly 4) and we get nothing but positive reactions when people hear her name. I haven't come across another in person yet although an old school friend has an older Iris (7)

[FeelingIrie]

Oh James, lovely name! Love Etta but hadn't thought of/come across Rosetta as a longer version, that combines two names I love and is much prettier than Jamesetta, Etta James' original first name!

[lightgreenglass]

I don't see it being top 20 but I definitely think people see it as an alternative to Isla which is now incredibly popular. It is a lovely name I think!

[bluewisteria]

Ooh, is Etta popular now?! We have an Etta, short for Rosetta, she is 2 years old.

I LOVE Iris.... I think you should go for it - as others have said, because it is so marmite it won't become the next Isabella.

[EmilyGilmore]

I love it. You will probably meet a few here and there but not enough to put you off. I really liked it for DD but my DH worked with one at the time and it seemed a bit weird to name the baby after her!

[Ihateparties]

Same, lots of people love it but as many people are polite about it, some say it sounds too harsh etc. Among dd's friends there are many of the other names that have come up, Connie, Etta, Mabel, Betsy, Elspeth etc. So I suppose I don't perceive those names as any less popular. If I had to name another child I would be totally stuck!