Kevin

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

Due a come-back, or not?

Richard certainly isn't "dated". It may be less popular atm, but it's never fallen into obscurity.

I think it's still used in Ireland. I know of three Richards between the ages 14 and 9.

Yes Mathanxiety, Rachel was the only repeated name in my DC1's class.

I have always thought of that as an anomaly that needs an explanation! The trends for most names match the trends in the UK but not Rachel!

Agree about Richard not being dated or having fallen into obscurity.

These 'comeback' threads always give me the rage Most of the names cited as dated, thanks to anecdata, (including the one in the blasted OP) have not fallen into obsolescence and, in fact, are experiencing a relatively healthy usage and popularity.

The article I read about the name 'Richard' was in The Times. It gave figures for how many babies were called Richard at the same point for the last 5 decades. The number of babies called Richard these days is very low - it clearly isn't obscure, as it's a name everyone knows. It just isn't anywhere near as popular as before with people having babies in the last 5-10 years.

However, I suspect this will be a blip - names of English monarchs have long term appeal.

That wasn't a recent article. I remember we discussed its inaccuracy, and it being a non-issue, a few years ago.

There's not nearly enough "Gazza" "bazza" and "shazzas" in the world.

Or dazzas.

(Garry, Barry, Sharon and Darren).

is that only an australian thing for shortening "bogan" 70s names?

Sarah, Rebecca and Rachael are pretty. Although popular in the 70s they are still traditional names (biblical names) IMO.

same with John, Mark etc. Traditional names that go through stages of popularity.

Tracey, Wendy, Kevin , Gavin etc I don't like. I can't even say why, there's a unconscious snob thing going on there I think.

Going back to Richard again; whilst Richard isn't obscure by any means, it absolutely has hugely declined in popularity. Interestingly, it is much higher up the rankings as a middle name now - I suspect many people choose a family name for the middle name and it is a nod to the very many Richards in the parental and grand parental generation, but also recognition that far fewer want to choose it as a first name.
In my mind, it isn't a name like Kevin, or other 'trendy' names which rise and fall relatively quickly - I think Richard will return strongly as a classic name.

It probably also has a lot to do with the changing fashion in how family names are used. It used to be common for children to be named after their parents, but the current fashion is to avoid giving existing family names as first names. So the eg Richards and Johns, which may be the names of dads, uncles, granddads etc, are being consigned to the middle name spot instead of the first name.

Damien's not great either.....
Or Neil?

DH who's (first and middle names are already mentioned on this fab thread!) has just mentioned Keith and Sean / Shaun.... I have to agree, not nice!

whose !

And Martin? Not the Premier League of Gary, Wayne etc but still....

Nothing wrong with Sean.

Nothing wrong with most of these names. I think some posters are just dredging up names of middle-aged people they know to have a sneer.

How about Terrance?

Usually Terence, isn't it? After the Roman playwright.

Anyone going to tip a revival of Hilary? For either gender?

Met a pre-schooler named Roy The other day (not Roi as i saw it written down). Not heard that name since my dads generation.

I know a little Kevin.
I think it sounds nicer with an American accent.

Aww little Roy is adorable!

I know a baby boy named Kenny. I wasn't too keen on the name at first but it's grown on me - it's kind of cute!

My husband is a Kevin. He is a fantastic guy, but what a shit name!

Like others, I don't associate it with the book or Minions. I used to have the awful 80s/chavvy thing but as an adult I've known two really nice Kevins (one biblically ) and that has changed my perception a bit. They both were/had Irish ancestry though so I think that makes a bit of a difference.

Having said that, Kevin Costner is enough to consign the name to Room 101...