Names whose popularity mystify you

[Movablefeast]

I feel I must be showing my age because I don't understand the popularity of Fern/e. I don't hate it, I am just amazed at it's immense popularity. Why do you think it has caught the zeitgeist at the present time?

I used to feel the same way spurtions but it has grown on me. Maybe I was brainwashed by watching Despicable Me too many times.

I've never met a Nancy, and would associate it with the Victorian era, not middle aged women.

I'm another one who doesn't "get" the meteoric rise of Arlo. It looks unfinished, sounds unfinished and unfortunately reminds me of the local pronunciation of Harlow in Essex.

I will also never understand the popularity of hyphenated first names. Although that fad seems to be mostly over, now.

Moveable, that probably explains my intense dislike! It’s in the same category as Donna, Tammy, Terri, and Linda over here.

I’m very drawn to the late Victorian period-1920s so like old fashioned names but don’t think I could stomach Ethel, Bertha, Mildred, or Edith.
Agnes (prefer Inez) could sound fresh though

As a teacher I don't dislike names but I struggle with the fact a lot of popular girl's names sound/ look very similar which doesn't seem to happen with boys.

Having a Millie, Mollie, Tilly, Megan, Mya, Myla and Mia in the same room is quite a challenge when learning their names.

Also happens with Amelia, Amelie, Aleisha, Aaliyah, Aisha

Charlotte. If it was a colour it would be beige.

Jackson (including Jacson, Jaxon, Jacqueson and any other spelling).

Why would anyone saddle a child with this as a first name?

My dd has 3 best friends called Gabi, Addie and Abbie. I was forever getting them confused. Also another lovely friend is Alivia and of course I kept sticking an O in the front! Agggh!

Thank God for Leila or I think I would have lost it.

The one name whose popularity baffles me is George. It’s such a podgy, red Hanoverian kind of name.

Love George! But he was my lovely grandad.

Eve, Evie (I like both), Eva, Ava, Ada, Ida, Ivy etc seem to just blur into one.
They tend to remind me of Coronation Street characters from the 1970s. Evelyn just make me thing Waugh.

I quite like Donna, Tammy and Linda.

Yes, I agree with Ella. It's such a blah, nothing kind of a name. Literally means "she". It's more of a label than a name. I feel the same about Junior.

Not keen on; Ella, lily, Olivia, Sophie, Emily, Grace, Amelia etc. And the boys top ten equivalents. I think it's mainly because they've been done to death but I just find them a little insipid and unoriginal. Also another one who doesn't tend to enjoy hyphenated names.

Most of the names mentioned are absolutely fine.

Not sure what makes a name dislikeable but mine are:-

Stanley Sidney Frank George Alfie Jaxon Harley Arlo Jesse

Fran...but can't think of many girls.

Jack
Harry
Noah
Olivia
Evie
Oscar

Amelia and Mia... I know both are totally normal, legitimate names but I really dislike how they sound!

Phoebe.

Millie Max Archie Charlie Finley George Hazel Joshua - it’s all personal that though

Isla - I think it is harsh sounding and no idea why it is so popular.

I don't like the surname as first name trend. It's fine if it's been done to honour a relative but I don't actually know anyone where that's the case. I find it particularly annoying when someone with no connections to Ireland (for example) chooses a random Irish surname for their child's first name - so many beautiful first names, why land a child with Murphy or McKenna?! Also Jackson (even worse spelled Jaxon) - why not Jack?

Love Phoebe!

"Oright Feebs?!"

Maximus.
Seriously why.
Though I guess at least they gave the child a full name not just a nickname - Teddy, Freddie, Theo..

I met a baby Agatha the other day - so glad I could comment on the cuteness of the baby with no need to mention the name! I guess if the name gets shortened to Aggie when she's older it won't be too bad but I overheard mum saying she wanted it to stay as Agatha for as long as possible.

@Tentomidnight my son's name is Samuel (almost always Sam) when I told my BIL, who is a primary school teacher, we were considering it he laughed and said 'you can't call him that he'll get bullied at school ' 😂

Abigail. Breaks down to A big ail. And i dont like abi as a nn or the gail sound at the end. Awfully harsh name and I dont understand the popularity.

Isabella. Someone I knew named their baby Isabella Rose. It sounds like a question, Is a bell a rose?

Mason. Jayden. Arthur. April. Amelie