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 don't think Fern is very popular. We loved it because it is soft sounding without being wet.. if that makes sense. I detest the name Sidney/Sydney which sounds really sour to me. Wouldn't do to all like the same names!

Reuben. Sounds like a pikey bare knuckle boxer

It might be worth pointing out that whatever you think about Reuben, 'Pikey' is considered to be an offensive - arguably racist - word.

Seconding Reuben, but for different reasons - to me it sounds wet and meek.
Ditto Robin, Louis, Noah, Oliver, Alfie, Charlie...just blah.

It’s curious to see people being negative about ‘old people’s’ names. I worked in residential homes, and some of the coolest and most inspirational people I met were over 80. Iris, Jessie, Reenie, Ruby, Connie, Dorothy, Alice and Edith; names that remind me of, and celebrate, brilliant women.

Where does Reenie come from? Is it a shortened version of another name?

Jyst googled my own question. Apparently it is a nn or familiar form for names such as Doreen and Maureen.

Could Fern’s popularity be the product of a generation who loved Charlotte’s Web? I know a few little Charlottes and Wilburs now too.

Olivia - borrrrrring

Penelope - sounds like you’re trying to be posh. Ploppy.

Margot - sounds hard & ugly. Looks like maggot.

I have a 15yr old Oliver, I was ahead of the game

I don't like-
Emily
Ellie
Ella
Amelia
Mia
Evie
Abbie
Nevaeh
Millie

Boys names I don't really dislike anything that strongly, except Noah and Evan

Florence and Penelope. I just don't like the sound of either or like Florrie/Penny as nicknames.

Margot
Freya
Olivia

Mimsy girls' names like Poppy

Posh boys' names like Quentin, Jasper

But these are not that popular

In terms of popularity: Oscar, Katie

I like Fern/e

Mimsy girls' names like Poppy

Yes, I’m also not a fan of the Poppy/Milly/Maisie/Tilly brigade.

Noah which sounds like a moany No.

And cutesy names like Alfie, Teddy, Poppy, Maisy etc,

anything -mae. Daisy-Mae, Lily-Mae. Sounds like redneck from the deep Appalachian mountains, rather than a girl from Surrey!

I've never met any Ferne's.
I don't get older names like Harry, Albert or George etc (George has popped up a few times when I've asked friends and family for name ideas. Not my cup of tea at all.)
I've met a couple of Oscars. That name just reminds me of the grouch on Sesame Street 😆

Also absolutely dislike Lily- Mae, Poppy- Mae or anything hyphenated with Mae .Remind me of the Beverly Hillbillies.I also find it unfair to call a child after a flower or Bella which means beautiful.What happens if she is not?

the thing I find surprising is that 'granny' names are the names of my grandparents (and I am a grandparent )
My generation born during and just after the 2nd world war were called Linda, Wendy, Eileen, Richard, Roderick, Steven, David (even Kevin and Keith)
the current trends for names are for the great great grandparents - like Stanley, Alfred, Ernest, Ethel, Iris, Gladys, Norman.

I've never met a Daisy who suited the name.

Dislike Arlo or any suddenly popular name - if you think you're being unique, wouldn't you check on how popular it has been in the last few years and avoid any with a soaring trajectory? It's all available via ONS and here
names.darkgreener.com

Harrson, Mason, Harley, Jax, Connell, Conor, Calum, Jacob,

Movable - my MIL is Reenie. Her full.name is Irene.

I also keep seeing Wren suggested on here, never met one and wouldn't think it awful at all but it seems a strange one to be suggesting on every thread

I also have a niece called Catherine but we call her Wren, I don’t think I’d ever suggest it as an actual name

Hate the name Olivia the 'o' sound is too harsh and in your face iyswim