Ordinary names I've never seen suggested on MN

[ZaZathecat]

I don't think I've ever seen Nicola mentioned. There were lots in my generation. Maybe it will be back in 5-10 years when we start to become grannies.

Still loads of Steven/Steve/Ste in Liverpool (I imagine thanks to Steven Gerrard?)

I grew up in Liverpool and didn't meet a Nicholas or Simon until I was in my 30s. I thought of them as terribly posh names. They're not though, are they.

I know a 5 year old Malcolm and did the ‘sorry, Malcolm?’ face too.

I also know a little Lee and Paul too.

Not so many Sheila’s around these days.

Have we mentioned Suzanne and Linda / Belinda? I thought these were impossibly glamorous when I was young and they were relatively frequent. I agree with previous mentions of Deborah, Karen, Rachel, which are all lovely I think in sound and writing. Similar names like Helen have somehow survived a bit better.

Boy names don't feature as much in my mind as subject to the same trends. They are a lot more static and less faddish. Maybe Niall/Neil, Clive?

I know a toddler called Brian.

I know quite a few young children with names that have been mentioned here - Sarah, Anna, Andrew etc.

I haven't met a Tanya or a Donna though. Those are probably due a revival in ten years or so, by which time they will mostly be names of the 'granny' generation.

girls names of my generation
lisa, tina, clare, sarah, donna, dawn, deborah and susan.
boys names
gary, paul, mark, dave, neil, craig
no doubt they will be back, weve got to get through all the valeries eileens and dereks and brians first.

I teach in a school with many EAL students. Nikola, Julia, Monika are popular as is Ana or Anna.

I grew up in Liverpool and didn't meet a Nicholas or Simon until I was in my 30s. I thought of them as terribly posh names. They're not though, are they

That reads in a broad scouse accent, especially the last sentence :)

Back in the 80’s the “unique” name du jour seemed to be Donna Marie. These were always the “cool” girl, lots of make up, trendy clothes, some boy drama going on all the time.

I don't know any baby Sharons or Traceys. I do wonder if those names will ever be popular again.

I was quite surprised to see Kenneth and Wendy on the taylor list of posh names recently

Janet
Susan
Linda
Margaret
Derek
Paul
Colin
Mark

Stewart, Philip, Paul, Janice, Janet, Carol, Samantha, Ann, Richard, Ian, Debbie, Roy... is Robert still a choice? All popular when I was at primary school!

Nigel
Graham
Brian
Ian
Jason
Howard

Denise
Angela
Teresa
Lisa
Lesley
Justine

Kimberley
Gemma
Hayley
Amy
Leanne
Lauren
All seem to have disappeared in the last 10 years

@FizzyGreen - at the risk of outing myself, Nicola is an ok name, although I prefer the nicknames Nikki or Nic.

I don’t think it will ever be that popular again though...

I have a 1 year old niece called Nicola.

Just realising how many babies/young kids with less usual names I know.

More than one: Michael, John, Stephen, Peter, Paul, Rachel, Anna, Amy

At least one: Sarah, Alice, Laura, Martin, Mark

Nigel? Martin?

I came across a young Sheila recently - that used to be common name for babies in the 1930s.

Ian
Derek
Martin
Gary
Kelvin
Gavin
Keith
Lisa
Sally
Debbie
Julie
Tracey
Joanne
Samantha
Kelly

Rachel.

Gail, Lisa, Janet

Fiona, Andrew, Adam, Claire

Tina!

no Tinas any more.

I have a teenage Rachel, and know of several more.

All the Rachels I know are teens or younger. I don't know any adult Rachels, I always think of it as a young name.