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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Names which are unpopular and you don't understand why

126 replies

detachablehoof · 06/02/2019 20:25

I wondered about calling my PFB Topsy. 99.9% of responses were utter horror. Olive was another on my list which people were horrified by. I don't understand why?! It's not weird, it's easy to spell, it's a proper name, ...

And now I'm wondering about Beryl. A quick search of this forum tells me that I'd get a similar reaction so I'll not ask for opinions Grin

If it was a boy I liked Leonard ... which elicited horror from my family!

Do I just have terrible taste or does anyone else find the general consensus really odd sometimes? Like why is Olive considered terrible and frumpy when Olivia is so popular?

Would love to hear which other names you wonder why they aren't used more!

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sleepismysuperpower1 · 06/02/2019 20:27

I really like Olive, i don't know why people oppose it tbh

WishUponAStar88 · 06/02/2019 20:27

I think Olive is beautiful although not a fan of the others particularly Topsy (I just think Topsy Turvy or Topsy and Tim!) personal choice though, it’d be very dull if all children had the same 10names!

SoyDora · 06/02/2019 20:28

I like Olive. The other 3... not so much!

MyNameIsAlexDrake · 06/02/2019 20:31

Topsy - sounds a bit jolly hockey sticks to me. Or a nickname.

Olive - although it was a long time ago still has the association of Olive from 'on the buses'. Frumpy and unattractive. Also Olive Oil from Popeye. And erm, the margarine.

Beryl - old lady name, not yet chic.

Whatififall · 06/02/2019 20:33

Olive is nice.
Topsy is not a real name.
Beryl is too old fashioned.

violeticecream · 06/02/2019 20:36

I think beryl will come back in vogue. It's the name of a lovely green gemstone. Actually very pretty

abcriskringle · 06/02/2019 20:41

I like Olive! Also Beryl will be on trend soon I reckon.
I don't know why some names are hated (I quite like unusual names that others don't) but equally I don't understand why some are so popular! Guess it's all a matter of taste.

Hushnownobodycares · 06/02/2019 20:47

Topsy is cute for a little one. Teen or young adult may not thank you.

Olive just sounds a bit leaden in comparison to Olivia. Kind of a 'why would you when'...

Beryl. Can't really see it coming back to the mainstream but if you wanted to guarantee no other child in the class or even the school will have it, go for it.

Leonard is cool.

DrBuckles · 06/02/2019 20:47

I’d like a child called something like Topsy. Ds was going to be Bonnie which is in a similar style but more acceptable!

Beryl always sounds like a burp in my mind- does that even make sense? It always makes my tummy feel a bit weird with the sound and letter order.

IndianaMoleWoman · 06/02/2019 20:48

I think Sandra sounds beautiful but I just wouldn’t. Imagine the faces you’d get with baby Sandra.

MrBrown · 06/02/2019 20:48

Topsy is not a real name

Thank god you said it. Always thought it was bloody ridiculous name when DS would watch Topsy and Tim. It's also the name of that stupid imaginary pet dinosaur on that other show so that says it all really.

Lockerblocker · 06/02/2019 20:50

Topsy is a bit like a name you'd give a rabbit. Can you imagine someone called Topsy being interviewed about something serious on Question Time or similar? It doesn't fit.

Babdoc · 06/02/2019 20:54

Topsy dates much further back as a name. She was a black slave child in the classic novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.

ShowOfHands · 06/02/2019 20:55

I like Greta and Agatha and I think they're heard as quite harsh or old fashioned.

kalefire · 06/02/2019 20:57

Being honest, I think you may just have horrible taste in names Grin sorry

Original poster
detachablehoof · 06/02/2019 20:57

Dorothy is another one which I think is lovely!

OP posts:
Original poster
detachablehoof · 06/02/2019 20:58

@kalefire LOL I knew at least one person would say that 😂

OP posts:
NabooThatsWho · 06/02/2019 20:58

Topsy Shock please don’t do that to your child.

LokiDokiArtichoki · 06/02/2019 21:01

I’ve got a Leonard! It’s a cool name! He’s 18 months, we call him Lenny. Get a lot of compliments on his name. Not too popular but known.

Like Olive too

LikeARedBalloon · 06/02/2019 21:03

I much prefer Olive to Olivia. Olivia just grates on me...unfortunate when there are so many parents yelling it across the playground each morning!!

Bumblebeesmum · 06/02/2019 21:07

Leonard is cool - Lenny :)
Olive is not for me - but classy

Topsy (now I’ve convinced my phone not to autocorrect to Tipsy or Topsoil) is the sort of thing you’d name a rabbit.
I wouldn’t say you have bad taste....maybe ‘diverse’....

claracluck78 · 06/02/2019 21:07

I love Dorothy - it was in the running had DSs been DDs

I also have a friend called Topsy IRL. I've never used her name in conversation with her or called her by her name for some reason but it's now become a 'thing' when I see her that I avoid saying her name out loud.

Bumblebeesmum · 06/02/2019 21:08

“Oh I’m so sorry you need emergency surgery, don’t worry though this is Topsy one of our best Surgeons”

What would you think? I’d be somewhat terrified Grin

starzig · 06/02/2019 21:08

Prefer olive to Olivia. Topsy is gorgeous.

PuppyMonkey · 06/02/2019 21:09

Dorothy is gorgeous. I like Dot and Dotty too.