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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would your own name work as a baby name now?

233 replies

Dustyblue · 31/01/2022 04:55

Mine wouldn't, I don't think.

It's Belinda, but I go by variations of it. Was very popular in Australia in the 70's. But I can't remember the last time I heard of a baby named Belinda.

Do you have a nice timeless name or a dated one like mine?

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Glitterygreen · 31/01/2022 10:59

Yes, my name is top 10 now for the first time in my lifetime :)

Luckily it wasn't when I was little, I was one of only 2 in my whole school and haven't really come across many others in my working life either.

piglet81 · 31/01/2022 11:14

My given name is from Shakespeare and is fairly rare. The short form I use outside work was somewhat unusual when I was a child (never on keyrings!) but is a top 10 given name now.

leavingthispoohole · 31/01/2022 11:15

@Sausagedogsarethebest

My name became officially 'extinct' in the UK in 2020 because no babies were given the name.
Oh please share!!!!
TinyTear · 31/01/2022 11:16

@kindcactus

My name is Xanthe. It gets suggested on this board all the time so I guess so!
I know THREE six and seven year old Xanthes!!!
OnceUponAThread · 31/01/2022 11:19

@CraftMaker

Given that I was named after a Pokemon, probably not.
@CraftMaker desperate to know which Pokémon now.
APurpleSquirrel · 31/01/2022 11:27

Mine would - it was unusual (or at least not common) when I was born (80s) but seems to be getting more popular.
New neighbours have just moved in this weekend & their DD has my name & she must be about 3.
Plus my name is one I sometimes see suggested on the baby names threads.

APurpleSquirrel · 31/01/2022 11:27

@CraftMaker

Given that I was named after a Pokemon, probably not.
Ohh is it Evie?
Dumbledoressister · 31/01/2022 11:28

Yes, it's a perennial

Ameanstreakamilewide · 31/01/2022 11:30

I bloody hate my name and always have.

It's not an unusual name, at all, but I've never met anyone of the same vintage as me with the same name.

I was born in '79, but it must have been popular in the late 50s, early 60s.

ElliotGoss · 31/01/2022 11:51

My names is very 90s American. I have taught children with it though (different spelling). Interestingly my DD has a 90s american name (I'm sure I read at one point 1 in every 10 girls born in america had this name) and on at least three occasions people have got our names the wrong way around on various club sign up forms.

HangoverSquare · 31/01/2022 13:02

I'm a 1980 born Fiona, as many of us were! It's worked just fine for me over the years. Everyone knows how to spell it and it doesn't get mistaken for any other name. It's not the most exciting or the most glamorous but I've never disliked it.

KirstenBlest · 31/01/2022 13:03

It was fairly unusual and a granny name when I was young but it is fairly popular now.

HelloBunny · 31/01/2022 13:04

I think mine would be lovely. But it’s not a popular name. It’s more common in Scotland, but not for new babies...

glastogal · 31/01/2022 13:05

Apparently not, I read an article a few days ago that said my name has gone extinct 🤣

OnwardsEverStridingOnwards · 31/01/2022 13:12

@MaybeHeIsMyCat

No. Nobody can spell it or pronounce it now apparently Danielle
That's my middle name. My first name is very popular with It girls, socialites, and rich people 😂😂

I believe that my first name would work nowadays. I saw it on a thread once where it was an OP's husbands favourite name 😊

BusterGonad · 31/01/2022 13:14

Is your name Tara?

Namechangenumber1 · 31/01/2022 13:15

Mine would work for a baby, however there are 5 songs (at least) that are about my name. At least 50% of the new people I meet sing at least one of them, the most annoying being one from a musical featuring Julie Andrews. It boils my piss 🙄

HangoverSquare · 31/01/2022 13:20

I'd hate to have name that people sang at me. Cecilia or Delilah...Mrs Robinson Grin

Namechangenumber1 · 31/01/2022 13:21

@hangoversquare the worst of it is that they seem to think that they're being really funny and/or original. Really, it's just irritating AF

HangoverSquare · 31/01/2022 13:22

[quote Namechangenumber1]@hangoversquare the worst of it is that they seem to think that they're being really funny and/or original. Really, it's just irritating AF[/quote]
I bet. Blokes who think they're the first person to crack that gag. Argh!

Push the next one down a deep well.

Namechangenumber1 · 31/01/2022 13:24

Actually, it's a pretty even split between men and women, usually over a certain age. I just kind of weakly smile whilst imagining stabbing them in the eyeballs.

babyjellyfish · 31/01/2022 13:24

I love Cecilia!

Namechangenumber1 · 31/01/2022 13:25

It's not Cecilia or Delilah btw.

HangoverSquare · 31/01/2022 13:26

The Julie Andrews hint makes me suspect it begins with M? It's a lovely name if it's the one I'm thinking of. I'd never sing at you!

Namechangenumber1 · 31/01/2022 13:27

Yes, you've got it bang on. I do love the name, it's timeless (I think) but people irritate me either by singing, or knocking off the last letter and replacing it with an e.