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Original poster

What's more classic and timeless, Emily or Sarah?

100 replies

hcarter8 · 31/10/2023 15:42

Me and my husband are struggling to decide on a name, even though some may say it’s a boring bland name I like the name Sarah, I just think it’s a good old no nonsense name that is relatively timeless.

My husband likes Emily but I’m not sure even though I do think its pretty and I don't know if people like it as much these days but i vividly remember it being so popular 20 years ago i remember so many people naming their daughters Emily in the 00s it was crazy to me how popular it became in such a short amount of time.

I looked at the statistics out if curiosity on the ons website and even though sarah was quite a popular name here in the UK in the 70s/80s I’ve never actually met one which is quite odd, I prefer Sarah because it has never left the top 100 names from 1904 to 2017 and it's only just left in the last few years which would make it a genuinely timeless name. Whereas Emily actually left the top 100 in 1914 and was unheard of for a good 50 odd years until 1973 when it re entered the top 100 and slowly rose, eventually hit the number 2 spot in in the 90s and was number 1 in 2003 and 2004, so I’d expect most Emily’s these days to be in the age range of 15-30 years old.

I was given a very popular 80s name that has dated badly because of its once mega popularity at a certain time so I’m making a point not to do the same to my daughter but me and my husband are struggling to compromise.

Thoughts? What seems more dated?

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Crikeyalmighty · 31/10/2023 16:40

I also really like Laura too if you like classic names

tsmainsqueeze · 31/10/2023 16:40

I love Sarah , Emily sounds weak to me but i like Emma.

Herne · 31/10/2023 16:41

I prefer Emily, when I was in school there was LOADS of Sarah's (I'm 31 now)

Pemba · 31/10/2023 16:42

hcarter8 · 31/10/2023 16:23

I never said it was a 90s name, it's obviously an old name but it peaked in the 90s/00s all you have to do is look at the statistics. It's like the way olivia is obviously an old name but it's just having the most popularity right now

Show quote history

@hcarter8 No I know you didn't say that, I was talking to Sconehenge, 2 posts above mine, probably should have made that clearer.

Spendonsend · 31/10/2023 16:43

Sarah is ridiculously popular in my age group. But i think it's more timeless than Emily. I think Emily is prettier though.

EmiliaRuusuvuori · 31/10/2023 16:46

Sarah seems very dated to me, I know four. They are aged from late forties to mid sixties.
I don't know anyone called Emily, I think that seems more timeless to me. It's also the name of my favourite Gilmore Girls character 😀

JustKen · 31/10/2023 17:09

I prefer Emily but it's popular now.

There were a couple of Sarah's when I was in school in the 80s/early 90s but it's not common at all now.

Other old names I remember from school: Lucy, Claire, Emma, Rebecca, Anna, Jaime Stephanie and Sasha.

BoleynMemories13 · 31/10/2023 18:03

I don't think you can pit them against each other in terms of which is 'more' classic or timeless as clearly they both match that description well. Only difference being Sarah hit its boom in the 70s and 80s, Emily the 90s and 00s.

Right now, Sarah is probably less likely to be repeated in school (but no guarantees). However, in 20 plus years when she's in the work place she could easily be one of many with either of those names.

I'm amazed you apparently don't know anyone called Sarah. Every other girl in the 80s was Sarah!

I prefer Emily out of the two, as Sarah is so bland, but I prefer Emma to Emily which is another timeless classic. I just think it's a bit more sparky.

I think a compromise may be necessary if neither of you are willing to give in to the other. Other timeless classics:-

Lucy
Anna
Charlotte
Alice
Rebecca
Rose
Grace
Alexandra
Catherine
Elizabeth
Rachel
Laura
Victoria

Ilovegoldies · 31/10/2023 18:11

I can't believe people think Sarah is boring or bland. Try being called Jane 😂. Sarah is a beautiful name as is Emily. I think Sarah is definitely due a revival though. Emily has had theirs. When I had my first 20 years ago the woman next to me called her daughter Sarah. This was when Poppy, Lily, and Olivia were the only other available girls names 😏 I thought it was a lovely choice.

Pemba · 31/10/2023 18:36

When people say a name is bland, it's usually because they know lots of them. So it seems everyday to them.

But the reason they know lots of, for example Sarahs, is because someone a few decades ago thought it was a lovely name (which it is), and used it and it then became fashionable, so that is why it is associated with a particular time period. It's still a classic though, just has been out of fashion for a while. It's classic enough to return though,in a way that Tracey (for example) probably won't.

Roselilly36 · 31/10/2023 18:52

I love both names, I also like Laura, Lucy, Maria, Sophie.

Holidayhell22 · 31/10/2023 19:14

I think Sarah is more timeless. Emily is a traditional name was was very popular around 20 years ago.
How about Sarah Emily?

useitorlose · 31/10/2023 19:17

Look up the keto twins on youtube!

currantname · 31/10/2023 19:24

Love the name Emma

KirstenBlest · 31/10/2023 19:45

They're both classic. I know lots of Sarahs but no young ones. I too much prefer Emma to Emily.

Jane is also a classic and I love it, but not as a middle name.

Not keen on Zara, the shop and popularity has ruined it for me.

Mumofteenandtween · 31/10/2023 19:52

They are both lovely lovely names. I’m biased though - one of them is dd’s middle name and the other is “the name I wanted to give Dd but Dh doesn’t like it”.

I would say that Sarah is more classical as it is biblical. But it is a bit like saying “who is faster Usain Bolt or Mo Farah” - they are both really fast.

There are a lot more child Emilys about than child Sarahs so if you want your child to be the only one in her class then go for Sarah.

PastorCarrBonarra · 31/10/2023 19:59

I’m chuckling at the PP upthread who doesn’t like being called Jane. I adore that nane! I find it timeless and stylish.

I like Emily and Sarah but I think the latter better meets your brief, OP.

Robotalkingrubbish · 31/10/2023 20:07

Emily ❤️

Emma is also lovely.

StartupRepair · 31/10/2023 20:14

Both beautiful timeless and classic names. There are more middle-aged and older Sarahs and more Emilys in their 20s and 30s. Having said that I know one of each aged 14.

HuntingoftheSnark · 31/10/2023 20:14

Both nice names - there seem to be a lot more Emilys around who range from children to women in their fifties. I always pair Emily with Charlotte - the Brontes and the two girls in The Dolls' House. Lucy is also in the same vein.

AutumnIsMyFriend · 31/10/2023 20:16

Emily is the nicer, imho

BitofaStramash · 31/10/2023 20:17

Emily

CremeEggThief · 31/10/2023 20:18

I far prefer Sarah. I just think the sound of it is much prettier. I like Emma and Emilia better than Emily as well. I nearly always prefer the version of a name that ends in 'a'.

WutheringMights · 31/10/2023 20:19

Sarah and Emily are both beautiful names. Emily wins it for me though (it's my DD1 name).

VanityDiesHard · 31/10/2023 20:23

I don't really like either name, but I far prefer Emily (although I love the name Emma) Sarah is just dull IMO, although Sara is a more attractive variation. If I were going for a 'classic' name I would go for Charlotte, Alice, or Lucy.