Let’s talk about Ann…

[KAM4]

Just for context I’m not pregnant but did have a baby this year so often think about baby names still. My middle name is Ann (I know it’s a common middle name for a certain generation) and I have aunts on both sides (one Anne & one Ann).
I find it funny to think of both my grandmothers choosing such a simple, one syllable name for their new baby girls when we give names such time and thought now, to choose something so simple (& at the time, common, seems so odd). It makes me wonder if Ann as a name is dead?
I do occasionally hear of names like Mary, Catherine, Margaret (Maggie) for babies but never of Ann.
I think of glamorous actresses like Ann Margaret and think it sounds classic & cool double-barrelled but am I wrong to think it’s just too simple to make a modern comeback on its own?
PS: I know Annie and Anna are still popular but they have that extra syllable so are different to me.
PPS: no offence to any Ann/Annes out there, it’s my middle name also so I feel it’s partly my name too!

My comfort book is Anne of Green Gables so I love the name-with-an-e

I have a Cathryn Ann, but she is early 20s now

I know a few baby girls with Ann as a middle name and one little Annie, I think she is Anne on her birth certificate though. It will come back into fashion I think but will never be as common as it once was.

Boring name.

My middle name is Anne too. But (and I don't mean to offend) I think Anne is nicer than Ann. Not just because it's my middle name! But it looks a bit more 'complete' as a name is guess.

But I think you're right, Anna, Annabelle (etc), Annie are all more popular than Ann/Anne!

I think it will come around shortly - in 10 to 15 years - other mid century names like Susan and Patricia

We have plenty of Eves, Roses, Mays, Ferns, Hopes and Graces so I don’t think the single syllable will be a bar

It's my sister's name - but spelt Anne. I love it, always thought she got a better name than me!

I think it will come back too.
Elsie and Norah made a come back, so I don’t see why Ann/Anne can’t.

My full name when asked is “Anne with an e”. I get so fed up with repeating it. Please choose another name. So many lovely names out there. Anna, Annabelle, Amelia???

I have Ann as a middle name and I've never liked it, it doesn't even go with my first name. Literally a filler. I prefer Anne.

I prefer Anne to Annie. There have been (if I've counted right) seven Queens called Anne - six consorts and one regnant - plus literary heroines such as Anne Shirley, as pp said, and Anne Elliot.

Interesting! I’m currently pregnant, and if the baby is a girl then her middle name will be Ann.

I think I prefer the look of it spelt with an E, although I have a very nice friend called Ann without one. But it's a nice name either way and I would quite like to see it used more often. Oddly enough I was thinking about Jane earlier today - very nice name, popular in my age group and you just never hear of a little one any more. Anne has a rather similar feel to me - if fact I used to know a pair of sisters called Anne and Jane, both in their 50s now.

I’m always fascinated as to why some ‘vintage’ names remain popular or make comebacks and others fall out of the top baby name lists. I think Ann/Anne is uniquely in it’s simplicity which may be why it hasn’t comeback?
I know my aunt Ann hates her name, and she doesn’t go by any nicknames. Agreed that Anne looks more rounded when written.
(The Queen obviously loved it, when her only daughter is an Anne)
(Edited to add that Ann and Jane as sisters would be very unique today, and actually quite cute together)

I'm with some of the other posters - Ann to me is an older lady's name, but Anne isn't....I know that sounds stupid, I can't even articulate why!

I really like it , it's simple and i like the 'sound' of it.

I quite like it. I have several family members called Ann/Anne including my grandmother who I’m very close to, so it has very positive connotations for me. I don’t think I would use it for a first name as it does seem a bit too old fashioned. But I have considered Anna/Hannah as a sort of nod to the Annes in my family.

Anne looks softer somehow - Ann looks very hard.

I do prefer Annie and Anna, though.

Exactly.

Anne is my middle name and I hate my first name so much I wish I was just called Anne, then I'd go by Annie. Too old to be changing it now.

Surprised it isn't more popular as super short names (Ava, Ada etc.) seem to be chosen frequently round here at the moment.

Editing to add that it is the name of one of my grandmothers and the middle name of the other. So, whilst I don’t dislike the name, I’d mainly be using it to honour my amazing grandparents. I don’t really see the point of middle names unless they have some sort of personal connection or significance.

It’s my name. I'm neither old enough for it to suit me or young enough for it to be retro - as it’s spelt with an E, I suspect quite a few people might be surprised when they finally get to put a name to face.

There are times when I wish I’d gone in the Annie direction when younger but overall I don’t mind it. At least for a more unfashionable name it’s not something quite as uncommon for my generation or as dated as say, Linda or Pamela.

I don’t mind it, basically. It’s inoffensive. But I certainly wouldn’t say I loved it!

I love the name! I think it's timeless, classic, elegant. I prefer the spelling Anne.
Annie, I dislike, Anna is to fussy, Ann is missing an e.
Just Anne, bold but pretty.
I don't think having one syllable is a problem. Plenty of names do - Rose is very common at the moment.

The lowest-effort name ever.

Ann.

Just a syllable.

Couldn't even be bothered adding an "e" for flair.

ANN.

I'm asleep just saying it.