Do you see these names as middle class, working class, or posh?

[OneRareSquid]

we've plenty of time to decide..just wondering what images they conjure and honest opinions on each.

Lydia
Abigail
Natalie
Naomi
Cady
Ramona
Nancy
Melody

There’s Nancy in Oliver Twist too.

I just don’t know any real life Nancys.

Lydia working class?

@Fmltimesathousand , well those Bennetts weren't exactly people like us, were they?

Nancy & Cady sound like the most working class names on the list

No WC person is going to call their kid (a) Nancy.

Personally know 3 WC Lydias. Could be both WC & MC, kinda like Linda.

True of classic names, but can't get away from heritage, so how would Asians, Africans, East Europeans etc have neutral names? The surname would always give it away even if first name is William or Charlotte.

ChatGPT’s two cents:

Typically Associated with Middle Class

Lydia – Has a literary, classic feel (e.g. Pride and Prejudice), often associated with middle-class families.
Abigail – Traditional, Biblical, and has been widely popular among middle-class parents, especially in Christian circles.
Naomi – Another Biblical name, often associated with more educated or middle-class families.
Ramona – Less common, slightly bohemian or intellectual—might be seen among middle-class or upper-middle-class families seeking unique names.

More Common in Working-Class or Lower Middle-Class Contexts

Natalie – Popular across classes but had a particular surge in working-class areas in the ’80s and ’90s.
Nancy – Once upper-class, but in modern usage, often seen in working-class or nostalgic/traditional settings.
Melody – A modern, slightly sentimental name that has seen more working-class use in recent decades.

Ambiguous or Context-Dependent

Cady – Quite rare in the UK. Could be seen as a creative spelling of Katie or Cadie, which are often working-class, but the spelling may give it a more Americanised, middle-class “quirky” feel

True, but we were only talking about first names. Surnames can even be an indication of social class as well as heritage (ie. if your surname is Anstruther-Gough- Calthorpe we can probably guess your social class). And people are often less open to changing their surnames as they are a link to your family.

It’s obviously up to parents whether they want the same thing for first names. I completely understand why people might choose first names true to their heritage for their children, wherever those children grow up.

But personally even if my surname indicated my child’s heritage or social class (more out of my control), I’d still prefer to give them a “classic” first name in the UK- it’s the name they are likely to be called most often after all, and I think in terms of spelling, pronunciation, people making assumptions etc that it can make for an easier life.

Why would anyone WANT to hide their heritage? Why are people so averse to using names that reflect a family’s background?

Because in recent years Britain has become an increasingly scary, racist place, and discrimination is real.

@Reddelilah , Have you not heard of prejudice, racism, antisemitism etc?

Definitely- even if you are of Caucasian appearance. I’m mixed heritage and my Grandparents had to change our German surname because of hassle. My parent was grateful for the change and for the classic, internationally used first name they gave him - and I’m glad my parents did the same for me.

My Kenyan and Japanese relatives have it even harder because their names and skin colour don’t fit here - but even with my Caucasian skin tone, I’ve had people being racist to me because I wasn’t born here in Wales (I’ve even been told I don’t have the right to speak about Wales though I’ve lived here most of my life - I don’t know if it’s my German heritage or my Romanian one that upsets and can make people show their true colours once they find out). But at least my name in RL makes it easy to blend in if I want to.

You really can't think why, or do you live in a bubble?

Lydia - middle
Abigail - middle
Natalie - working
Naomi - working
Cady - working ( or American trailer trash)
Ramona - middle
Nancy - working
Melody - working

But is a bit ridiculous that I can think like that at all really.

No, I honestly don’t understand why you’d want to hide your heritage. Many employers actively look for speakers of my native language and I feel proud rather than ashamed. I certainly would not want to ‘hide’ it and pretend to be English!

I know kids with most of those names from WC and MC backgrounds so mine scream anything to me.

If you work, you’re working class.

@StMarie4me , that is not correct.

work·ing class
[ˌwəːkɪŋ ˈklɑːs]
noun
the social group consisting primarily of people who are employed in unskilled or semi-skilled manual or industrial work:

Working class - Wikipedia

I adore Ramona and wanted to use it for DD but DH commented it sounded like the name of a rollerskating waitress in a Texan drive-in, and I had to agree.

To me Lydia is a pretty posh name and a definite step posher than anything else on that list.

I'm surprised so many people think Melody is working class, the only one I ever met was pretty solidly MC.

Ramona and Cady to me are American so British social class doesn't really apply?

As already said by previous posters, racism and antisemitism are great examples.

It's not as simple as being ashamed.

Maybe try looking at the names in a different way. If you were choosing a conveyancing solicitor from this list, identical experience and fees, who would you choose? Who sounds like they'd do a good job? Who sounds like they might be unreliable?

This is an interesting idea.

Oddly my favourite of that list - Lydia- sounds the least like a competent conveyancing solicitor.🤣

I know a Lydia who is an architect in a big practice, so probably a Lydia could work in any profession.