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

Lydia - could be anything but prob wc
Abigail - wc, but dated
Natalie - wc
Naomi - wc + religious. Older Naomi’s posher
Cady - only met and she was mc / uc
Ramona - not from uk
Nancy - wc ( Oliver Twist prostitute).
Melody - wc

People both foreign names are proven to have less success on job applications

Thing is, most of us go by where we've come across those names.

Both Lydia and Melody are WC to me based on those I know.

The only Melody I know was WC and also a wannabe thug, but appreciate some of these names can be both.

Kinda like Alexa and Karen, good names which have been somewhat tainted by association.

What is a foreign name? A lot of GB residents have Irish surnames and seem to be holding their own. A lot of job applications are anonymous in big companies.

Architect I can see! It has made me realise I think Lydia has a a certain arty vibe.

Matbe slso I have had my concept of it shaped by Jane Austen: Lydia for me likes a party!

I think the negative associations can work both ways. Like how Oxbridge unis may favour a state school student over a privately educated one, even if their grades are identical. If you see professionals or doctors etc with very stereotypically ‘working-class’ names it could be seen as more impressive, they’ve obviously worked extremely hard, they must have talent/resilience/skill/work ethic and be genuinely cut out and suited to that job. Whereas a stereotypical posh ‘private school’ name could make you think the opposite.

However, I don’t find any of the names on that list one particular way or another. Plus posters seem to all have different associations with each name 😅

I made the mistake of sharing my ancestry DNA results with some colleagues at work and the brief look of horror on their faces when they saw I had Jewish heritage, before they managed to hide it, made me realise it’s probably best to hide my heritage.

@Stepfordian, What is a 'posh private school name'?

If you were looking for a solicitor and had a choice of Sebastian Smith or Rio-Kyle Smith, would you think, 'Wow, Rio-Kyle for sure, he must have worked really hard, against all odds, to get where he is today'?

I'd think 'What were his parents thinking?.

I don't think that Oxbridge admissions look at the name and think one name is more working class than the other. They probably base it on factors like which school.

Yes I think people do have different associations - mostly because we are very influenced by individual uses of the names in people we have met, books we have read etc. This shapes our very own catalogue of associations.

I had always thought of the name Rory as very Wc but now know a couple of very Mc ( actually quite aspiring -posh) families who have used it. It still surprises me when I hear them talk about him but there you go. They aren’t the type of people not to have considered this and in fact would have fixated on it. People just have different takes. It’s interesting to be aware of other views on a name, but ultimately we are all free to go with what we love.

My mum refers to “ supermarket” or “ shopping mall” names.

These are names she has heard or imagines hearing being shouted in a supermarket, as “ xxxx, get down off that bleedin’ shelf before I whack ya.”

Posh private school names overlap with labradors...Hugo, Milo, Freddie. Although most of the boys near us who go to private schools seem to be called Jack. The girls I know are Molly, Zara, Bex, Lillie and Lulu.
I am not in the UK.

Is the school called The Jackademy?

Yes I think some people would be more attracted to a name that suggests WC roots for a number of reasons.

And I agree Oxbridge look at schools not names, I just meant it as an example of attitudes towards working-class backgrounds and how it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just that the ‘discrimination’ can work both ways and being obviously privileged can work against you as well. Maybe those suggesting ‘neutral’ names that aren’t obviously middle-class OR working-class are best have a point!

That's just it. If you see the name Sarah, you probably think something like age group. You see Lexxii-Kait, you think 'Oh blimey!'

I don’t think you meant to @ me

@wehavea2319 , What is a 'posh private school name'?
If you were looking for a solicitor and had a choice of Sebastian Smith or Rio-Kyle Smith, would you think, 'Wow, Rio-Kyle for sure, he must have worked really hard, against all odds, to get where he is today'?
I'd think 'What were his parents thinking?.
I don't think that Oxbridge admissions look at the name and think one name is more working class than the other. They probably base it on factors like which school.

@Stepfordian , corrected.

I think Natalie and Naomi are a bit dated, I'm in my 30s and know a few and not sure they've made a comeback yet. Cady a bit American. The rest are absolutely fine and could be any class.
Melody is Ariel's daughter in a little mermaid 2.

All working class with the exception of Ramona as Latino so unknown

Hmm, I'd agree with Nancy but I think Lydia and Melody are definitely WC.

I think Naomi is the only other MC name on your list.