Tell me what your name is without telling me what your name is

[BatsatHalloween]

My name has a male and female variant
It was number 36 the year I was given it
It was acceptable in the 80s
It's a bit French
It's also a little bit Essex
Most people shorten it

Penelope?

Ooh… this is fun.

Don’t think mine has come up.

Uncommon without being unusual. I was the only one at my school (born in the 70s).

Lots of different ways to spell it. Also a boy’s name (now deeply unfashionable).

Think of a scarlet film star. Or a pretty woman.

It was going to be Jenny for a girl or Jeremy for a boy but she thought the name Jeremy was lovely and couldn’t quit it. She’s a bit quirky and crossed her fingers I wouldn’t hate her for it lol.

Vivian?

Vivian/Vivien!

I love the name Diana, never sure why it’s not more widely used.

Ashleigh? Ashley?

Yes, that's right!

Good effort but no.

i’ve only ever met one person who was christened the other nickname.

natasha

Yes!

And thank you, but growing up with Penny Lane, Penny Lover, Bad Penny, Pennies from Heaven, Tuppence, Penelope Pitstop, Henny Penny, being asked if my uncle was Inspector Gadget etc, I would have preferred Prudence 🤦‍♀️

Yes, correct!

Roberta

Lee?

Yes! Too easy. Although I am a Vivienne.

Yes. I am aware that my username probably also gave it away 😂

Ohh I finally got one right! Woot!

I’m trying to think of non immediately obvious clues and finding it quite difficult!
It is a nature name.
It is quite attached to a particular time of year.
There are several other women’s names that rhyme with my name.
I share it with a well known tv presenter

Dee?

Levi

Chisel y

Holly?

Christina
Chris
Chrissy
Tina

Better than my first thought which was Wrangler

Yep!