What is your name and do you like it?

[Dyoulikeyourname]

Inspired by the thread asking if people don't like their names. As someone trying to choose a name for our upcoming baby, it would be so useful to know what type of names people tend to like throughout life and which they hate and why etc. I was surprised on the other thread that so many people disliked having a popular name!

I realise this is very outing if your name is very unusual so you may not want to say it. I've obviously name changed. I'll go first!

Nicola (nickname Nicky) I'm a mid 80s baby so Nicola was still popular amongst my peers but not overly so. It was even more popular in the 70s. There was a couple of others in my year at school. I didn't hate my name but I would have preferred a more girly name when I was younger. I didn't like that Nicola is a boys name in other parts of Europe.
The vast majority of Nicolas are my age or older which is slightly ageing, so I'm wary of that when choosing my own kids names. I MUCH prefer Nicky and I'm glad I have a nickname option.
Overall I'm fine with it and can't imagine changing it but I'd probably choose something different for myself.

My name is Joanne, very popular in my school year, there were four in my class and I work with three.
It’s a pretty boring name, I’d prefer Joanna.
My son’s name is Harry, he said he likes it. I’ve just asked his mate who is here now and he said he hates his name, he is called Bertie, they’re in their twenties.

I’ve adored every Nicola/Nicky I’ve ever met. Genuinely cannot think of a single Nicola that I haven’t liked.

My name is Amy, I always thought it was quite a plain name when I was younger, but I’ve grown to really like it and think it suits me

My name is Caroline. I’m an early 80’s baby.
I’ve always liked it.
hated it getting shortened to Caz and nipped that in the bud when I was a youngster.
I like the fact it’s normal and there are other Caroline’s , but it’s not super popular in my years. Maybe 1 or 2 others in the year above.
I don’t know any Caroline’s younger than me, so it was probably fading out of popularity by the 80’s.

im pleased to see it pop up on Mumsnet as a suggestion for baby names now. It always gets a positive response!

My name is Naomi and yes I like it as long as it's pronounced properly. I've only ever met one other Naomi in person although I don't think it's very unusual.

Do you remember Big Brother One when Craig The Scouse Builder (and eventual winner) always unintentionally and without knowing, pronounced it "Calorine" every time? 😁

Jennifer, and yes, I love it!

Donna. I like it. Early 70s baby. Dads landlady for work at the time had a daughter called Donnella and he suggested that. Mam chose Donna. Knew 1 same age as me through middle school. None in high school. Kids started school and in 1 daughters class, 4 mothers had the name! 2 of my oldest dearest friends and 1 nephew call me D... but no one else does.

Early 50s… Rebecca… I love it.
I get called Becca, Becs which I don’t mind….
But absolutely hate Becky!
I correct anyone who calls me that.

I have a very uncommon name. I don’t know if I like it or not! I’ve spent 60 years having to spell it (and my last name!) which is getting tedious. Also people only tend to know one person called my name so I stand out. Something I’m not entirely comfortable with.

My name is Esther but everyone calls me Essie.

I didn't like Esther as a kid but it's grown on me.
I do feel my name is Essie rather than Esther though.

Roisin is my name, I love and hate it !

I’m a Nicola!

Never a Nicky but always a Nic which I don’t mind at all.

Mine is Kathryn, and yes I like it. Mainly due to the spelling, don’t like Catherine

I was named after the town where I was conceived - my parents were on holiday at the time. It is not in the UK and not a tourist resort so the only people that I have ever found recognising it are from the country it is in. They find it very funny - I suppose it's the equivalent of calling your daughter "Bradford" or "Milton Keynes".
Anyhow I love my name and have not yet met another person called the same.

I'm a Rebecca, born in the late 1970s when it seems as though Rebecca was a popular choice of name in some regions of the UK. I didn't meet another Rebecca until I was 12 and we moved 150 miles. I met two Rebeccas on the bus to school which was unexpected!

Do I like my name? Yes. I like that it's recognisable and that there are multiple short versions. I've spent the past 48 years spelling it which is mildly annoying as is the fact people don't always realise Rebecca and Rachel are different names and use them interchangeably.

My children have names that are recognisable and have multiple short versions too.

Lara and I like it a lot.

I know a Lara and she is an amazing strong wonderful lady .

Natalie and yes I like it - born late ‘79 and it seems like a bit of a timeless classic. I was named after Natalie Wood.

Elizabeth but usually Liz
Yes I like it

I'm Alison (Ali to many friends). Born 1980. The name was much more popular in Scotland (where I was born) than England, but it peaked a good decade or so before I was born so most Alisons are my age or a bit older. I do sometimes have my name misspelt (Allison, Allyson) but overall I like it. I've never felt embarrassed introducing myself and I think it's served me well both as a child and adult. And I like having a more formal name (which I use in work and when I first meet people) and the option of shortening it (which my close friends and some family do).

I have friends called many of the names already mentioned - Donna, Nicola, Joanna so I think positively about all of them.

I am fairly fond of all my names. I hated my maiden name but would never tell my family that. I didn't always like my first name (Rachael) and did a small trial of using my first middle name (Amelia) but by the end I decided i actually quite like my first name so reverted back. My second middle name is Lucy and that was put in just so my initials didn't spell RAW.

Jimberley and I love it. So many options. Cute shortened to Jimi, yet Jimberley has more gravitas now I'm a high-flying High Court Judge.

Seems like most people like their names so far!

Alexandra - although no one calls me that in daily life I still love it

Stephanie I can just about cope with but I hate Steph with a passion. I wis I had nice short name like Jane.