Beyond Sequoia and Halcyon - the latest in an occasional public information series. Names that probably nobody else in the school will have, but won't make people say "I beg your pardon? I dodn't quite catch that"

[seeker]

Deborah
Daphne
Richenda
Prudence
Felicity
Michaela
Iris
Belinda
Susan

Nigel
Douglas
Col in (or Corin)
Kenneth
Gideon
Mark
Paul
Sean
Rupert - OK maybe not Rupert!
Clement
Alan

Ah, shneebly, are you in Scotland? I may have to do regional lists!

They might raise their eyebrows at Richenda, but it's a proper name that's been around for centuries and can't (I don't think) be mispronounced.

Just thought of Barbara and Lorraine.

Richenda makes me think of the Chalet School.

Clement.

I knew a lovely old man called Clem.

Might put it on my list for future DS.

That's were I got it from, Llareggub. I'm saving Eustacia, Emerence and Blossom for future threads!

I have a Timothy and he is the only one in his (big) school.

I wanted all of my DSs to be Clement but DH put a veto on it

I couldn't put Timothy on the list because there's one at Ds's trampolining class. But that's only on e in my 2000 strong sample.

Donnie is so cool I am in awe.

seeker, Sequoia is a cherokee indian girls name meaning little sparrow as well as the name for the only tree in its genus called Sequoia, one of the most ancient and long lived trees, my cherokee friend is called Sequoia, and in english she is known as long lived little sparrow, I think it is a great name.
being pedantic, yosemite is a very rare native american boys name too, it means grizzly (as in grizzly bear)

Wonderful names - so long as you're a Cherokee! I am so jealous of you having cherokee friends.

ooo, so excited, my 8 week old is mark. Don't tell me i have struck "rare normal name" gold!!

Mary

dd seems to be the only Daisy for miles!

I have a Stirling aged 7, but have recently met a 2 yr old one and know a baby in somerset was named it a few weks after ds2 (his biryh annoucement inspired? could be I guess)

I do like Gideon, said that to dh t'other day actually. But definitely not richenda- never heard of it

Well done rempy!

Lots of Daisys round here, I'm afraid - 7 in my sample population!

Dammit, we're common after all! We live in Wales which might explain it.

Actually we live in Wales and I've never encountered a DAisy though knew loads in Somerset

funny that

there are very strong regional variations I think- not a single chole in either infants or juniors for example

I wanted Miranda for dd, but dh barred it on the grounds of being shortened to Randy...

seeker, I came across several other sequoia's in america when over there, one was a rather gorgeous blond, who was named after my cherokee friend but thats another story!!
can I make you more jealous by saying I also have some sioux friends and a chickasaw friend too????

I have only read OP and jsut want to saw - Richenda???? Of course people will say "I did not quite catch that, what did you say?"

I am all for clasic names but some of these are just ugly. There is a reason that Colin is no longer heard...

What about David?

Ds is the only David in his school which has over 500 kids.

that is srange about colin then. I have 4 colins that live near to me which gets confusing sometimes and my infant school going son has 3 colins in his class of 22 kids, I thought that colin was becoming quite common!!

Interesting. So why is Colin ugly and Stanley (for example) cool, hip and trendy? Why are lots of little girls called Ruby but I've never heard of a Beryl under 60?

David i think is because its still paretal generation

I have 2 Uncle Daves, a cousin dave, and a BIL Dave

I can think of 3 mates of Dh called Dave straight off!

A name needs to go to either grandparent level to regain popularity; then it seems quirky or old fashioned.

I know no Stan's, Alfies, AHrold's etc in my generation (not even a Jack or a Harry) but plenty in my Grandad's age group

Ok, I'll throw this into this mix. I read somewhere that part of becoming a parent is to set aside the more ego driven part of your personality that woud lead you to obsess about how unusual your childs name is.

Not saying if I agree or disagree but its a thought.

I know a Paul and an Iris - both under 5.

I rather suspect that our children's children may be called Brenda, Colin etc.

Belinda is a lovely name IMO. I knew two, years ago, both will be in their 30's now.