What are "American" names?

[CheerfulYank]

I've seen that term bandied about a bit and I'm curious.

Is it the whole surname trend thing? I love my country, but I have to admit I'm sick of all the little Parkers/Mackenzies/Carters running around as well as the Ayden/Kayden/Jayden business. So...just curious! And mightily bored. It's 2 in the morning here but am on vacation and can't force myself to sleep yet!

I'd say classically American names include surnames given as first names (eg Hunter, Barclay, Madison), boys' names used as girls' names (eg Reece, Shawn), naming a child after their forefathers (eg Otis Smith III). Otherwise much as UK names.

I agree with duchess, plus for girls double barrelling names( quite often those assumed to be male). For example Billy-Jo, Jamie-Leigh. Or quite down on the farm sounding names such as Daisy-Mae.

Jennifer. The most popular American girls name of all time.

Kinsley
Blakely
Paisley
Kennedy
Kylee
Bailey
Addison
Kayla

Surnamey names, especially for girls. Tyler, Parker, Harper etc.

Brian for anyone under about 50 (I have American friends with a 13 year old Brian and they said it was quite popular in his age group).

Names with Le or La or De at the beginning (and usually nothing particularly French at the end).

Ashley, Jamie or Rory for girls.

The practice of making up entirely original names based on parts of other family members' names smashed together.