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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Which names are surprisingly uncommon/unpopular?

86 replies

Cortina · 25/09/2009 12:03

Just musing after pondering Christabel.

Thinking of:

Sacha/Sasha
Mirabel
Clarissa
Angus
Susannah
Julia
Mark (don't know of any who are not 30 plus)
John (just getting popular again)
Louise/Louisa
Flora

Must be more!

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Persephoponce · 25/09/2009 12:07

Flora I'd debate. I know two under five.

Laura is less common these days, and a name I love.

bellissima · 25/09/2009 12:07

Susan, Jane, Peter, Paul, Colin, Trevor, Keith, Kevin, Wendy, Nicola, Gillian, Sandra, Deborah, Michelle, Karen, Sarah-Jane, Angela, Christine

ie lots of 60s and 70s names. If you really want 'different' names call your children Janet and John. Or Peter and Jane

bellissima · 25/09/2009 12:09

Know several Susannahs of all ages though. And a baby Julia (but not Julie).

Cortina · 25/09/2009 12:10

I know quite a few Peters under 10.

I can see why people might steer away from Colin so maybe not surprisingly unpopular? Ditto Keith and Kevin.

Now in the seventies Janes were two a penny don't think I have ever come across a Jane under 10.

I read somewhere that 'nice' 50s names are due a revival but not sure what these are?

OP posts:
bargainhuntingbetty · 25/09/2009 12:12

Beverly and Vincent

cyteen · 25/09/2009 12:13

Simon
Paul

bellissima · 25/09/2009 12:14

'Nice' 50s names - Pamela? Belinda? Angela? Tina? - sort of names you would get in a 50s boarding school story maybe?

MrsVik · 25/09/2009 12:38

I always think that my name - Victoria - is quite underused. I love it!

Definitely agree with regards to Angela. I also always liked the name Fiona - don't come across many nowadays.

hf128219 · 25/09/2009 12:42

I am one!

LadyoftheBathtub · 25/09/2009 12:45

Yes you never hear of a baby Simon!

I often think Sharon would be a lovely name if it weren't for the common associations it's acquired. You don't get baby Sharons now! But if it came along out of the blue and no one had ever heard of it, I bet people would love it.

Cortina · 25/09/2009 12:47

I've heard of a baby Anne recently. Sarah-Jane seems to have died a death. I quite Alison too and that seems unheard of these days? Is Madison its latter day replacement?

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Sunshinemambo · 25/09/2009 12:49

I know a few Angus's and I also know someone who wants to name her next baby Vince.

70s names definitely unpopular. Ian was a very popular name (and I meet lots of them at work, apparently most Ians went into project management) but not a name you hear for babies.

Also in my year at school there was lots of Andreas, Carolines and Gaynors. Not names you hear these days.

cyteen · 25/09/2009 12:51

Melissa doesn't come up much anymore.

Botbot · 25/09/2009 12:55

I love Anne (mainly because of Anne of Green Gables) but couldn't use it because surname begins with N.

I'm always surprised that Mary isn't more popular. One of the timeless classics. Elizabeth still gets used a lot - why not Mary?

Sidge · 25/09/2009 12:59

You don't see many of:

Graham
Derek
Alan
Brian
Joanne
Lisa
Alison
Louise
Tracy

All these are names that seem quite 60s/70s to me.

Cortina · 25/09/2009 13:00

Wasn't there a young girl Mary in a mainstream v popular movie a while back? (that had a sequel I think)? More common in US?

Helen seems used fairly rarely too these days?

Quite like Melissa wasn't that about in the 80s?

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happywomble · 25/09/2009 13:52

Other names I remember from the 70s that aren't v. popular now:

Karen, Peter, Philip, Sarah, Gail, stuart, Laura, Stephen, David, Samantha, Amanda, Jennifer, sally

Cortina · 25/09/2009 14:00

Sarah/Sara are so classic I am surprised they seem to have gone out of fashion. Mind you Zara has probably replaced?

I know a few Phillips under 6.

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FimboFortunaFeet · 25/09/2009 14:07

Children I know of a similar age to my dd (11) and ds (6) whose names I consider old fashioned.

Mary-Anne
Mark x 2
Andrew
Claire
Peter
Nicola
David

I wanted Gillian or Jennifer for a girl but had a ds, dh wasn't keen.

Someone else mentioned Gaynor, I think it is due a revival. It is also my bf's sister's name.

brimfull · 25/09/2009 14:10

Michael
I know one young boy.

I love the name

brimfull · 25/09/2009 14:11

John

Claire

Cortina · 25/09/2009 14:12

Not keen on Gaynor. Like Peter, Mark, Andrew, Claire. I guess a Claire would stand out in a reception class these days.

OP posts:
bodeniites · 25/09/2009 14:27

i love Michael

navyeyelasH · 25/09/2009 14:28

I'm a Hayley and don't know any others!

HeadFairy · 25/09/2009 14:28

Cortina - There's something about Mary?