Predicting a name trend

[christabell]

Hi I have one dd and thinking about ttc again soon! With my dd I have had the (apparently common!) experience of choosing a name I loved then realising it is actually quite popular. Growing up I knew one person with this name, and thought it was lovely and different, but, while still lovely, for my daughter's generation it will not be that unusual.

I imagine that for someone like me born in the seventies being called Ruby (not dd's name, just an example) would be pretty cool, whereas for babies now it will be the equivalent of being called Claire or Emma.

So, is anyone able to predict what is likely to become popular for babies in 20 or 30 years time, or will it be names like Linda or Darren that we would probably balk at using now (no offence to any with Lindas or Darrens). Are we all inevitably affected by the same zeitgeist? (and does it matter!)

Sorry for long post!

It's a bit of a holy grail, isn't it? We all want to find that one name that's beautiful, not too out there but, at the same time, feels very special and is unique to our dc. Not much to ask for. I think it's inevitable - 6 months ago I thought I was incredibly original to be thinking about a Farrow and Ball pigeon grey kitchen - now every bugger's got one. It seems a shame to go for a name that you're not keen on in an attempt to buck a trend. Names will always be tied in to generations, some more than others, and I think we just have to go with that.

I thought Mabel would become really popular, but it hasn't. A lot of names have 'bel' in them now, and May is a popular sound too.

I think Dulcie is the next Esme. I like the name Esme btw. But I think Esme had that slight smell- of- wee chic (to coin a phrase I read here earlier today!) about ten years ago and Dulcie has that NOW.

Do you like the names Jillian, Melanie or Lindsay? I think they are all pretty names which aren't used at all. A baby Jillian or Melanie would be the only one in her school. Although, it might become popular again when she was about 25.

I think I'm alone here, but I like the name Valerie. That is a pretty name which wouldn't double up in a school.

lol at 'smell-of-wee-chic'

I quite like Esme, and Dulcie so maybe I am just living my demographic. While can see Jillian and Lindsay are aesthetically pleasing cannot get over fact I was at school with loads. Don't like Melanie, it has always made me think of melons!

v names - quite like Vivienne, not so keen on Valerie.

Perhaps will be names of our parents' generation rather than ours that make a comeback next - Janice, Shirley, Muriel....

If I meet an Emma or Claire I don't think anything of it. So if something turns out to be "the equivalent of Claire or Emma" I don't think there's a problem.

read freakonomics - interesting ideas in there about predicting name trends - IIRC it argues that names which are considered middle class become much more popular in future as people choose them aspirationally, iyswim. someone else can probably explain it better, but I think this has happened with Ruby and Ava

Christabel, that's right I guess. Just a decade and a half behind smell-of-wee-chic, you have bridge chic. or bowls chic for boys' names!

I like names like Belinda, Maggie, Miriam, Marianne, Mary, Victor, Howard, Donald

Like bridge chic - or maybe golf chic?

ozmetric, I don't think there is anything wrong with the names Emma and Claire, they are both perfectly nice names - was just using as example of names that are quite ubiquitous for my generation.

Some names are just so usual they get boring, I think...and nobody wants to be boring, really.
Diversity is nicer than sameness and keeping to the safer options.
But not at the expense of using nice names!

s1 has a really nice, still very unusual name for his generation...I have been waiting for it to come back in but it hasn't yet and he's nearly 7. Weird...but maybe it will soon.

Ds2 has a rare name but I like it a lot and people can usually spell it.

You have to go with what resonates for you, what you like, what is easy to say and to shorten if need be.

All you really need is confidence in your child's name.

It's generational.

Our children are probably going to resurrect Keith and Derek.

that's terrifying.

It's clear on some grandparents' faces just how much they do not relate to the names of their grandchildren.

Keith.

It is officially the worst name ever isn't it? I mean, a Brian, a Derek, a Janet I could take. But Keith is just so whingey sounding. Keeeeeeeeth. (said all nasally)

Or Graham!

I love Prinpo's comparison with F&B colours - it's so true - like the late 90s 'shaker blue' kitchen (which, reader, I installed).

Funnily enough Esme became cultishly popular in Newcastle in the early -mid 90s - friend had a DD and was quite put out when there were two others at primary school. Ahead of the trend I suppose. There are definite cycles - Clare now possibly coming back in, at least as a mn as a reaction to just too many Grace/Rose/Maes. I personally rather like 50s 'posh' names at the moment - Belinda, Pamela, Sally and yes Valerie. But I just chose family names for my DDs.

Brian? Are you serious?!

I think The Office also did for Keith...

Yes my Mother reacted to some of my suggestions as though they were Brian/Rodger/Derek (3 of the ugliest most awful names I can think of, and I really hope that my future grandchildren get better names!). I ran Stella, Greta, Victor and Howard past my mother (just thinking out loud) and she was unable to contain her revulsion.

I think this has always happened. I remember my mum saying that when she chose my name (Victoria) she considered it quite unusual for the time, only to find lots of others.

My dad is called Keith and I've always wondered how my grandparents can have looked at a tiny newborn baby and thought "aaah, let's call him Keith".

I don't understand why the name Keith is considered so awful! I wouldn't choose it, but it is a one syllable name which is the norm now really. Max, Jack, Ben..... keith !!

bellisima why do you think Pamela was a "posh" name in the 1950s? It was one of many very popular names along with Christine, Susan, Janet, Margaret, Elizabeth, Linda, Anne etc etc

No, Trevor. That is the worst name. Although it really suits my friends cat.

And Arthur. I DON'T care how popular it is becoming. I'm making a solid stand against it (apologies to all those who have named their lo's Arthur).

Is Eric on the up?