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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Alison - can I make it cool again?

47 replies

emmyloo2 · 25/05/2010 14:55

I am contemplating adding Alison to my name list. Main reason is it is the name of a very close aunt who died of breast cancer some years ago. My mother was one of 5 girls who all had quite traditional names: Grace, Catherine, Marion, Joanne and Alison. I can't use Grace (my sister wants to use it and I promised her years ago she could have it). Marion is my Mum's name. Catherine I like but Catherine is my b-in-law's girlfriend's name and so I don't want to use it.

My aunty who was very close to my Mum was always known as Ally.

I never thought I would go for such an "untrendy" name. It's a bit like Jennifer, or Sarah or Danielle or something. Names of my generation but not names you hear now.

Can I bring it back do you reckon? Is it so unpopular that it's almost cool?

p.s. - the nickname would be Ally after my aunty.

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zozzle · 28/05/2010 17:14

Not bad - definitely a change from all the Olivias, Amelias, Isabelles round here

Leapoffaith · 28/05/2010 18:34

Love it! And your reasons. I'm pregnant and also considering names that are perfectly lovely but not the current trend eg Alison, linda, Sarah etc.

Alice, grace, poppy etc are nice names but I know several children with each name and that isn't what I want.

Alison will stand out but isn't like calling your baby rainbow or one of those deliberately far out names that is chosen purely to stand out!

cupofteaplease · 28/05/2010 20:54

On eof my best friends is called Alison, as is my lovely ex childminder. I also know a 5 year old Alison- it really suits her !

Sometimes her parents shorten it to Ali.

Hth

A1980 · 29/05/2010 22:19

When was Alison ever not cool?

I like that name!

asdx2 · 29/05/2010 22:23

Lovely name, I like it a lot

harpsichordcarrier · 29/05/2010 22:27

yeah I think it's a cool name and not at all WET or middle-aged
It shortens well, too.
There are a few in their teenage years.

halfawake · 30/05/2010 00:47

I really like it, I know some great Alisons, so that is probably why :D I think you should go for it!

imahappycamper · 30/05/2010 16:06

Good choice. If you like it, use it.

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 13/02/2013 05:09

Hah! I just found this old post of mine from when I was naming DS1. Of course I didn't realise I was having a boy at the time of this post.

Now naming DD due in May and have added Alison back on the list. I don't think it has shot up the popularity lists in the last 3 years!

I still love it and we may use it for this baby...

What does everyone think? As someone said above, she will be the only one in her class, that's for sure.

OP posts:

MidnightMasquerader · 13/02/2013 07:37

Yes, go for it.

DS has a male equivalent name - actually, it's almost an opposite scenario. He is named after DH's uncle who died relatively young and who DH and his Dad were very close to.

The name is very out of vogue now, probably more so than Alison. But the nn is great, and at the moment (aged 4) that's all he's known as.

It makes such a nice change from all the Jacks, Olivers, Harrys and Charlies out there - he is the only one with his name! Plus, by the time he hits his prime, the name will no doubt be back in. That happened to me - my name was disastrously old-lady when I was given it in the 70s and now I'm in my 30s, you can't move for small girls with it (Isobel).

You won't regret it - Ally/Alison will carry her though childhood and adulthood. :)

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 13/02/2013 08:03

Thanks Midnight. That's a great perspective.

Isobel is of course a gorgeous name, and one I would have on my list but for it's popularity. So if I name my daughter Alison, in 2030 it will probably be top of the list again and she will have an in-vogue name!

It's really the family connection for me. The five sisters were very close and we were all very close growing up. It was devastating for my mother to lose her sister and then a second sister from breast cancer. So the name would be Alison Catherine after both sisters. It would absolutely mean the world to my cousins (the daughters of my aunts).

OP posts:

OddBoots · 13/02/2013 08:09

Alison is a lovely name, it's a classic so it doesn't need to be cool.

EssieW · 13/02/2013 08:09

Like Alison a lot. Feels like a strong name to me but still with a bit of femininity about it.

I have an Alice. Alice is getting a lot more popular so Alison would be better from that point of view.

nancerama · 13/02/2013 08:09

Do it! My name was quite popular amongst my parent's peers and is growing in popularity now, but was decidedly unfashionable when I was growing up.

I hated my name for a couple of years as a child - mostly because you couldn't buy plastic tat with my name printed on it, but I love it now and I love not having to tell people which one of me I am when there are several at the same workplace.

HestonsFatCock · 13/02/2013 08:15

Alison is cool: listen to The Pixies song "Alison".

Congratulations OP.

gazzalw · 13/02/2013 08:30

Some of the loveliest people we've known have been called Alison but have to say I wouldn't say it's a cool name.

But I think it's fantastic that you are considering using it to honour the memory of an aunt....

catinboots · 13/02/2013 08:33

I'm an Ally

(not an Alison)

IMHO it's a very cool name

farmersdaugther · 13/02/2013 09:12

I don't like Alison but I LOVE LOVE Ally.

I have several friends called Alison (age 30/40's) and haven't met any younger Alison and for that reason I think it would be a great choice as its no common and have a special meaning to you and your family.

poppydaisy · 13/02/2013 11:16

Alison is a great name. And she probably won't have to share her name with lots of others - great choice!

FelicityWasCold · 13/02/2013 11:22

It's a great name! Do it!

Sashapineapple · 13/02/2013 12:55

I really like it, great name. Just another thought, have you mentioned to your cousins you want to use it? Just thinking if the daughters of your Aunt Alison wanted to use it for any future DD's they might have. It's such a personal name to your family I think I would check with them first, and if they did probably have their Mums name as a middle name instead.

Bue · 13/02/2013 13:37

Alison IS cool! Love this name. This is weird, but my first association is always Lucy and Tom's granny in Lucy and Tom's Christmas :)

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