'plain' names?

[tummytickler]

I am finding myself drawn towards plain names again.
I am currently considering

Mary
Jean
Anne

What do you think - do you know many under 5, aer they going to get very popular?

What other plain names could I like?

I feel under pressure to come up with something a bit different, but I am liking these instead!
We like Joan, but it is too close to dh's name

I have two DSs with mega plain names, and we are thinking about Mary for no3 if she's a girl.

DS1 is 5 and his name, though v v popular in the past, is still the only child we know with the name. I don't know any Marys Joans Jeans or Annes under the age of about 60.

Is it a girl you're having? I also like Susan and Helen.

jane

Rose
Laura

Claire
Kate

sarah
amy
ruth
lucy

• some mentioned already.

Dawn
Elle
Susan
Ruth
Mabel
Marie
Rachel
Amber
May
Pearl
June
Joy
Sally
Anna
Sadie
Emm a
Faith
Nina
Ivy
Chloe
Kay
Kim
Lynne
Fleur
Gail
Maud
Mia

One of my good friend's mum is called Jean, her twin sister is Anne. She hates the name.

When friend was 15 her mum changed her name - she is now called Jenny. Trouble is my friend is called Jennifer!

Jane
Susan
Catherine
Anne
Louise

Not keen on Jean personally. A bit stern, plain, school marmy IMO. I also had a teacher who had black wiry leg hair that used to poke through her American tan tights with this first name which puts me off further .

Anne is a bit worthy, dated and plain IMO. But it's ok I suppose.

Prefer Mary of the three.

None of these simple/classic names seem to have been used much as a first name recently:

Louise
May
Sarah - probably used a bit more
Catherine - as above
Helen - I am really drawn to this one atm.

Just to add, Julia, Penelope, Antonia and Dorothy but these may be at the flowery end of plain, traditional and simple?

Sorry, I meant to put 'Anna' not 'Anne'.

I like Mary and no a lovely little girl call this.
What about Rose as an alternative?

I know what you mean. I think a Jane would really stand out now. amongst the Octavias and Aurelias ..

most names are the middle ground though, to be fair!

I love Joy, Jane, Annie, Ellen.

From your list I like Jeannie but not Jean. That's a little too plain. Anne is just incomplete. It needs either an eee or an 'a' on the end. Mary I can see its appeal but I wouldn't use it. I lvoe marianne thoguh

LidoFabiro's list is lovely.

Oh, Joy is gorgeous, and you never hear it being used anymore.

Lidofabiro - you got my dd's name in that list!
I love Susan. Sally, Joy, Nina.
Magalyzz - I prefer Annie to Anne, but seems a bit nicknamey for an official name. Ellen is pretty.

I had a bit of a name crush on Joy a little while back and forgot all about it - I may have to reinstate it!
Thanks everyone!

Great taste!

Only one I'm not so keen on is Anne, prefer Anna.

Oh, what lovely names!
I love Jean.

When my mum was born and they decided to call her Jane, my maternal grandmother disapproved as it was 'a maid's name'. Yes, she was top drawer! Most of the ones suggested count as 'maids' names' I reckon... not that there is anything wrong with that I hasten to add.

To milk, it's well known that the 'below stairs' names of yesteryear become the middle class choice in time.

Hence the Chardonnay-Maes of today will be the choice of the elite tomorrow.

Another plain name I quite like is Samantha.

Is your maternal grandmother not your mum's mother?

"Hence the Chardonnay-Maes of today will be the choice of the elite tomorrow."

really?

I love Jean, but can't use any J names myself.

It has an air of vintage hollywood glamour about it.

Also know a fantastically talented Jean.

dont do it. My name's here. I hate it.