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So, which year's names are least appealing to parents naming in 2013

81 replies

JennyEnglish · 15/05/2013 15:26

Is it names that are 50 years old? Or is it less than that? some people were listing names that they couldn't imagine coming back, like Linda and Janet. I don't really dislike those. Jane is nice. Linda is pretty I think.

I think names I'd be really surprised to hear would be Suzanne and Nicola, Martin, Stephen.

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AuntieStella · 15/05/2013 15:29

I think it needs to be more than 50 years. We're not ready for another round of Nigels!

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MadBusLady · 15/05/2013 15:39

Michelle, Jodie, Cheryl and other 80s-tastic ones (but then Cheryl Cole must have some influence?)

And yes, please no more Daves, Britain is full.

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JennyEnglish · 15/05/2013 15:47

Oh yes, Jodie and Cheryl, I'd think I'd misheard if I heard of a baby called Jodie or Cheryl. Not that they're worse than the vast majority of other names, but they'd be unexpected definitely.

The life span of a name can be 25 years, and yet, names that are only 50 years old can sound retro...... (some of them). so, I'm going to say names that were popular 35-40 years ago are the least expected.

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Linguaphile · 15/05/2013 18:07

I think I'd be most horrified if a friend named her baby something really 80s like Amber, Crystal, Tiffany, or Heather.

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forgetmenots · 15/05/2013 19:44

Amber is still popular!

Tiffany, that would be a shocker. Jeanette? Barbara? Janice? Nicola?

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Wouldntyouliketoknow · 15/05/2013 19:56

I think Amber and Heather are still popular-ish (Amber more so).

Anything like Steve, Tracey, Sharon, Martin, Jill, Sue, Dawn.

I suppose names that you can imagine only a 40/50 year-old being called now!

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ClaraOswald · 15/05/2013 19:59

I have heard of a six year old Dennis, a seven year old Keith, a friend has a baby Jodie, I have heard of a newborn Michael and a newborn Robert.

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evamummy · 16/05/2013 10:48

Isn't it a shame that we all choose similar names so they become really popular and associated with a certain era?

Actually, being a little Stephen or Michelle now would be easier than being yet another Jack or Ellie - at least your name would easily identify you!

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monica77798 · 16/05/2013 10:56

I don't think Stephen or Steve is particularly out of touch. But I do agree with Tracey, Linda, Nigel, and Dennis. Maybe add Barbara, Neville, Sylvia, Roger, and Trevor.

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50shadesofvomit · 16/05/2013 10:59

I'd add Graham, Pauline, Cindy and Simon to that list.

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50shadesofvomit · 16/05/2013 10:59

Norman too.

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MolotovCocktail · 16/05/2013 11:05

I can't see Doris, Bertha, Beryl or Norbert coming back ever

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MadBusLady · 16/05/2013 11:11

Sylvia was shooting up the charts last time I looked. Give it another couple of years it'll be top 100 just in time for me to want to use it. Hmm

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rachel234 · 16/05/2013 11:15

The 'least appealing' names to many may be names that they find too widely used (overused) - Jack, Alfie, Ollie, Ellie, Evie, etc.

I actually think that many of these currently untrendy names mentioned here will slowly start to rise in popularity - I know a little Mabel and a Martin.

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notso · 16/05/2013 11:33

I know four Ambers, two Tiffanys and three Heathers under 15.

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thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:37

Does anyone know a baby Marilyn,Valerie or Gloria [all 40's] or a Kenneth, Gordon or Barry?

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Hedwig3 · 16/05/2013 11:45

What Rachel1234 said!

Boys names ending with ie sound
Girls names with el sound in

My eldest wants a baby sister called Valerie! Smile

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 16/05/2013 11:50

Someone I know has just named her baby Scott. It's not so dated as some names but the youngest Scott I've come across is 30ish so it's pretty 80s IME

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JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:50

i HEARd of a baby Gloria.

And actually I think Valerie is very pretty, so if it sounds, or is starting to sound appealing even to some people (or even just me and hedwig's eldest!!) then I'd guess it'll rise.

Marilyn just seems steeped in something artificial and tragic. I don't know. Wouldn't like that. Meryl I like though.

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MadBusLady · 16/05/2013 11:52

Valerie is lovely. Don't like Val though. Pamela is lovely too, but ditto Pam!

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JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:53

Yeh, Madbuslady, I'd skip Sylvia if you're trying to be a little quirky. I seriously considered it for my son and he's 8. (ykwim). But now I think that any name ending in -ia is in keeping with the moment really. Olivia, Celia, Julia, Amelia, they all work now

Sylvester for a boy I can see rising. HONESTLY. I have reasons for predicting this. The next trend with be in line with the re-branding of the catholic churth. Popes name will become fashionable.

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JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:53

.... and saints names. Keep seeing Josephine mentioned.

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JennyEnglish · 16/05/2013 11:55

I like Scott. Good choice.

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thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:56

I am Valerie and the only one I have heard of lately is Julian Clary's dog!

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thegreylady · 16/05/2013 11:56

I do know a baby Sylvie.

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