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HelpRe: Why aren't Roman names popular??
in reply to a message by irena22.2
I wouldn't say Roman names aren't popular; Julia, Leo, Carina, Clara, Felicia, Barbara, Octavia, Aurelia, Angela, Cassian, Claudia, Luna and Felix are pretty common/popular or are starting to be and Alba and other such names are quite trendy in much of Europe. They certainly aren't too rare.
The reason I would say the names you have just mentioned are not super popular is 1- a lot super popular boys names today are ones that have been popular or at least well heard of for centuries (James, Jacob, William, Henry, John, Daniel, Michael, Thomas, Luke, Matthew), because they are either biblical names or English names that have always been quite common in the English-speaking world. Those Roman names are not biblical or traditional English names. 2- They are a little long, or a little "too much". The feminine forms of those names, like Octavia and Lucia, are pretty popular, but because similar long, hyper-feminine names (Amelia, Sophia, Isabella, Valentina, Victoria, Eliana, Aurora) are super popular right now, but more elaborate boys names have not been joining the bunch just because it's not a trend. The feminine forms being more popular may also have to do with the fact that they are used by Spanish-speaking people, and there are lots in the States. This also means that the Spanish forms of Roman names are in some cases more common. 3-In an English speaking country, the more Anglisised versions of names will be favoured (Augustus vs. August, Franciscus vs. Francis, Iustinus vs. Justin) because they are the standard.
The reason I would say the names you have just mentioned are not super popular is 1- a lot super popular boys names today are ones that have been popular or at least well heard of for centuries (James, Jacob, William, Henry, John, Daniel, Michael, Thomas, Luke, Matthew), because they are either biblical names or English names that have always been quite common in the English-speaking world. Those Roman names are not biblical or traditional English names. 2- They are a little long, or a little "too much". The feminine forms of those names, like Octavia and Lucia, are pretty popular, but because similar long, hyper-feminine names (Amelia, Sophia, Isabella, Valentina, Victoria, Eliana, Aurora) are super popular right now, but more elaborate boys names have not been joining the bunch just because it's not a trend. The feminine forms being more popular may also have to do with the fact that they are used by Spanish-speaking people, and there are lots in the States. This also means that the Spanish forms of Roman names are in some cases more common. 3-In an English speaking country, the more Anglisised versions of names will be favoured (Augustus vs. August, Franciscus vs. Francis, Iustinus vs. Justin) because they are the standard.
This message was edited 5/25/2024, 12:11 PM
