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HelpUnusual British Names
I was looking through Britain's 100 most popular names for 2005, and I saw some very interesting names. Tell me what you think:
GIRLS
Millie - No Millicent or Mildred in the Top 100. This name hasn't ben popular in the US for some time, but I think it's cute.
Evie - Ranked higher than Eve. I think this name doesn't age too well.
Poppy - Don't like this at all. Very lightweight. Too cutesy for an adult.
Libby - This is pretty.
Rosie - No Rose in the Top 100. Again, this name doesn't age well.
Demi - No Demetria on the Top 100. Why did this name suddenly become popular?
Tilly - No Matilda in the Top 100. Again, name doesn't age well.
BOYS
Lewis - I like either the name nor the spelling.
Alfie - This is just terrible. Name the kid Alfred. Some adult males are going to be embarassed to admit that this is their name.
Harvey - Another ugly name. Did a celebrity make it popular?
Leo - Not my style.
Archie - Another nickname used as a given name. I can understand not naming a child Archibald, but why not Archer?
Finlay - A bit nerdy sounding.
Harley - See Harvey.
Freddie - Yet another nickname. Is there something wrong with Frederick?
Luca - Not ugly, but does anyone know why this name is popular?
Ellis - I love this name, although it's feminine sounding.
Zak - Oddly spelled nickname. Not my style.
In conclusion, it seems that British people seem to prefer nicknames to full names. Can anyone tell me why that is? Brits reading this should feel free to say what American/Canadian/Australian/New Zealand Top 100 names they find peculiar as well.
GIRLS
Millie - No Millicent or Mildred in the Top 100. This name hasn't ben popular in the US for some time, but I think it's cute.
Evie - Ranked higher than Eve. I think this name doesn't age too well.
Poppy - Don't like this at all. Very lightweight. Too cutesy for an adult.
Libby - This is pretty.
Rosie - No Rose in the Top 100. Again, this name doesn't age well.
Demi - No Demetria on the Top 100. Why did this name suddenly become popular?
Tilly - No Matilda in the Top 100. Again, name doesn't age well.
BOYS
Lewis - I like either the name nor the spelling.
Alfie - This is just terrible. Name the kid Alfred. Some adult males are going to be embarassed to admit that this is their name.
Harvey - Another ugly name. Did a celebrity make it popular?
Leo - Not my style.
Archie - Another nickname used as a given name. I can understand not naming a child Archibald, but why not Archer?
Finlay - A bit nerdy sounding.
Harley - See Harvey.
Freddie - Yet another nickname. Is there something wrong with Frederick?
Luca - Not ugly, but does anyone know why this name is popular?
Ellis - I love this name, although it's feminine sounding.
Zak - Oddly spelled nickname. Not my style.
In conclusion, it seems that British people seem to prefer nicknames to full names. Can anyone tell me why that is? Brits reading this should feel free to say what American/Canadian/Australian/New Zealand Top 100 names they find peculiar as well.
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Replies
I must confess that I am an English history fan, but I don't like these unsual English names. I think Nigel is ok., and Edward, Richard, William, and for girls, Anna, and Emily, are popular in England, as well as Kiera, and Scarlet.
Favorite Girl Names:
Emma
Katherine
Charlotte
Elizabeth
Rose
Anna
Favorite Boys names
Daniel
David
Alexander
James
Edward
R. I.P. Steve Irwin! You will be missed!
Favorite Girl Names:
Emma
Katherine
Charlotte
Elizabeth
Rose
Anna
Favorite Boys names
Daniel
David
Alexander
James
Edward
R. I.P. Steve Irwin! You will be missed!
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These differences of course didn't just happen in 2005. Parents in Great Britain have liked pet forms as official names more than Americans do for many years. There are a great many boys in England named Ben or Sam on their birth certificate; in the USA you almost never have those as official forms, with Benjamin and Samuel being used instead. You must remember that British culture is not identical to American culture; why do people in England have to have the same feeling about certain names that Americans do? It's highly unlikely that boys now being born in England named Alfie will be "embarrassed" by their name; the fact that it's so popular will ensure that if they are embarrassed by it, it will only be because they think it's "too common" in their generation. (And men are much less likely to be disturbed by that factor than women are.)
I've thought that perhaps one reason why pet forms are more common in Britain than in the USA has to do with a greater sense of conscious identification with class in England than in the USA. Blue collar people in England tend to identify as "working class" and perhaps think names such as Alfie and Freddie sound appropriate for their neighborhoods, while Alfred and Frederick would sound too "posh" and like the parents were being snobbish. American culture, on the other hand, tries to pretend that we are all "middle class" and parents are encouraged to give their kids names that would be "appropriate if your child ever became President" (especially boys.)
There are of course some individual culture factors that influence particular names. I think Poppy is more acceptable for girls in England because "Pop" is not as commonly found as a form of address for a father or grandfather in the UK as it is in the USA.
I've thought that perhaps one reason why pet forms are more common in Britain than in the USA has to do with a greater sense of conscious identification with class in England than in the USA. Blue collar people in England tend to identify as "working class" and perhaps think names such as Alfie and Freddie sound appropriate for their neighborhoods, while Alfred and Frederick would sound too "posh" and like the parents were being snobbish. American culture, on the other hand, tries to pretend that we are all "middle class" and parents are encouraged to give their kids names that would be "appropriate if your child ever became President" (especially boys.)
There are of course some individual culture factors that influence particular names. I think Poppy is more acceptable for girls in England because "Pop" is not as commonly found as a form of address for a father or grandfather in the UK as it is in the USA.
This message was edited 9/28/2006, 1:10 PM
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GIRLS
Millie - This is extremely popular here, sometimes combined with another name for example Millie-May or Millie-Rose. I'm not a fan but IMO it is a lot better than Millicent or Mildred
Evie - I prefer Eve
Poppy - I like the flower, but I dislike the name because of the 'pop' sound in it. This is used more by the 'upper-class'
Libby - I definitely prefer this as a nn for Elisabeth
Rosie - I prefer Rose
Demi - Popular because of Demi Moore, and a character on the popular soap Eastenders. I don't think people think of this as being a nn for Demetria, because it is also a French word meaning 'half'
Tilly - I dislike it, I think people here like names ending in the 'ee' sound. I just wish they would use them as nicknames for more formal names :-)
BOYS
Lewis - Very popular, I dislike it
Alfie - I like Alfie, it's cute and does age well IMO. Popular again because of a character on Eastenders. I would prefer Alfred nn Alfie though
Harvey - I agree, it is ugly. I can't really think of a reason for it being popular except that the 'model' Jordan named her son this
Leo - I like it, this is Tony Blair's youngest son's name
Archie - Archie is fine, I do know an Archer nn Archie though
Finlay - This is very popular, I dislike the 'fin' sound
Harley - Harley is nms, but it's better than Harvey
Millie - This is extremely popular here, sometimes combined with another name for example Millie-May or Millie-Rose. I'm not a fan but IMO it is a lot better than Millicent or Mildred
Evie - I prefer Eve
Poppy - I like the flower, but I dislike the name because of the 'pop' sound in it. This is used more by the 'upper-class'
Libby - I definitely prefer this as a nn for Elisabeth
Rosie - I prefer Rose
Demi - Popular because of Demi Moore, and a character on the popular soap Eastenders. I don't think people think of this as being a nn for Demetria, because it is also a French word meaning 'half'
Tilly - I dislike it, I think people here like names ending in the 'ee' sound. I just wish they would use them as nicknames for more formal names :-)
BOYS
Lewis - Very popular, I dislike it
Alfie - I like Alfie, it's cute and does age well IMO. Popular again because of a character on Eastenders. I would prefer Alfred nn Alfie though
Harvey - I agree, it is ugly. I can't really think of a reason for it being popular except that the 'model' Jordan named her son this
Leo - I like it, this is Tony Blair's youngest son's name
Archie - Archie is fine, I do know an Archer nn Archie though
Finlay - This is very popular, I dislike the 'fin' sound
Harley - Harley is nms, but it's better than Harvey
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GIRLS
Millie - it's all right, but certainly nms. For the record, neither is Mildred. :o)
Evie - I prefer this as a nn for Eve- names, but as names go, it's not that bad.
Poppy - I love poppy flowers, but I'd rather see someone named Tulip. Poppy has too much "pop" in it for me to really like it. That being said, those are just my preferences. I really can't find anything terrible to say about it.
Libby - Can't stand this. Reminds me of "liberal" and it's fine if you are, but why label your kids with your political preference?
Rosie - I think this is sweet and a nice change from Rose. A Rosie could always be nned Rose, couldn't she?
Demi - I personally prefer Demetria as Demi by itself means "half."
Tilly - This is cute, too. If I didn't already have a DD nned Tori, I'd consider it. :o)
BOYS
Lewis - I really like this; think it's classy. I have more of a tendency to prn Louis as LOO-ee.
Alfie - Only thing I can think to say about this is that the only possible nn derived from it is Alf. (Alien Life Form...) If I really like Alfie (which I don't), I'd name my son Ralph & just call him Alfie.
Harvey - I really, really like this! Probably 'cause it sounds old, and that's what I'm attracted to. :o)
Leo - Love this, but prefer it as a nn. As a whole name, though, it's not bad at all.
Archie - I'm personally not fond of this, but I agree that Archer nn Archie would be better, imo.
Millie - it's all right, but certainly nms. For the record, neither is Mildred. :o)
Evie - I prefer this as a nn for Eve- names, but as names go, it's not that bad.
Poppy - I love poppy flowers, but I'd rather see someone named Tulip. Poppy has too much "pop" in it for me to really like it. That being said, those are just my preferences. I really can't find anything terrible to say about it.
Libby - Can't stand this. Reminds me of "liberal" and it's fine if you are, but why label your kids with your political preference?
Rosie - I think this is sweet and a nice change from Rose. A Rosie could always be nned Rose, couldn't she?
Demi - I personally prefer Demetria as Demi by itself means "half."
Tilly - This is cute, too. If I didn't already have a DD nned Tori, I'd consider it. :o)
BOYS
Lewis - I really like this; think it's classy. I have more of a tendency to prn Louis as LOO-ee.
Alfie - Only thing I can think to say about this is that the only possible nn derived from it is Alf. (Alien Life Form...) If I really like Alfie (which I don't), I'd name my son Ralph & just call him Alfie.
Harvey - I really, really like this! Probably 'cause it sounds old, and that's what I'm attracted to. :o)
Leo - Love this, but prefer it as a nn. As a whole name, though, it's not bad at all.
Archie - I'm personally not fond of this, but I agree that Archer nn Archie would be better, imo.
This message was edited 9/28/2006, 9:22 AM
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GIRLS
Millie- I think this is really cute. I probably wouldn't use it myself but would LOVE to see it on another child. Millicent is charming also.
Evie - I think Evie is pretty. I don't have a problem w/ an adult having this name.
Poppy - This seems a little cartoonish or contrived and I ALWAYS think of The Wizard of Oz. Poppies, poppies...
Libby - My dog's name. I recently decided that Libby wasn't enough of a fullname for her so I renamed her officially Elizabeth Tayloir, but we still call her Libby. Cute, but I don't see it as a standalone
Rosie - I have never liked this name or any variant of Rose besides Rosemary
Demi - I think Demi Moore is the reason for the popularity
Tilly - This is really cute. But I wouldn't use it
BOYS
Lewis - I really like this, especially as a mn
Alfie - Yuck
Harvey - Not my favorite, not horrible
Leo -It's ok, but nms
Archie - I dislike it
Finlay - I prefer Finnegan
Harley - Yuck. I think of motorcycles.
Freddie - I don't like Fred, Freddie or Fredrick
Luca - This is ok
Ellis - Not terrible, not great.
Zak - I dislike this as a stand alone.
Millie- I think this is really cute. I probably wouldn't use it myself but would LOVE to see it on another child. Millicent is charming also.
Evie - I think Evie is pretty. I don't have a problem w/ an adult having this name.
Poppy - This seems a little cartoonish or contrived and I ALWAYS think of The Wizard of Oz. Poppies, poppies...
Libby - My dog's name. I recently decided that Libby wasn't enough of a fullname for her so I renamed her officially Elizabeth Tayloir, but we still call her Libby. Cute, but I don't see it as a standalone
Rosie - I have never liked this name or any variant of Rose besides Rosemary
Demi - I think Demi Moore is the reason for the popularity
Tilly - This is really cute. But I wouldn't use it
BOYS
Lewis - I really like this, especially as a mn
Alfie - Yuck
Harvey - Not my favorite, not horrible
Leo -It's ok, but nms
Archie - I dislike it
Finlay - I prefer Finnegan
Harley - Yuck. I think of motorcycles.
Freddie - I don't like Fred, Freddie or Fredrick
Luca - This is ok
Ellis - Not terrible, not great.
Zak - I dislike this as a stand alone.
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These aren't unusual...
As a brit, I can honestly say theser names are just the norm. Some are vintage and are mainly used by 'posher' people and the others (I wwon't call them 'tacky' though they may seem that way) are used by the 'hip'.
I believe they prefer these shorter names (I dont see them as NN as you do) because to them its simple and cute.
Millie - There are plenty of little Millie's running about the place. Personally I don't like it much, buts its sweet. I don't see them using Mildred or Millicent. My friends cousins are called Millie-Ann Rosie-May and Billie-James...there mother is called Tilly and their father James (no joke.)
Evie - Cute, I like it but would NEVER use it, I prefer the full name Evelyn.
Poppy - Not my type, but I can see why its popular here because of the war.
Libby - Not fond of this one at all.
Rosie - VERY popular, but I'm a Rose person. Rosie ages quite well here.
Demi - Demi on its own seems normal over here and to me. People like its simple meaning.
Tilly - Not fond of this one either. I know a Miltilda but no one calls her that, she doesn't even write it as her name on documants, she uses 'Tilly'.
BOYS
Lewis - Again very popular, but this is not unusual at all!??
Alfie - A nice name over here, better than Alfred. My cousin is called Alfonso but again they never use that name, they use Alfie, all the time on documents, at school, etc.
As a brit, I can honestly say theser names are just the norm. Some are vintage and are mainly used by 'posher' people and the others (I wwon't call them 'tacky' though they may seem that way) are used by the 'hip'.
I believe they prefer these shorter names (I dont see them as NN as you do) because to them its simple and cute.
Millie - There are plenty of little Millie's running about the place. Personally I don't like it much, buts its sweet. I don't see them using Mildred or Millicent. My friends cousins are called Millie-Ann Rosie-May and Billie-James...there mother is called Tilly and their father James (no joke.)
Evie - Cute, I like it but would NEVER use it, I prefer the full name Evelyn.
Poppy - Not my type, but I can see why its popular here because of the war.
Libby - Not fond of this one at all.
Rosie - VERY popular, but I'm a Rose person. Rosie ages quite well here.
Demi - Demi on its own seems normal over here and to me. People like its simple meaning.
Tilly - Not fond of this one either. I know a Miltilda but no one calls her that, she doesn't even write it as her name on documants, she uses 'Tilly'.
BOYS
Lewis - Again very popular, but this is not unusual at all!??
Alfie - A nice name over here, better than Alfred. My cousin is called Alfonso but again they never use that name, they use Alfie, all the time on documents, at school, etc.
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I really couldn't say why Demi had a sudden rise in popularity. My friend named her daughter Demi seven years ago, and it was popular then, but I thought it had become less common since. I will say, though, that it's usually the lower-class, 'scally' types who call their daughters Demi, and that Demis I have known tend to have siblings with names such as Jodie, Lynzy (spelt something like this, never Lindsay!) or Shane.
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forgot to say which ones I like
None of these especially grab me, but the ones that are okay are:
GIRLS
Millie - I also like Mildred, though
Evie - Prefer Eve though
Poppy
Tilly - but prefer Matilda
BOYS
Alfie - My neighbours had a dog named Alfie, so I like the name, but struggle to see it on a person
Leo
Archie - I actually think a child in the UK would have a lot more problems if he were named Archer than if her were named Archibald. People would assume that Archibald was after an old relative or something, whereas to most British ears, Archer isn't a name at all, and just sounds weird. (see below)
Finlay
Freddie - but I also like Frederick
It suddenly occured to me while writing about Archie/Archer that although many Americans would find the amount of nns as full names used in the UK weird, a lot of Brits would find the amount of surnames commonly used as first names in America equally odd. Maybe in the next few years, we'll see the two trends start to switch between the countries, with litte Millies and Freddies running around the US, and Mackenzies and Hunters in the UK.
None of these especially grab me, but the ones that are okay are:
GIRLS
Millie - I also like Mildred, though
Evie - Prefer Eve though
Poppy
Tilly - but prefer Matilda
BOYS
Alfie - My neighbours had a dog named Alfie, so I like the name, but struggle to see it on a person
Leo
Archie - I actually think a child in the UK would have a lot more problems if he were named Archer than if her were named Archibald. People would assume that Archibald was after an old relative or something, whereas to most British ears, Archer isn't a name at all, and just sounds weird. (see below)
Finlay
Freddie - but I also like Frederick
It suddenly occured to me while writing about Archie/Archer that although many Americans would find the amount of nns as full names used in the UK weird, a lot of Brits would find the amount of surnames commonly used as first names in America equally odd. Maybe in the next few years, we'll see the two trends start to switch between the countries, with litte Millies and Freddies running around the US, and Mackenzies and Hunters in the UK.
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Millie - I greatly prefer Millie to Mildred or Millicent, and I can understand why those aren't popular but this is.
Evie - I prefer Eva, but I think this is pretty.
Poppy - I also can't imagine this on an adult but I like it.
Libby - This is pretty.
Rosie - I prefer Rose, i'm not a big fan of Rosie.
Demi - I think this name is only popular because of Demi Moore
Tilly - I think Tilly ages well, I really like this name. Some of the popularity may come from the fact that a celebrity, Davina McCall called her baby Tilly.
BOYS
Lewis - I like this name, and I prefer this spelling instead of the mispronounced Louis.
Alfie - I really like Alfie, i don't think many men will have a problem with this name! this also came from the name of a TV character on Eastenders.
Harvey - I strongly dislike this name. I think it was made popular by Jordan, who called her son this. I really don't understand the popularity of this one.
Leo - I like this.
Archie - I have the same opinion about this as Alfie, although I don't think there is any celebrity connection.
Finlay - I like Finlay, I don't think its nerdy. I prefer Finn.
Harley - Also don't like this. I didn't realise it was that popular!
Freddie - I like it.
Evie - I prefer Eva, but I think this is pretty.
Poppy - I also can't imagine this on an adult but I like it.
Libby - This is pretty.
Rosie - I prefer Rose, i'm not a big fan of Rosie.
Demi - I think this name is only popular because of Demi Moore
Tilly - I think Tilly ages well, I really like this name. Some of the popularity may come from the fact that a celebrity, Davina McCall called her baby Tilly.
BOYS
Lewis - I like this name, and I prefer this spelling instead of the mispronounced Louis.
Alfie - I really like Alfie, i don't think many men will have a problem with this name! this also came from the name of a TV character on Eastenders.
Harvey - I strongly dislike this name. I think it was made popular by Jordan, who called her son this. I really don't understand the popularity of this one.
Leo - I like this.
Archie - I have the same opinion about this as Alfie, although I don't think there is any celebrity connection.
Finlay - I like Finlay, I don't think its nerdy. I prefer Finn.
Harley - Also don't like this. I didn't realise it was that popular!
Freddie - I like it.
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GIRLS
Millie - Cute, different to ever popular Molly
Evie - Gorgeous and I think this ages perfectly.
Poppy - Gorgeous and definately not too cute for an adult, konw a few adult Poppy's
Libby - Its ok
Rosie - Rosie is gorgeous and I completely disagree with you, I know a child Rosie, a 40 year old woman Rosie adn a grandmother Rosie adn they suit their names perfect.
Demi - Uh.. Demi more...
Tilly - Ditto with Rosie, I know a 80 year old woman who loves for everyone to call her Grandma Tilly. Suits her well. her daughter is also Tilly. Know a few in their teens too.
BOYS
Lewis - Like this
Alfie - Uh. I would rather be Alfie than stuffy Alfred. Alfie is very cute. Would you say the same about Charlie?
Harvey - Cute
Leo - Gorgeous!
Archie - Why call a child a full name you wont use? Its stupid. Archie is lovely by itself.
Finlay - Lovely
Harley - Not a fan
Freddie - Prefer Frederick
Luca - Gorgeous
Ellis - Gorgeous and Masculine
Zak - Not a fan.
I would see a child Archie as the full name rather than see a child Archibald "Archie" who didn't even know his full naem adn who never used it. It drives me nuts when parents do that.
Millie - Cute, different to ever popular Molly
Evie - Gorgeous and I think this ages perfectly.
Poppy - Gorgeous and definately not too cute for an adult, konw a few adult Poppy's
Libby - Its ok
Rosie - Rosie is gorgeous and I completely disagree with you, I know a child Rosie, a 40 year old woman Rosie adn a grandmother Rosie adn they suit their names perfect.
Demi - Uh.. Demi more...
Tilly - Ditto with Rosie, I know a 80 year old woman who loves for everyone to call her Grandma Tilly. Suits her well. her daughter is also Tilly. Know a few in their teens too.
BOYS
Lewis - Like this
Alfie - Uh. I would rather be Alfie than stuffy Alfred. Alfie is very cute. Would you say the same about Charlie?
Harvey - Cute
Leo - Gorgeous!
Archie - Why call a child a full name you wont use? Its stupid. Archie is lovely by itself.
Finlay - Lovely
Harley - Not a fan
Freddie - Prefer Frederick
Luca - Gorgeous
Ellis - Gorgeous and Masculine
Zak - Not a fan.
I would see a child Archie as the full name rather than see a child Archibald "Archie" who didn't even know his full naem adn who never used it. It drives me nuts when parents do that.
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I'd have to agree with you there. Just looking at the list here for CA BAs and FL BAs make me cringe. It should be a federal crime what people are naming their kids these days!
That said, I'm really happy with the surge of old-fashioned names that I've been seeing in my area. Names like Ellie, Sophia, Olivia, Hannah, Abigail, Julia, etc. Some are overused, but I'd rather see these beautiful names overused than underused, and I'd rather hear of yet another Olivia than to see a Jazzmin or a MaKayla.
That said, I'm really happy with the surge of old-fashioned names that I've been seeing in my area. Names like Ellie, Sophia, Olivia, Hannah, Abigail, Julia, etc. Some are overused, but I'd rather see these beautiful names overused than underused, and I'd rather hear of yet another Olivia than to see a Jazzmin or a MaKayla.
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When people think of American names they always think of the crappy ones that people use. I think American names are basically just a general survey of what people around the world name their children, considering we have a high mixture of people from every country in the world, whereas other countries don't have such a wide mixture or "melting pot". So, when you criticize an American name, you are also criticizing names from other countries or that come from people of various nationalities at the same time.
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whereas other countries don't have such a wide mixture or "melting pot"
Australia does, and so do various other immigration-based nations. The US is hardly unique.
Proudly Australian www.archaeochrisell.blogspot.com
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