# Names you don't hear much these days **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371 "2009-07-08T21:50:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/101 "2009-07-11T08:17:22Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > _waves at **Lacunae Matata** _ > > We have the same name! And I too like it; it’s not too obscure, but totally non-trendy. (Watch Rachel become trendy in the next ten years now that I said that. _sigh_) Nobody’s ever called me Rae but I’m sure I wouldn’t like it. My coworkers call me Rach but I deal with it because it’s far too late to correct them. > > And don’t call my brother Dave on pain of death. He _hates_ it. Is your middle name also Elizabeth? It’s odd, but of the ten or so people I’ve ever met with my first name, probably seven shared my middle name as well. Actually, though, the older I get, the more I like my names. They have an aura of both dignity and grace/feminity. It seems to me that very few names translate well from childhood to adulthood to old age, but I think my parents did well in choosing my names. As for nicknames, I’m sure I’d mind any nickname that people didn’t have “permission” to use. It’s okay with me that my family and closest friends call me “Rae,” because they’ve called me that as long as I can remember. But it’s not cool when people who don’t know me well label me with some random nickname. (Actually, only one of my closest friends is allowed to call me “Rach.” Everyone else gets the icy glare when they address me by that abomination of a nickname. And only my best girlfriend gets to call me “Red,” because it’s an inside joke. This thread has made me realize how totally neurotic I am about nicknames!) > [@](#): > > It’s Latin for “eagle”, and is also an Italian (specifically Neapolitan) surname. Actually, I knew that, having looked it up while researching geneaology. What makes the name so odd in my family is that the Aquila in my background is a great x some number grandfather from the totally uneducated Welsh side of the family. (I guess, if there had been a history of higher education in that side of the family, I wouldn’t find an obscure Latin name to be so unusual.) In a long line of Johns and Roberts, Aquila is just very odd! ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/102 "2009-07-11T12:27:38Z")
Hmmm, I am a guy. My first name is not very common, but slightly more common for a woman than a man. For me, my first name peaked as the 448th most popular in 1934, and hasn’t made the top 1000 in 60+ years. Seemed to have only been in the top 1000 from about 1920 - 1950. as a woman’s name, it hasn’t been in the top 1000 for 25 years or so, and peaked at 70 in 1941. My parents were assholes when it came to first names. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/103 "2009-07-11T13:12:38Z")
and no wonder I’ve never met another guy with my first name. Nor has anyone ever guessed it based on the first initial in a bar either… ---
**Author:** ![Kingspades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecae2f/32.png) [@Kingspades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kingspades)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/104 "2009-07-11T13:13:37Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > And don’t call my brother Dave on pain of death. He _hates_ it. I was exactly the same way. That is, until the cute girls in high school started calling me Dave. Now it’s what I prefer. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/105 "2009-07-11T18:20:17Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Hmmm, I am a guy. My first name is not very common, but slightly more common for a woman than a man. > > For me, my first name peaked as the 448th most popular in 1934, and hasn’t made the top 1000 in 60+ years. Seemed to have only been in the top 1000 from about 1920 - 1950. > > as a woman’s name, it hasn’t been in the top 1000 for 25 years or so, and peaked at 70 in 1941. > > My parents were assholes when it came to first names. No, I don’t guess anyone would have guessed that. However, if ever asked to guess a guys name in a bar, that is my go-to name! (yeah, curiosity killed the cat) ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/106 "2009-07-11T21:59:28Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > Hey! My dad’s a Bob, and he’s a doctor. Can’t believe I’m the first one to say: “The continuing _stooooooory_ of a QUACK… who’s gone to the dogs.” I’m a Jeff; the name held at #11 for '68, '69 (the year I was born), and '70. Don’t think I went to school with any other Jeffs (one Geoff, though). I knew a handful of Michelles, several Cheryls, numerous Jennifers, lots of Mikes, Scotts, and Johns. Oh, and Kellys, too. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/107 "2009-07-11T22:45:22Z")
Yep, Elizabeth as well. It seems to be the usual combination. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/108 "2009-07-12T01:53:50Z")
It always surprises me when this topic comes up, how many Jennifers there are in the US who were born in the '70s/'80s. It’s definitely not a name which is common among Australian 20-30 year olds. It was right up there with the Christines, Denises and Dianes in the '50s and I don’t think I’ve ever met a Jennifer who isn’t my age (55) or a bit older. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/109 "2009-07-12T03:05:48Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Hmmm, I am a guy. My first name is not very common, but slightly more common for a woman than a man. > > For me, my first name peaked as the 448th most popular in 1934, and hasn’t made the top 1000 in 60+ years. Seemed to have only been in the top 1000 from about 1920 - 1950. > > as a woman’s name, it hasn’t been in the top 1000 for 25 years or so, and peaked at 70 in 1941. > > My parents were assholes when it came to first names. Aw, come on! It’s not so bad. Especially if you wear a black suit and killer shades. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/110 "2009-07-12T03:20:01Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Aw, come on! It’s not so bad. Especially if you wear a black suit and killer shades. ohhh, nice, oblique reference. 🆒 Of course, the dopers collectively are a looooooot smarter than the average crowd in a bar. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/111 "2009-07-12T20:14:14Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > It always surprises me when this topic comes up, how many Jennifers there are in the US who were born in the '70s/'80s. It’s definitely not a name which is common among Australian 20-30 year olds. It was right up there with the Christines, Denises and Dianes in the '50s and I don’t think I’ve ever met a Jennifer who isn’t my age (55) or a bit older. Names are not just fashionable within a certain time, but in a certain region as well. I remember around 1990 I was talking with an Australian guy named Graham and I mentioned that I never met anyone by that name before. He was kind of shocked. That’s an extremely common name in Australia, but not in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/112 "2009-07-12T22:01:47Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I know at least six Karens. My mother, my aunt, and at least four people related to my work. Every single one of them, as far as I’m aware, is in the same age group. Which, I would guess, isn’t under 30. Probably closer to 40+. A weird trend in our small town is “Theodore”, called Teddy. I know of at least 4 my son’s age and one who is 19. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/113 "2009-07-13T16:44:44Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#): > > It’s Latin for “eagle”, and is also an Italian (specifically Neapolitan) surname. Slightly on topic. The phonetic pronounciation of _hedgehog_ in german is _eagle_. There is a line about someone being a cheapskate. There is an eagle (sic) in his pocket. ( It hurts to get your money.) Germans! I have no idea or inclination to find out the proper spelling of eagle. It could be eigl or eagl or throatwarbler-mangrove. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/114 "2009-07-13T16:46:34Z")
While we are on a Name Explosion that has Died Off: You don’t hear much of **Christine** and all the variations anymore. Nearly all of my friends are a Chris. Lot of Christopher’s as well. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/115 "2009-07-13T21:53:20Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Slightly on topic. The phonetic pronunciation of _hedgehog_ in german is _eagle_. > > \ > > I have no idea or inclination to find out the proper spelling of eagle. It could be eigl or eagl or throatwarbler-mangrove. You didn’t think of [_Igel_](http://www.dict.cc/english-german/hedgehog.html). However, that’s only the European hedgehog – the American cousin is _Stacheltier_. If I ever have to come up with a new screen name, I might go with _Tschechenigel_ – Czech hedgehog! ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/116 "2009-07-13T21:57:08Z")
I’m Roland. Weird thing is, I’ve never met another Roland, but a large percentage of people I meet know at least one other one. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/117 "2009-07-14T00:02:34Z")
I worked with a Roland 30+ years ago. And I dated a Cornelius - another name one doesn’t hear often. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/118 "2009-07-14T00:50:45Z")
George. Henry. Herbert. Francis. Walter. Ronald. Herman. Ralph. Kevin. Allen. Ken. Louis. All are fine names, but a bit dated … Nancy. Bea. Audrey. Lois. Lisa. Debby. Frances. Ida. Jill. Linda. Marge. Wendy. Mary/Marie. Patty. Virginia. Edith. Gloria. All it takes is one celebrity fishing an old-fashioned monicker out of the past, and lo and behold, “Frances/Francis” is on the hot list again. A generation has to go by, though. My own name conjurs up visions of a 1930’s farm wife, hoeing the sunflowers and feeding the chickens. It’s rare, but not unheard of; and yet, I have NEVER met another female with my name! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![WomanofScorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@WomanofScorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WomanofScorn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/119 "2009-07-14T02:34:34Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > We’ve got yet another thread about flaky names parents give their kids, but it got me to thinking about the names of my younger days that have fallen from popularity. > > For example, among my close friends in high school were Denise, Jeanette, Mary, Karen, Patricia, and Ruth. Others names among my classmates were Janice, Pam, Gail, Richard, Frederick, Don, and Phil. For a frame of reference, I graduated high school in '72. > > And from my parents’ generation, there’s Loretta, Stella, Jean, Joe, Walter, Eleanor, Dorothy, Harold, Connie… > > I’m not suggesting that no one chooses these names, but they’re certainly not as common as they used to be. So, what names did you hear a lot in your youth that don’t seem to be as popular these days? My name is Denise and I’m 29. One of my best friends is named Ruth and she’s my age. Melissa seemed to be a popular girl’s name when I was in school, but I doubt that’s much of a popular name now. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371/120 "2009-07-14T06:12:31Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > When I was a kid, I wanted to be called Ruth - I hated my own name. More recently, I thought I’d use that name if I had a second daughter. Alas, it was not to be… In other words, you are ruthless. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/names-you-dont-hear-much-these-days/502371.md?page=7)