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Help1940s names - the sequel
Here are entries 21-40* from the England and Wales boys' names for 1944:
21. George
22. Graham
23. Ian
24. Malcolm
25. Geoffrey
26. Ronald
27. Derek
28. Paul
29. Edward
30. Roy
31. Patrick
32. Philip
33. Trevor
34. Dennis
35. Leslie
36. Joseph
37. Bernard
38. Charles
39. Eric
40. Stephen
a) Which of these names sound the most dated to you?
b) Which are usable now, and why do you think they've stayed current?
c) Pick two combos - favourites, or best of the bunch.
* just to shake things up, but I'll post the top 20 if anyone wants to see it.
21. George
22. Graham
23. Ian
24. Malcolm
25. Geoffrey
26. Ronald
27. Derek
28. Paul
29. Edward
30. Roy
31. Patrick
32. Philip
33. Trevor
34. Dennis
35. Leslie
36. Joseph
37. Bernard
38. Charles
39. Eric
40. Stephen
a) Which of these names sound the most dated to you?
b) Which are usable now, and why do you think they've stayed current?
c) Pick two combos - favourites, or best of the bunch.
* just to shake things up, but I'll post the top 20 if anyone wants to see it.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
a) Leslie and Ronald.
b) George, Geoffrey, Paul, Edward, Philip, Joseph, Charles, Stephen and maybe Malcolm, Derek and Eric. Different reasons- some are classic or Biblical, others have recently been in the media or literature, some are considered 'cool' because they are older names.
c) Philip George and Charles Malcolm "Charlie"
b) George, Geoffrey, Paul, Edward, Philip, Joseph, Charles, Stephen and maybe Malcolm, Derek and Eric. Different reasons- some are classic or Biblical, others have recently been in the media or literature, some are considered 'cool' because they are older names.
c) Philip George and Charles Malcolm "Charlie"
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Most dated are Ronald, (very dated), Edward, Dennis, Charles, Leslie, and Bernard.
Two of these are not dated at all in the US: Graham and Ian. A few are not dated in the same way as they are in the UK. They may have had their greatest spell of popularity twenty years ago, but they are not "old or middle-aged man" dated. They are seen on young guys: Derek, Patrick, Trevor.
I think they are all usable except Leslie. Your second question seems to equate "current" with "usable", but I think that non-current names are usable, for the most part. The reason I don't find Leslie usable for a boy is that it became popular for girls, spelled Leslie rather than Lesley in the US.
Graham Patrick
Patrick Joseph
My favorites of the bunch.
Two of these are not dated at all in the US: Graham and Ian. A few are not dated in the same way as they are in the UK. They may have had their greatest spell of popularity twenty years ago, but they are not "old or middle-aged man" dated. They are seen on young guys: Derek, Patrick, Trevor.
I think they are all usable except Leslie. Your second question seems to equate "current" with "usable", but I think that non-current names are usable, for the most part. The reason I don't find Leslie usable for a boy is that it became popular for girls, spelled Leslie rather than Lesley in the US.
Graham Patrick
Patrick Joseph
My favorites of the bunch.
This message was edited 4/22/2015, 7:46 PM
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My favourites are Malcolm, Edward, Patrick, Eric and Stephen.
The names that sound the most dated are Dennis and Ronald, Also Leslie for a boy I haven't heard for a long time.
A lot of these are coming popular again. Especially names like Edward, Patrick, Trevor, Eric and Derek.
Please Vote; http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/151224
The names that sound the most dated are Dennis and Ronald, Also Leslie for a boy I haven't heard for a long time.
A lot of these are coming popular again. Especially names like Edward, Patrick, Trevor, Eric and Derek.
Please Vote; http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/151224
This message was edited 4/22/2015, 2:39 PM
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I would say Leslie, Ronald and Roy sound the most dated to me (I'm not studied on usage statistics). I think it would be tough in this day and age for a boy to live with Leslie but I don't see why the others couldn't be considered usable.
Using this list my favorites would be...
Malcolm Geoffrey and George Graham ("GRAY-um")
Using this list my favorites would be...
Malcolm Geoffrey and George Graham ("GRAY-um")
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Love to see Leslie for a boy listed. I also truly appreciate the name Philip.
a) Bernard is adorably old-man and the most dated to me, and Roy seems dated too, but maybe I am just picturing Royce when I see the name. I like them both.
b) Surprised Ian was on the list, that seems so much more modern to me. So do Derek and Trevor. These are def on trend (or were 5-10 years ago!).
c) I would make the following combos:
Paul Bernard
Ian Philip
a) Bernard is adorably old-man and the most dated to me, and Roy seems dated too, but maybe I am just picturing Royce when I see the name. I like them both.
b) Surprised Ian was on the list, that seems so much more modern to me. So do Derek and Trevor. These are def on trend (or were 5-10 years ago!).
c) I would make the following combos:
Paul Bernard
Ian Philip
This message was edited 4/22/2015, 12:09 PM
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a) Even though the name is perennially popular, I have never personally felt any "youthful" vibe from George. I think it's the double soft 'g' sound that makes it seem harsh... but several past King Georges probably didn't help. Paul, Roy, Leslie (m), and Bernard feel explicitly dated, though, beyond my personal preferences.
b) I've met a Graham my age, and it didn't seem bizarre at all. Actually it's a pretty cool name to have. Same with Ian, Geoffrey, and Derek. Names like Ronald, Edward, Joseph, Charles, and Stephen will always be used. Dennis and Eric are okay, but I'm not a huge fan of Patrick, Philip, or Trevor.
Malcolm, on the other hand, is perhaps my favorite male name.
c)
Malcolm Charles
Graham Edward
Ian Geoffrey
b) I've met a Graham my age, and it didn't seem bizarre at all. Actually it's a pretty cool name to have. Same with Ian, Geoffrey, and Derek. Names like Ronald, Edward, Joseph, Charles, and Stephen will always be used. Dennis and Eric are okay, but I'm not a huge fan of Patrick, Philip, or Trevor.
Malcolm, on the other hand, is perhaps my favorite male name.
c)
Malcolm Charles
Graham Edward
Ian Geoffrey
This message was edited 4/22/2015, 9:16 AM
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a) Malcolm, Geoffrey, Roy, Trevor, Bernard.
b) George (Prince George), Edward (Just a strong classic name), Joseph (It's another strong classic name. I know two or three people called Joseph around my age), Charles (another strong classic name), Eric (Strong classic name.
c)
Favourites: George, Joseph, Charles, Eric, Stephen (pronounced like Steven).
Combo 1: Joseph George Eric
Combo 2: Charles Edward Philip
b) George (Prince George), Edward (Just a strong classic name), Joseph (It's another strong classic name. I know two or three people called Joseph around my age), Charles (another strong classic name), Eric (Strong classic name.
c)
Favourites: George, Joseph, Charles, Eric, Stephen (pronounced like Steven).
Combo 1: Joseph George Eric
Combo 2: Charles Edward Philip
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a) Dennis, Leslie, Ronald and maybe Roy are definitely the most dated for me. Eric, Graham, Derek, Trevor, Ian, and Stephen were (less common) names of my peers in my generation (born in 83) so they sound very normal to me, but will probably sound dated soon.
b) Eric, George, Malcolm, Geoffrey, Paul, Edward, Philip, Joseph, Charles and Bernard all ring classic to me, so those are all useable now (Jeffrey slightly less so - it's got a more dated, less serious tone to it.)The above names all sound serious and regal, and I would be hard-pressed to guess what age a bearer of one of them was. George, Philip and Bernard are skirting the edge - they seem more old-fashioned than the others by just a touch. Patrick and Graham also seem more current - I have never met a Patrick, and only knew one Graham, so they sound young but not in a shallow, flavour-of-the-month way.
c) Combos!
Malcolm Roy
Patrick Dennis
George Eric
Charles Geoffrey
I always make too many I'm SORRY
b) Eric, George, Malcolm, Geoffrey, Paul, Edward, Philip, Joseph, Charles and Bernard all ring classic to me, so those are all useable now (Jeffrey slightly less so - it's got a more dated, less serious tone to it.)The above names all sound serious and regal, and I would be hard-pressed to guess what age a bearer of one of them was. George, Philip and Bernard are skirting the edge - they seem more old-fashioned than the others by just a touch. Patrick and Graham also seem more current - I have never met a Patrick, and only knew one Graham, so they sound young but not in a shallow, flavour-of-the-month way.
c) Combos!
Malcolm Roy
Patrick Dennis
George Eric
Charles Geoffrey
I always make too many I'm SORRY
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Roy and Leslie seem most dated. Leslie started getting popular for girls in the US around that time and has been more or less popular for quite a while, but it was already fading out for boys at that time. Roy really sounds redneck now.
Graham probably stands a chance of seeing some very modest popularity here.
Joseph is probably the one that's stayed the most consistently popular name here.
Patrick Charles
Philip Joseph
PS: I really cannot stand the spelling Geoffrey. It's so damn posh and somehow effeminate, though of course it's entirely a male name and always has been. Jeffrey is fine, and Jeff is such a friendly, good-guy kind of nn. Geoff just looks like the sound of a bad cough.
Graham probably stands a chance of seeing some very modest popularity here.
Joseph is probably the one that's stayed the most consistently popular name here.
Patrick Charles
Philip Joseph
PS: I really cannot stand the spelling Geoffrey. It's so damn posh and somehow effeminate, though of course it's entirely a male name and always has been. Jeffrey is fine, and Jeff is such a friendly, good-guy kind of nn. Geoff just looks like the sound of a bad cough.
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Geoffrey
This used to be my preferred spelling of the name (even though Jeffrey is much more common here)... until Game of Thrones. Now every time I read the name the 'o' makes me say "Joffrey" first.
This used to be my preferred spelling of the name (even though Jeffrey is much more common here)... until Game of Thrones. Now every time I read the name the 'o' makes me say "Joffrey" first.
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I know someone in the States with this name. He pronounces it like Joffrey too. It's quite annoying. He is usually called Geoff (joff). I think his parents were trying to be upper-class.
It's even more striking because he is one of those hipster fellows who wears a long beard and bald head (by choice), with retro faded clothes from the second-hand store. It's a look, so whatever... but it definitely clashes when you say "Hey, Geoff!".
I think if he was actually named Joff, it would make so much more sense!
It's even more striking because he is one of those hipster fellows who wears a long beard and bald head (by choice), with retro faded clothes from the second-hand store. It's a look, so whatever... but it definitely clashes when you say "Hey, Geoff!".
I think if he was actually named Joff, it would make so much more sense!
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I think all of them are still usable, some more than others. Ronald, Trevor, Dennis, Leslie and Bernard seem a bit old-fashioned to me, whereas George, Paul, Edward, Patrick, Philip, Joseph and Charles are total classics. Why the latter ones have stayed so current, I don't know for sure: at least they have a long history, they're names of rulers and other known people and most of them have Biblical roots.
My two combos would be:
Ian Geoffrey
Joseph Graham
My two combos would be:
Ian Geoffrey
Joseph Graham
This message was edited 4/22/2015, 7:12 AM
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Pretty please with cinnamon sugar, can we have the top 20? And, indeed, the 21-40 for girls?
The most dated? Until a couple of years ago, I'd have led with George - in fact, I'll still lead with George. And then Malcolm, Geoffrey, Ronald, Roy, Trevor, Dennis, Leslie, Eric.
Currently usable? Who knows - see George above. I like these ones enough to use, given enough children: Graham, Ian, Derek, Paul, Roy, Bernard and Stephen, and also Joseph for family reasons.
Combos? Graham Paul; Ian Bernard; Stephen Roy (but Graham and Roy are also family names)
The most dated? Until a couple of years ago, I'd have led with George - in fact, I'll still lead with George. And then Malcolm, Geoffrey, Ronald, Roy, Trevor, Dennis, Leslie, Eric.
Currently usable? Who knows - see George above. I like these ones enough to use, given enough children: Graham, Ian, Derek, Paul, Roy, Bernard and Stephen, and also Joseph for family reasons.
Combos? Graham Paul; Ian Bernard; Stephen Roy (but Graham and Roy are also family names)
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I'm surprised Christopher was so popular back then. I think it's because I know so many who were born in the '70s and '80s, not to mention a couple who are still small children that I think of it as being a much more modern name.
Barry is one of my least favourite boys' names. I just do not get the appeal of it!
Barry is one of my least favourite boys' names. I just do not get the appeal of it!
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Christopher Lee! & thinking about it, there's one in my family tree in the 1700s. It's a proper classic that's been in long-time constant use, but yup, I've never really thought about it as one either because of the millions of Chrises in the 70s and 80s. Interesting.
Totally with you on Barry. It just reminds me of the seaside town in South Wales, and thus has an aura of scuzz about it :)
Totally with you on Barry. It just reminds me of the seaside town in South Wales, and thus has an aura of scuzz about it :)
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Fairly straightforward.
Alan stands out to me. So does Keith. Keith is far more middle-aged in the States. I would say that is was more popular in the mid to late sixties here. Colin is far more of a 90s name to me.
Roger is one of my loves. It's so cheeky and adorable and old-man.
Roger Alan would make a lovely name, as would Terence Barry.
Alan stands out to me. So does Keith. Keith is far more middle-aged in the States. I would say that is was more popular in the mid to late sixties here. Colin is far more of a 90s name to me.
Roger is one of my loves. It's so cheeky and adorable and old-man.
Roger Alan would make a lovely name, as would Terence Barry.
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It's funny about George. I had a thing about it for a while, because of my favourite great-uncle who died a few years ago in his 90s (although technically he was a Georges) and was wondering if it would seem too old and crusty on a nipper. Now it's #10 in the UK and I keep coming across little ones. I guess lots of other people had elderly George-relations! Including the royals.
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I'd use Gillian and perhaps Sylvia as mns - more likely Gillian. And also Rosemary, which I might even consider as a fn.
My dislike of -een names (Eileen, Doreen) extends to Jacqueline, which I'm afraid was probably pronounced Jackweleen. Carol is somewhat OK, but that -ole spelling kills it. Marion would be improved as Marianne. Sheila should be pretty - it's such a quiet name, impossible to shout - and I do prefer it to Shirley, just, but I wouldn't use either.
Brenda, Linda, June and Joyce make my toes curl up with horror.
Combos:
Gillian Rosemary
Sheila Dorothy
My dislike of -een names (Eileen, Doreen) extends to Jacqueline, which I'm afraid was probably pronounced Jackweleen. Carol is somewhat OK, but that -ole spelling kills it. Marion would be improved as Marianne. Sheila should be pretty - it's such a quiet name, impossible to shout - and I do prefer it to Shirley, just, but I wouldn't use either.
Brenda, Linda, June and Joyce make my toes curl up with horror.
Combos:
Gillian Rosemary
Sheila Dorothy
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I once worked with a Jacqueline who would have been born at about that time, and she pronounced it JACKAL inn. Yuck!
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Ah! Love Many of these!
Carole wins for favorite. Gillian, Joyce, June, Rosemary, Wendy, and Shirley are all tied for second. Angela gets special mention for being great.
Shirley is a treo favor of mine, but it rarely get's love online.
Gillian is adorable, though I must admit I prefer Jillian, nn Jill.
Sheila I despise. It was one of my grandmother's names, and I have always found it quite ugly. Not sure why. Doreen is also quite "cheap" sounding to me, for some reason.
Irene is a classy choice on the list.
I would make the following combos:
Carole June
Angela Joyce
Carole wins for favorite. Gillian, Joyce, June, Rosemary, Wendy, and Shirley are all tied for second. Angela gets special mention for being great.
Shirley is a treo favor of mine, but it rarely get's love online.
Gillian is adorable, though I must admit I prefer Jillian, nn Jill.
Sheila I despise. It was one of my grandmother's names, and I have always found it quite ugly. Not sure why. Doreen is also quite "cheap" sounding to me, for some reason.
Irene is a classy choice on the list.
I would make the following combos:
Carole June
Angela Joyce
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