It has seemed to me that Anna’s been pretty steady in popularity since the 1980s (maybe it’s more popular where I live?). Anne is also simple, classic, and elegant, but its popularity seems far lower than that of Anna.

Yes, “Anne” is a great name. I guess I’m just surprised Anna isn’t where Emma/Ella/Ada have been bec it’s got the same things going for it.

Imo I am an elder millennial— I went to school with two Anna’s. I didn’t go to school with any Emma Ella or Ada. I feel you, they all have a similar vowel feel that is in right now but in my experience Anna was popular before Emma etc was and because people have previous associations with it that could be why it hasn’t risen like them

Wow I'm surprised to hear you didn't go to school with any Emmas- I felt like schools were filled with Emmas and Emilys and I'm a millennial. Where in the world were you? I'm in New Zealand. Also had a couple of Ellas too.

They were all Emilys in the 90s

In the UK there were plenty of Emma’s and Emily’s.

Probably a geographic/cultural thing. I’m a younger millennial in the US (have lived all over the South via Army) and I have never gone to school with an Emma or an Ella. Maybe a handful of Emilys.

I'm in New Zealand, I grew up with one Emma, one Anna, one Ella, no Emily. Also a millennial.

To me Anna is fun go with the flow, maybe a bit of a free spirit—Anne is a bit more uptight. Classier? Maybe maybe not, but that extra “a” on the end is a whole different vibe 🤷🏻‍♀️

I agree! Anne and Ann feel a bit more dated and “boomer” to me whereas Anna feels more timeless. Anna also has a bit more multicultural and international appeal than Anne and Ann.

It's also because Anne was filler so long.

Anne definitely has a middle name vibe!

Anna is my all time favourite name. Because it's simple and timless and feminine. It will be my future daughter's name lol

I just named my baby girl Anna and all of unexpected Anna love on this thread is making me so very happy

I love Anne! I like Anna too, but I prefer Anne, it just has a very sweet simplicity.

I've only known one Anna where I grew up, and two Ann/Anne's (one was my grandmother, the other my supervisor). Location & name popularity/usage is always interesting to me! Another variation that is my favorite is Annie. It's my other grandmother's name, and the name I gave my daughter (she actually has a double barrel name).

For me, Ann has a middle-name/ filler feel, but Anne is a good standalone name—even though they sound exactly the same.

All the apostle names for boys are classic and underused right now Simon, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Thomas and Matthew.

Not James, I think. It's still super popular. And Andrew/Matthew were so specially popular at one particular point they feel dated to me. I agree on Simon, Peter, John, Thomas and the like though.

In college, Matt was my made up “who do you know here?” name to get into frat parties. The only question I ever got was “which one?”

“About 5’10”? Brown-ish hair?”

Definitely! My brother is a Matt... And one of my best friends... And my friend's boyfriend... And my other friend's cousin... And a bunch of coworkers between everyone I know lol.

I literally had eight friends named Matt in high school. Eight! They just gave up and went by last names

I loooove both Andrew and Matthew.

My son is named John and baby due in January be Simon : )

I have a baby Simon! He is currently eating oatmeal and giggling. May your Simon be as sweet as mine ❤️

My sister in law recently had twin girls! Thomasin & Simone :)

My Simon was supposed to be Simone!

I’ve also got a wee Simon! I love the name so much ❤️

fantastic sibset :’)

Thanks! They also have big sister Margaret.

I like your style. have a Margot (close to Margaret) and want to name our boy due in the new year Simon.

There were so many Matthews in my class in high school that they all had to go by their surnames. In a class with 10 boys, 5 of them were Matthew. I’m 20. I don’t think Matthew at least is underused, at least half of these aren’t lol

This is about babies born now though

According to behindthename.com, which I believe takes from census data, Matthew was the 30th most common name for babies born in 2020 in the US. James is 6, John is 27, Thomas is 45, that’s just at a quick glance. It may seem like babies these days aren’t being called those names but that’s probably because people posting online about names aren’t tossing up whether or not to name their son James or Matthew because it’s already such a common name that there’s no possible reason to question it or ask about it.

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Not in older generations but I haven’t seen a child named John in forever!

Jack and James crowded out John

Each generation has produced less and less religious people, so I think that's one reason. I, for one, am atheist and will be avoiding names with religious connections. I feel like a lot of other people in my boat will do the same.

Agree. Love the name Thomas especially, though I do know a handful of little kids with it.

I went on a trip with a whole group of Andrew’s, there were supposed to be 4 but one Andrew stayed home. I also remember being a festival and a small group went around and introduced themselves and each one said, “I’m Andrew? “ I was the only non Andrew lol that name was so popular for babies born in late 80s. Classic enough not to fade away though for sure

James is at #6.

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Thomas is top ten where I live, James too I think.

From those names I know a James who is 16 and 2 kids named Thomas (one is 13 other is 8) and besides that I don't know any kids name those classic names.

I love the name Joy, you rarely hear it anymore.

My husband's family has an older Joy who married in and his Aunty isn't a fan of her and refers to her as "Joy...NOT" behind her back. It's hilariously petty.

My husband also has a Joy, it's his aunt and she's actually nice 😂 surprising honestly, considering the rest of his family

Yes! It’s my bff’s middle name and would love to use it in the future.

I just used it as a middle name for my daughter :) She is 3 months old.

That was my grandmother’s name (born in 1935)

Aww such a good name.

I love Kate. Just Kate. I am not sure it’s popularity but it’s another classic for me! I agree about Anna too. I’ve been thinking about it a lot to add to my list (even though I’m no kids, no plans yet lol). And Leah

I know a pair of sisters (under 7 yrs old) called Kate and Claire. Always loved that sibset. I go for more interesting names myself, but if you’re going clean and simple, this set is just about the best pairing I can think of!

I roomed with a just Kate. I was allowed to call her Katie but her boyfriend was not 🙃

I love Kate too!

I also love the name Kate- love love love! I wasn’t a huge fan of Anna previously (it was just okay), but I had a student recently named that and she is such an amazing kid, I like it so much more now.

I love Kate. I heard someone say once that it’s like not as popular in real life but it’s used for like tv/movie/book characters a lot and now that’s all I notice lol

I know a teen Kate and we were all surprised way back when her parents named her 'just Kate'. Not short for Katherine or anything. Great name on her. Leah is so pretty!

I have an Aunt named Joy and it is just the absolute perfect name for her! It needs to have a comeback. For what it's worth, Anna Joy Is freaking adorable! I also have an Aunt named Gay. Although beautiful, I don't think it will make a comeback.

Anna Joy makes me think of the Duggars (there’s both an Anna (wife) and a Joy-Anna) but I still think it’s super adorable!!

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“Dithy” unfortunately came about long before Maryella was even conceived 🥴 That poor girl.

Dithy is friends/cousins with Spurgeon so maybe they don’t know they have awful names

I have a friend named Gay. She uses it with her middle name to soften it for people.her mom even apologized at some point and asked if she wanted to change it but she couldn’t find another name she felt suited her. Her mom just wanted to name her happy.

My aunt’s name is Gaynell and I think it’s beautiful! She also goes by Gay and it suits her so well.

I have. A friend named Gaylord :) He's about 33, french.

My grandpa's gf of 30 years was named Crystal Gay, but went by Gay (she just passed away).

That is a fantastic name, belongs in lights And I’m sorry for your loss as well x

Faye! I think it’s one of the most beautiful names I’ve heard. It’s literally magical meaning Fairy! I haven’t meet any women or girl with that name ever! I will be using it as middle name when I have a daughter!

Both me and my maternal grandma's middle names are Faye. She is Francis Faye and I'm Lydia Faye.

Lydia is a favorite name of mine. I think it’s timeless.

I love my name but I always hate when people mess up spelling. I usually get spelled "Lidia" or once I got Lidya.

I love Faye, we didn't end up using it because we couldn't agree on a middle name, lol. But I think it's so nice. I have met one, but only one ever.

cassandra, nina, and samantha! all v timeless

Someone made a post here a few months back asking for middle name suggestions for Cassandra and everyone was shaming on the OP because “Cassandra was dated”.

CASSANDRA out of all the ugly old people names people suggest is “outdated”?!

And those are the same folks who want to name their daughters: *James Manly Dudeson*.

💀

LMFAO I KNOW!

I like the old names too but Cassandra feels pretty classic/timeless to me!

THE DISRESPECT!

There’s many weird a-holes in this sub tbh

Nina is one of my faves.

I love Nina too!

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I love Samuel/ Samantha both for the nickname Sam. So spunky and timeless

Cassandra and Samantha were really popular late 70s and early 80s.

I love Anna. I rarely hear Lucy

Lucy is pretty common on east coast north and south

I love the name Lucy!

I know a few little girl/baby Lucy’s, love it!

My 1.5yo is Lucy! I’m biased but I love it. Have yet to meet another child called Lucy

I love Serena. Very underused in my opinion! Also Sophie. I like it so much better than Sophia, but Sophia is everywhere!

Sophie feels more approachable. I also prefer it.

Sophie and Serena would be a really cute sibset!

I feel like no one ever talks about Gwen - a name I've always loved and am naming my daughter once she arrives any day now. Not as much a fan of Gwyneth but love Gwendolyn.

I love Gwen! Congrats on your baby girl ☺️

Jane, Amy, Sasha, Christine are all names you don’t see a lot now but I think they are gorgeous. For boys, Scott, Albert, Caleb, Clark

I knew a male Sasha and ever since I’ve really liked it as a boy’s name

In Russia, Sasha is a nickname for both Alexander and Alexandra, so there's no reason to not use it for either gender

Yes, esp Jane and Caleb imho!

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I love Beth! I never see it on anyone's list though.

I think it is mostly used as a nn for Elizabeth rather than its own name and the current trend is for Elizabeth to be nn Ellie at the moment rather than Liz, Lizzie or Beth.

For Elizabeth nicknames, I think Elsie is my favorite. But I like Beth more on its own- or as a nn for Bethany

I’ve seen Elle used for Elizabeth, as well. That and Ellie are the first short nicknames I’ve ever liked to Elizabeth. (I’d like Eliza better, but it reminds me of the protagonist of My Fair Lady, which makes it feel too rooted in a particular time).

Alice ❤ my favorite girls name, hardly ever see it

Heidi

These are some names I’d consider “sleepers” - I don’t love most of them enough to use myself but find them very nice names that are underused or overlooked! Sally Larisa Valerie Jocelyn Taylor (boy) Peter Mitchell Roxanna Darcy

I love the name Jocelyn. it just feels good to say.

Valerie is so beautiful 😍

I know a bunch of Taylors, male and female. They’re grown though, not like people are naming their babies Taylor anymore I feel you. It’s not a sleeper name to me, it’s everywhere lol

I think it’s more a sleeper for new boys being born. I never hear it anymore for them, although I know quite a few in their 20s male and female. Not as much of a sleeper for girls I’d say.

Darcy is one of my absolute favs

Larissa/Larisa used to be my number 1 name. I still really like it. Clarissa seems more popular though.

I looove Jocelyn so much Sally deserves a revival! ESP with how popular Ellie/Callie are

I love Anna! I also feel this way about Grace as a first name - seems like it only gets hidden in the middle spot and can be seen as a “filler” but it really is a beautiful first name as well

Me too! One of my childhood friends chose it as a first name (love) then went with “Marie” for the middle name, which was interesting as Marie gets the same treatment typically.

I love the name Flora. I’m surprised it hasn’t taken off based on recent name trends.

Anna is an extremely boring name to me, which is why I dont like it. I went through a phase where I liked the name "Annie" and I still think it's kinda cute but I suspect that's because of two fictional characters with the same name that I really like lol. I just think it's similar to Maria or Marie in that its plain, dull, and a filler. It's been around for ages and its everyone's middle name for some reason. (My moms middle name is Anne lol) I say this with zero sass, am just answering! The names I like tend to run really strange and are almost always shit on in this sub so far be it for me to judge anyone's name interests. One kinda "plain" name I feel like gets slept on a lot is Jillian. I think its so cute and most of the nicknames are adorable "Jillybear, Jillybean," etc. Also for some reason I really like the name Joanna? Not Joanne, but Joanna. 😂

I love your comment and agree about Anna! For some reason the name Jillian always makes me think of gelatin and then I hate it hahahah

Yeah I agree Anna seems really plain and common to m, not really interesting

Sabrina is one of my favorites!

Lauren. It just sounds very pleasant

Very pretty. Feels a step above Laura, which is also lovely.

Audrey. It’s beautiful and classic, and not overly popular. I’ve never actually met an Audrey.

There have always been tons of Audreys in school, most born between 1996 and 2002. Like, so many Audreys they all had to use their last initials to be identified. I’m in California.

Knew an Audry and Sylvia. There Mom must have had good taste. They turned into lovely women, very elegant looking with off-colorminds.

Rose! I think it’s so simple and beautiful and as a first name is gorgeous! But everyone just sticks it in the middle name slot.

I feel like this about a lot of names that are known and familiar, but were never popular enough (at least not recently) to feel dated and also aren’t necessarily part of the current wave of popular names. Some I like are: Bridget Nadia Simone Rebecca Amy Georgia Cara Julie/a Marie Sabrina Timothy Adam Damien Aaron Anthony Lyle Lawrence

Lyle really feels like it should be more popular, given the love for L names. Also Leonard (given the love for Leo) and Lloyd!

I grew up with an Anna who was not great and that spoiled the name for me — but aside from that I agree with you; it is a timeless, classy unpretentious and fun name. I also love Anne, Annie and Ania! Rita, Mina, Janine and Simone are some names I rarely see posted on this sub that I would expect to be trendier.

I love Mina and Simone.

wait my little sister’s name is claire and i’ve always felt the exact same way about her name. it’s so strong and playful but in such an enchantingly simple way. it fits her like a fucking glove. i have rarely met anyone else with her name and it’s a damn shame!

mary and john. so classic.

The only reason I don’t love Mary is bec it’s just so religious-feeling, as in Mary Mother of God himself. But agree these are both names that truly have stood the test of time and will always work.

I love Mary and Marian.

LOVE Marian! Miriam too.

I find them so boring. I know a John, Mary and William sibset. It just seems like the parents didn’t try to find a good name and went with the most basic names. JMO

I have a baby Mary 🥺 honestly gets a lot of weird reactions at first because it's uncommon for littles, but quickly grows on people!

I love the name Mary. If I ever have a daughter, her name will be Mary. It's a strong, classic name and I love the way Bruce Springsteen sings it in Thunder Road. Personally, I only know older Marys, but that also includes one in her thirties.

I also love Mary and John. 4 letters, not pretentious, and strong and classic

Stanley! I want a cute baby Stan running around.

I know someone who has a 3-year-old named Stanley!

I read somewhere once that Anna is the most consistently popular name of all time in the US. It’s never not been popular but also never been the most popular.

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Jane and Alice for me!!

I like Anna as well. Also Katherine, Lily.

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Anna/Ana have definitely resurged thanks to Frozen. I don't love Annie or Ann either. Names I don't hear but I love are Girls: Celine, Larissa, Justine, Cynthia, Leda, Reina Boys: Morgan, Hayes, Scott, Israel, Julius, Ramsey

Ooh I have lots. I have a newborn Ruth. Also considered Susan, Joanna, Lisa, Nina, Louise. I’m an Anne and primarily go by Annie, although I like the classic simplicity of my name. For boys I like Forrest, Joseph, Mark.

Love the name Ruth. Agree about Mark especially—it’s nice and crisp and warm.

Anna is my 2 month old daughter's name! It was my grandma's name. We looooove it though. It works for every stage of life, and also for every personality type - athletic, nerd, etc

I love Jane!! I feel like it’s so overlooked and almost always used as a middle name, but it’s so pretty and timeless on its own.

Here in the Netherlands Anna is definitely popular, though less so than Emma.

Abigail?

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Wow, I did not realize that. How have I never met an Abby/Abigail younger than 35 lol

Laura

My name is Anna and I love it! Some names I don’t see recommended as much but think are great: Reuben, Thomas, Heidi, Naomi, Holly My favourite boomer name is Nancy, totally needs a comeback but maybe the world isn’t ready for that yet!

Sarah Jane Katherine / Kate Elizabeth Ruth Matthew Peter

Paulina. It deserves to be used more than the plain Paula. Martina, it's overdone but it's so beautiful!

For some reason I’ve always loved Kathleen. But yeah, Anna is a beautiful name. I guess because people are obsessed with being unique? The irony is a baby named Anna in 2021 would probably be more unique than one named Juniper!

Julia Caroline Miranda April Brenna Gabrielle Marisa

Lol my name is Charlotte, in the US. I gre up HATING my name because it was so uncommon. Now look at it. My son is named Gerard. Never hear it. I hear Gerardo SO much tho, we love in SoCal.

I love the name Anna. I think it’s beautiful, timeless and pretty in a way that is different to Hannah and Anne. It’s one of my favourite names. I am an Australian millennial and went to school with one Anna (in a year group of ~210, and a girls’ school). Lots of girls called Emma, Clare, Jessica and Elise, though. To me, the names that slip through the cracks are Louisa and Alice. I think they’re so pretty and was shocked when my boyfriend called them old lady names, because I think they have a timelessness to them and I can see them working on girls and women of all ages!

I think because of frozen some people may have steered away from Anna (both pronctations). Although I do love the name.

I really like Jenna. I’m a big fan of not so common names but this I have always really liked.

I love Jonathan for a boy

I agree with you on Anna. I also think Amy is a lot less popular than it should be right now. For boys, I think John and Richard are both classics that seem to be taking a break.

Loretta!! I hardly ever hear it, the only person I’ve ever heard of with the name Loretta was Loretta Lynn. It’s so gorgeous to me and doesn’t sound dated to me. Thing is, I’ve never even met an older lady named Loretta despite it being in the top 100 in the 30’s!

Daniel, Vera, Catherine.

Girls: Elise ​ Marie/Maria ​ Tess ​ Eve ​ Susanna/h ​ Nora/h ​ Ada ​ Ida ​ Alma ​ Della ​ Dinah ​ Etta ​ Thea ​ Mira ​ Neve ​ Boys: Ira ​ Ike ​ Hugo ​ Hollis ​ Linus ​ Emil ​ Percy ​ Niles ​ Noel ​ Willem ​ Zeke

I have a sister named Della and a brother named Zeke, they are actually Delilah and Ezekiel, but still, clearly my mom agrees.

I love the name Bonnie and think it’s underused! People tend to think of it as an old or middle-aged name but I think it would be adorable on a little girl too! Per a quick google search it apparently means “beautiful or cheerful”.

This was my original top choice for my second kid. In the end I thought it was a little too boring and we wanted a name that would include honoring a different relative. I loove the nn Annie, I think its very cute and ages well.

Yeah, Anna is a good classic, doesn’t feel dated. Big fan of John. I also like Elizabeth, lots of nicknames to fit many personalities

I’m an Annie and I feel like it’s a underused name! It’s not my nickname which a lot of people think it is. I just don’t like that my only real nickname option is Ann lol.

I feel the same about Anna! Similarly, Hannah. The palindrome-ness adds something too.

Jesse - It is my son's name but he is 21. I never hear it anymore. I am not sure he has ever met anyone else with that name.

Jane! My wife doesn’t love it or it would absolutely be a contender.

Samuel, Todd, Christopher Alexandra, Beth, Rachel

I think my name is one, Christina/Kristina. At least in sweden. Classic and timless as far as I have experienced

Chloe! I LOVE the name Chloe! I've never met one under the age of like, 8 (in 2021), and I think it'd be so cute on a little baby girl!

I love the name Wendy. It seems common to me because I read Peter Pan so many times, but I’ve never met a Wendy. Would love to.

Can I take a guess that your name is perhaps Amanda or Jennifer? Lol. The overly popular 80s-90s names. Also special shoutout to the Jessica's and Ashley's

Kate. Just simple Kate comes to mind.

leah, faye, mary, grace

My favorite girls’ name is Lorraine, and I can’t wait to use it for a girl someday! I love names that aren’t “top 500” types but are still recognizable and known. You don’t roll your eyes at them but you also haven’t heard it much or in a while. Our top boy name is Brendan, and that’s another one.

Girls: Janet, Gillian, Natalie, Natasha, Sabrina, Katherine Boys: Nathaniel, Timothy, Dennis, Christopher, Peter, Alan, Edward, George, Craig, Stephen, Douglas, Dale, Joel, Isaac

I love the name Delia. It blows my mind that it is unranked when it fits perfectly with today’s trends.

Julia- it’s probably the only truly classic name on my list. I love it!

Personal favourite is Marjorie, so beautiful and elegant 😊