Baby name fashions in the US have diverged considerably since the US declared independence hundreds of years ago, argues a European resident. That sparked a flood of comments, with people sharing British and Australian names that are super rare for Americans to give their children.
Note: Some quotes in this piece have been lightly edited for grammar.
Totally American Monikers
So, what exactly constitutes an American name? The original poster said presidential names such as Taylor and Madison, Celtic names like Ethan and Kyle, names ending in “y” or “den,” slightly obscure Hebrew-sounding names like Ezra and Elijah, and some nicknames like Chuck are very popular, but only in the States.Â
Say What?
One American commenter got a confusing baby announcement from their Australian internet friend. “She said, ‘Baby Hamish is here!’ I responded, ‘What’s a Hamish?’ I thought it was like some sort of baby product she’d ordered.”
Keeping It Fresh
One person said they’ve never heard of anyone under 70 called Clive, let alone an American one. “To me, that always sounds like a vegetable,” another commented. “Like chives and cloves, had a stinky baby.”
Posh SpiceÂ
“I’ve never met an American-born Rupert,” one commenter said. A European responded, “Rupert is very much a name for posh people.”
As British as It GetsÂ
Nigel is quite possibly the most stereotypically British name out there, and yet you rarely see it in the US. “It’s so absent here that it stands out very far to us,” says an American.Â
Just Like MagicÂ
One commenter said Neville is a rare name for Americans. “Harry Potter really sealed that one for my generation.”Â
Class in SessionÂ
Alastair is another unique name that garnered attention from commenters. “I love that name,” one person said. “We lived in the UK for a while, and my sons had a schoolmate called that.”
Quintessentially BritishÂ
“Alfie is the quintessential British man’s name to me now,” one commenter said. “I’ve never heard of an American Alfie, at least not any time in the last 70 years.” Another person concurred, “Alfie is very British and pops up in so many British shows and films but also very not American.”
All the Young DudesÂ
One American chimed in and said, “Lachlan seems to be popular among young Australian dudes, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it here.”
American No MoreÂ
Unless we’re talkin’ the popular breakfast dish, one US commenter says, “All Benedicts lost the right to be American back in 1776.”
Abnormal Nicknames
One European made the observation that, for example, nicknaming people named Gary or Sharon (or similar) “Gaz” and “Shaz” would be totally out of left field for an American. “I’ve also never seen an American Jeremy called Jez for short,” they said.
Take a Chill PillÂ
One person said, “Imogen” is an interesting name you don’t hear much in America. “Imogen always sounded like a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s name to me.”
Rare HerbsÂ
Basil is known more commonly as a household herb than a name of our peers in America. Another commenter agrees, “I’ve never met a Basil here in the US.”
Un-paw-pularÂ
“I don’t think I’ve seen a Boris,” one Massachusetts native remarked. Another person replied, “The only Boris I’ve ever seen is a cat.”Â
Flower PowerÂ
Though one European said there are truly no names they can’t imagine an American kid having at this point, some seem more common in the UK, like Saskia, Gemma, Poppy, and Tamsin. “Yes, Poppy is a very British girl name to me,” another commenter agrees.
Source: Reddit.Â
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