Comments on: 70′S BABY NAMES: Beyond Tiffany & Todd

By: Michelle Renee

Michelle Renee — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:58:40 +0000

I think “Michelle” is a 70’s name that is ready for a revival! Maybe Michelle Obama can help us out! If the name doesn’t make a comeback, then when I’m an old lady, Michelle will be an “old lady” name … like Martha or Gertrude.

By: Emmy Jo

Emmy Jo — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:30:15 +0000

My husband and I have Sonia on our shortlist for this baby (due in January). He saw it on someone else’s list and really liked it. Even though its popularity peaked in the 70’s, it sounds very current. It’s a two-syllable A-ender, plus it’s a variant of the highly-ranked Sophia, and it has the popular long O sound. It doesn’t quite fit with the usual Victorian style of the other names we’re considering (e.g., Clara, Eleanor, Adeline, Celia), but I think it’s sweet.

I don’t think it’s fair to classify names as 70’s names unless they peaked in the 70’s. Names like Marjorie and Dorothy might be ready for a style revival, but they belong on a list of 20’s names, not 70’s names.

By: Filipa

Filipa — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:50:22 +0000

To Linda:

There are specific rules regarding names here. The names must be portuguese, and must follow portuguese Onomastics. We could never use Maçã (Apple) or Giovanna (because it’s Italian). Even combinations can or cannot be approved!!
Luckily we are a small country, otherwise we would all have the same names..
At least our kids won’t be embarrassed by weird names (and names aren’t usually misspelled)…

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:54:34 +0000

We have a 10 month old named Pete and we love the name! Everyone else seems to be a big fan of his name too! Now I am pregnant with number 2 and we are trying to find a name with the same guy-next-door feel to it.

By: teabee

teabee — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:09:18 +0000

I like Alma, Felicia, Tamara, Sonja (I prefer the Sonia spelling) and Rochelle (I’m Rachelle and I’ve been happy with this name–the one difficulty was pronunciation, which would be easier with the o). I think I like a lot of 70’s names because they’re familiar but underused now, and I didn’t grow up with too many in my classes ’cause I’m an 80’s kid. I take that back–there were a ton of kids with the top 70’s names in my classes but very few with the lower-ranking 70’s names. I like less of the boys’ names here but Glen, Kirk, and Neil are alright. Out of these lists, I knew a couple Tims and a ton of Tinas but that’s pretty much it.

By: Em

Em — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:13:28 +0000

We just named our son Kevin. We liked that it’s not an out-there unusual name but it isn’t at the top of the popularity lists right now. Everyone has liked it so far!

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:58:28 +0000

I’d also say that most of the above strike me more as “modern classics” than anything else. There are still a lot of Kimberlys, Amandas, Melissas and Nicoles and Lisa seems like a perfectly nice name after hearing of tons of Kaylees.

My sister-in-law and a first cousin are both pregnant. Brandon is on my sister-in-law’s list and Leopold is on my cousin’s. I think Brandon would have a much easier life. Leopold made my mother burst out laughing in sheer horror and surprise.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:52:32 +0000

I went to school with some of the above. Tina was a very nice, quiet girl with the neatest handwriting in the class; Marsha was a pretty girl with a great smile and good grades; Billie was the bad girl who was always smoking behind the building and getting in cat fights with other girls; Pam sat next to me in band and got straight A’s and was a little bit prissy; Sheila’s twin sister was Sandra; Tamara went by Tammy and was also a little wild. Pauline was my best friend’s middle name. It’s funny how the names seemed to suit them.

Other girls in my grade were Wendi, Lisa, Jane and Joan (twins), Carol, Shannon, Melanie, Catherine (always known as Cathy), Shareen (probably a “creative” version of Sharon, her mom’s name), Julie and two Angelas. The boys were Darren, Mark, Gregory (Greg), Damon, Michael (Mike), Matthew (Matt), Robert, Scott, and Thomas (two of them.) The class behind me had three girls named Amy and the class ahead of me had two girls named Melissa, both called Missy. For some reason, Amy usually had a sister named Lisa.

By: linda

linda — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:18:15 +0000

Filipa, are you in Portugal? Curious as to the specific rule that would eliminate Alma?

By: Filipa

Filipa — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:09:46 +0000

Love Alma. Means Soul, in portuguese. It’s a very peaceful name, too bad it’s not allowed to use in this country!! stupid rules!