Could someone please explain the sudden popularity of Wren to me?

[vivtaliesin]

Well, here is an answer coming from someone who chose the name Wren for her daughter!

When trying to come up with options for our twins, we were looking for names that were funky, feminine and fresh, with definite ties to the family and an awesome nickname. We felt that Wren fit this description pretty closely. Definitely funky, definitely fresh, and while some may not see it as feminine, the soft flowing, single syllable Wren fit our criteria. Plus, to feminize it slightly more, we chose the uberfeminine Charlotte Amity as the middle name. And as for family connections? It honored our sweet Lawrence (see the -wren- hiding in there?). Plus, with the killer nickname of Birdie, we were set. So that is how we came to the decision to name on of our daughters Wren.

I think many of the reasons listed above could be a reason for its sudden popularity. It is distinctly funky, has a fresh sound (without being to uncommon), and its soft flow makes it feminine. The added value of being a nature name gives it that extra spunk that is so wanted these days as well.

In addition, we really really found it cool that Wren's name could also pay homage to Sir Christopher Wren, the famous English architect, a subject my husband and I are truly passionate about.

I hope this gives some insight into why some people might be loving the name! We are so thrilled that our little Birdie has this name, not other name would have fit her the way 'Wren' does. Plus the number of compliments we get on her name is out of control!

xo Viv

[blairx]

I think I fall in the land of in between being way too old for it and yet not having any kids who were the right age for it either. I was more the era of Clarissa Explains it All and Saved By the Bell. Sorry.

I've heard of Lizzie McGuire but never seen it, and I definitely don't remember anything about Even Stevens. I thought I did... and it was The Adventures of Pete and Pete. lol.

I'm so old.

Great taste in television.

I loved Pete and Pete. Thinking about these shows in the context of a naming forum reminds me that there was a weird name on Pete and Pete: Nona, which I find way too close to the Italian word for grandmother (unless it's short for, say, Winona) but others might find adorable.

And then there's the whole issue of giving two brothers the same name. Lol.

[bmm]

Funny I was wondering the same thing!

But I don't think Wren is that popular. It's just mentioned a lot on naming boards.

[gblondie]

I adore Wren, but I think of it as a middle name only. I don't believe it has enough substance on it's own. I think it's become popular because a lot of people are turning to longer, more unique first names. Wren is excellent at filling in the middle. I have names I don't get either, and wish someone could explain: Ayelet (this is lace, with an a or eye-yell-it), Coral (coral is the skeletons of dead sea life)

[meyers2408]

Ren is also the name of the main character on Footloose. Kevin Bacon's character. Maybe Wren is the more feminine version?? I don't know. I personally do like it, I love the way it reads but am board with the way it sounds. Ren. Maybe that is why it is being used for a middle name. My mom is a huge bird watcher and has always tried to talk me into the name. But like I said I think it looks beautiful and sweet but it sounds... boring like its short for something to me. If I ever used it I would have it go with a perfectly flowing MN and call her by both most of the time.

[shellezbellez]

I love the name Wren because it's soft and sweet and sort of old-fashioned and sort of simple and earthy in a non-obtrusive way. I like the association with the Jenny-wren. In one of my favorite books, Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier, the heroine (Sorcha) adopts the name "Jenny" for a while and the man who names her that chooses it because she reminds him of a Jenny-wren: small and brown, industrious, sweet-natured, and beautiful in a wild and plain sort of way. My name is also Jennifer, and I've been called Jenny-wren, so it's sort of for me, too, in a way.

I agree with pp that Lark is much too harsh and too "frivolous" (i.e., "she did it for a lark") when compared to Wren. I don't really like other bird names at all, though. Robin and Piper are okay, but nms; Kestrel is really cool, but a little harsh for my ears. Raven is nice, but it kind of feels like it's trying too hard. Other names, like Cardinal, Oriole, Crow, Owl...they just don't seem to work as human names. And I think Starlings are horrible birds, so I'm not really sure why the name is getting so popular. Really, they're evil!