The Name Trend

Trend Research Article

Whenever you have time or are bored, take a look at the above link.  The author makes a great point about the trend factor of a name.  Those names that are fast to rise are also quite fast to fall.  For instance, my own name follows this trend.  Kristi rose quickly to become quite popular in the 70s and 80s, then fell into obscurity by 2000.  So, why does this happen?

Well, names that become popular so quickly end up being viewed as trite and overused (which is the case most of the time).  Nevaeh is a good example of this phenomenon.  Although it is still popular, I wouldn't be surprised if it suddenly fell away and was no longer used frequently like it is now.  It almost seems that name trends becomes an issue of class, as well.  When I hear the name Nevaeh now, I think that it is the name was chosen by a very young mother or a lower income mother.  When I hear the name Addison, I think that the name was chosen by upper class parents, possibly in their 30s or older.  Neither of these are bad things, but just what seems to be true.

Then there are those who try to create the trends or beat them altogether.  I am closest to this group.  I like to pick a name that isn't very popular but is still accessible.  Many name elitists take it to the point that they pick super obscure names that hardly anyone would even consider.  Or they choose names that were popular a very long time ago and are due to make a comeback.  One such name that I've seen becoming more and more popular is Beatrice.  Now, these names do not trend quickly like Kristi or Nevaeh.  They are names that have a more classic feel to them, giving them the ability to come back into fashion.

How do you fit into the trend?  Do you choose names that are popular classics?  Or perhaps a more obscure name that is unlikely to be overused?  Or do you go for the super name that rose so quickly to popularity that it must be a good one ;)?