A friend just had a baby and called it Atticus.
I don't know about you, but I think that's appalling. Whatever happened to ordinary names? Not that one should strive to be ordinary, but one shouldn't go out of one's way to be extraordinary either. You either is your ain't. You can't become it or it looks forced. Like those people who say: 'I'm an eccentric'. They're not of course, because a true eccentric has no idea they're eccentric. In fact, they probably think they're rather ordinary.
So back to names. When I was at school - and most of you were too - the class consisted of Susan, Peter, Richard, Stuart, Diane, Jonathan, Andrew, David, Alison, Caroline, Simon etc. The most unusual name was Sian. Now they're 10 a penny.
These names have all but died out. Can you imagine someone introducing their baby Paul? Or Raymond? Names like Derek, Clive, Norman, Rodney, Gordon and Tim are a thing of the past.
About 25 years ago it was Sophie, Emma, Jack and James mania. Now we've moved onto 'servants' names like Stanley, Alfie, Ruby, Lily, Maisie, Cuthburt, etc. It's like living in Upstairs Downstairs.
So once this revival dies out, what next? Can we see a return to fashion of names like Sharon or Tracey, Perry or Warren? Actually, I think they're quite groovy Sixties names and one day will return.
But I doubt we'll ever see another Myra.
