Theodore is trendy? What do you define as trendy?

austenreader85

Noticed a post in a thread below (the one asking about what makes a name mispelled etc.)

Someone said they're over the Jack/Henry/Theodore trend. 

This is DS's name so I guess I pay attention to these things.

According to the SSA it jumped 30 spots last year to 231 (which did make me eek when I saw).  70 in the last 10 years and actually only 20 in the last 20 years.  It's lowest point was 313 in the year 2004.  Highest was 30 in 1904 (go figure). 

Henry was ranked 57 last year, up 10 points from 2010.  It's highest was 8 in 1887 and it's lowest was 143 in 1991.

Jack has been 45 for the last two years.  Highest was 14 in 1930 and lowest is 179 in 1984.

I don't mean this as a call out, this poster and I probably just define trendy differently.  It just got me curious as to how you all would define trendy, specifically if there are numbers to support your example.  Something that moves up the ranks fast?  Comes out of no where?  Stays in the top ten for several years and then falls quickly?

austenreader85

While I see that Theodore is getting more popular, and now doubt piggybacking on other old fashioned names that are coming back in popularity I would never call it trendy because a) it has an incredibly long history and has been common enough and b) is still so much more less popular.  I might put it in a watchful waiting category because I feel like 30 spots is a lot to jump in one year!  Go figure, we have had the name picked out since 2003, and it's been on my list since probably 1996. 

An example of trendy to me would be Isabella.  While it did fall to number two last year it's been number one before.  Between 1949 and 1990 it did not appear above 1,000 according to the SSA.  In 1990 it appears at 895.  In 1948 it was 996.  And in 1880, the first year of recording, it was 215.  Such a shame too because I think it's beautiful but so overdone, especially with all the other belle and ella names.

chibride4

I saw PP's comment about this, too, and raised my eyebrows a bit. Personally, I wouldn't consider Theodore trendy. It *might* fit into the "old person" name trend, but that's about it. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if it rises significantly in the popularity ranks. It has the same appeal as names like Henry, Oliver and William with nice nn potential (Ted, Teddy, Theo).

hgfmom

The first thing I thought was that it may become trendy because of the 50 shades books (Teddy), but its still too early to say.

I think names like Theodore, Jack, Henry, William, Charles etc...are timeless. So, although you may always hear them, it doesn't mean you'll have 3 in one class.

kwinkle1980

I was the one who posted that, and did not mean to call it trendy...I even mentioned in the post tthat I would not call it trendy.I guess what I meant is that some names are traditional but popular. Those names have long been popular, however I did not grow up with Anyone by those names.

Nowadays I know seven baby Jacks, three little Henrys and several Theodores...so in my area those names are very common, much like Rebecca, Michael, and Matthew were when I was a kid.

They are great names that have stood the test of time, but in reference to the OP's poll, I was saying that I prefer traditional names but am tired of a few that are popular. Sorry, I had explained that poorly in my post! 

kwinkle1980

burp

Todd&Laura

I have friends with children named Jack and Theodore. I'm not saying those names are trendy, but they are becoming more popular. There was also at least one Theodore in my hospital baby group.

this decaf life

Jack, Henry & Theodore all have history behind them so they're classics IMO. There is a HUGE difference between popular and trendy & I don't believe those names should be considered trendy. 

 

queenbone

That was curious to me too.  When I named my son Theodore in '07 it wasn't very popular and didn't get a lot of love or mention on the boards. (although I don't think there was a BNB at the time, it might have still been nest boards.)

It might be trending up, but I wouldn't consider it trendy until it has shot way up into the top 50.  I think Theo on it's own might be becoming trendy considering the NN Ted which was much more common in my and previous generations.

I took her example of those names as ones that she sees favorably discussed  here.

plunderb

I agree with what has been said here ? I would not classify Theodore as trendy based on its national numbers, though it does partake of the whole "old man/old lady" name trend.

That said, I can see how someone might perceive Theodore as trendy if they live in certain areas. I'm in Boston, and Theodore is a top-100 name in MA. I'd be willing to bet that that popularity is concentrated in my immediate vicinity, so it seems even more popular. Theodore is top-100 in 4 states (WY, MN, MA, VT), and ranked #63 in DC. So if you feel that you've met more than your fair share of Theodores, you might just live in one of these areas. States like MA and VT are also places where other old man names like Oliver and Henry are super popular, so that may heighten the overall effect.

austenreader85

kwinkle1980:

I was the one who posted that, and did not mean to call it trendy...I even mentioned in the post tthat I would not call it trendy.I guess what I meant is that some names are traditional but popular. Those names have long been popular, however I did not grow up with Anyone by those names.

Nowadays I know seven baby Jacks, three little Henrys and several Theodores...so in my area those names are very common, much like Rebecca, Michael, and Matthew were when I was a kid.

They are great names that have stood the test of time, but in reference to the OP's poll, I was saying that I prefer traditional names but am tired of a few that are popular. Sorry, I had explained that poorly in my post! 

Sorry I misunderstood then!  I really did mean for this thread to be more about how people define trendy versus just calling out that post.  Interesting that many people know so many Theodores!  In my area very few people are going with old fashioned names.  I think it might be different across the whole state, but that would have me getting into SES issues and the demographics of my state which is really just too deep.  Within my specific group of friends though the names are more uncommon/modern than common/traditional.  Others in my area are definitely going with trendy names.

melody921

IMO, Theodore is popular, not trendy.