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Help[Opinions] Agatha
Kind of an odd question, but do you think Agatha's going to become really popular? Like the next Lillian? It doesn't even chart now, but I think people are starting to warm to it.
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If you clear your throat violently, you get a sound like the Scottish ch, only worse. OK? Where I live there's a very pretty lake in wooded mountains - a dam, actually - called Agatha but pronounced ah-CHAH-tah. A friend of mine took some light reading into the maternity ward with her once, and a friendly nurse commented on her choice: "Do you like as-CHAH-tah Christie?"
Not used here ...
Not used here ...
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I don't think it will become as popular as Lillian -- that is, I hope it doesn't! I want it all for myself!
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It went from 10 uses in England and Wales in 1998 to 48 uses in 2008, so I think it is becoming slightly more popular here, fitting in with the 'old names' trend. But I'd be very surprised if it made the top 100, unless it's used by a celebrity or on a very popular character in a book or film. People seem to find the Ag-syllable ugly, and the saint connection doesn't help: googling images of St Agatha is seriously unpleasant business!
I personally love it. But, like RowenaRavenclaw said - name nerds do.
I personally love it. But, like RowenaRavenclaw said - name nerds do.
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I suppose you all are right. Some names probably aren't going to come back except in certain small groups.
And why I felt the need to google pictures of St. Agatha I don't know. I'm kind of turned off from the name after seeing all of those paintings of her having her nipples tweezed off. Yuck.
And why I felt the need to google pictures of St. Agatha I don't know. I'm kind of turned off from the name after seeing all of those paintings of her having her nipples tweezed off. Yuck.
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No, it does have a cute, mainstream nickname like Lily that Lillian has. Aggie might appeal to those who like Addie and Abby but want something less common. I do see it increasing some in popularity, but I don't think it will ever be popular.
I'm in the U.S., btw. I am not sure where you are. Lillian isn't terribly popular here, although Lily and other similar names are.
I'm in the U.S., btw. I am not sure where you are. Lillian isn't terribly popular here, although Lily and other similar names are.
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I think you are using a skewed sample of Agatha's popularity. Ask a namenerd if they like Agatha and you'll probably get a response that goes like this: "Yes! I love Agatha! It's so mysterious and historic. And the nickname Aggie is so lovely and makes Agatha all the more accessible! Plus, she'll probably be the only one in her class!"
However, ask a non-namenerd what they think of Agatha and you'll probably get a response like this: "..........You're kidding right? That is so epically ugly, it's not even funny! Why would you do that to your kid? Why not name them something normal, like Kehytexlynn, you know, with a silent X?"
I think you see my point, but let me spell it out for you, anyway: Namenerds are a very small part of the population; a name that is popular on the boards is most likely not popular in real life.
Of course, that said, I could be completely wrong and Agatha could skyrocket in popularity tomorrow (you know, all the parents of the world unite and name their newborns Agatha -- even the boys). And, I do think Agatha has a better chance of a comeback in the UK, where they seem less afraid of the "meat and potatoes" names (as Bear put it) than the US.
However, ask a non-namenerd what they think of Agatha and you'll probably get a response like this: "..........You're kidding right? That is so epically ugly, it's not even funny! Why would you do that to your kid? Why not name them something normal, like Kehytexlynn, you know, with a silent X?"
I think you see my point, but let me spell it out for you, anyway: Namenerds are a very small part of the population; a name that is popular on the boards is most likely not popular in real life.
Of course, that said, I could be completely wrong and Agatha could skyrocket in popularity tomorrow (you know, all the parents of the world unite and name their newborns Agatha -- even the boys). And, I do think Agatha has a better chance of a comeback in the UK, where they seem less afraid of the "meat and potatoes" names (as Bear put it) than the US.
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I love Agatha! I know of two little Agathas, both known as Aggie about 3/4 years old. But I'm in the UK so it will probably be more popular here than the USA. I think it has the potential to get into the England and Wales top 100 but for the US I don't think it would get close to Lillian's popularity.
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I see Agatha becoming more popular, but not as much as Lillian.
Lillian is benefitting from Lily's extraordinary popularity. Plus, the "L" sounds are easy on the ear for most people, at least here in the U.S. Names with a hard "g" sound in them, however, have a harder time rising in popularity.
Personally, I prefer the meat and potatoes, earthy goodness of a hard "g" sound. And once I saw "Nanny McPhee" and baby Agatha / Aggie I was sold on the name.
My stock combination is Agatha Bluebell because I want to break out of the Agatha-is-so-serious staightjacket I'm in.
I hope I'm wrong and Agatha becomes a lot more popular. Perhaps it wil do better in the U.K. :-)
Lillian is benefitting from Lily's extraordinary popularity. Plus, the "L" sounds are easy on the ear for most people, at least here in the U.S. Names with a hard "g" sound in them, however, have a harder time rising in popularity.
Personally, I prefer the meat and potatoes, earthy goodness of a hard "g" sound. And once I saw "Nanny McPhee" and baby Agatha / Aggie I was sold on the name.
My stock combination is Agatha Bluebell because I want to break out of the Agatha-is-so-serious staightjacket I'm in.
I hope I'm wrong and Agatha becomes a lot more popular. Perhaps it wil do better in the U.K. :-)
This message was edited 12/15/2010, 9:57 AM
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I don't think it's going to become popular anytime soon, but i love it with the nickname Aggie :)
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