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[Opinions] Re: "American" names according to a name book of mine (will finish later)
Some of these names sound almost over-the-top stereotypical American.The following names I do think sound genuinely American:
Archer
Arlan
Arnel
Beck
Beckon
Birchall - this kinda has a 19th century vibe to it
Bishop
Boyd - as a MN
Caldwell - surnames ending in -well always made me think American even though they're found in other English-speaking countries too
Case
Colt - definitely. America's the only country I can think of that names kids after guns.
Colter
Cord
Cordelle - this one sounds specifically African-American
Dack
Deston
Devlin
Farrin
Finch - probably among hipsters (as if Atticus wasn't bad enough)
Fleet - see below
Fleetwood - I could see counterculture types using it with Fleet as a nickname
Garrison - definitely due to Garrison Keillor
Guthrie - probably more familiar as a surname, but I could see Americans using it if it's a family surname
Hiatt
Holt
Hoyte - Hoyt seems to have had usage in the US, so why not?
Hunt - as a nickname for Hunter
Jaidon - no questioning this one's American-ness!
Jaxsen - see above
Jerran
Jevin
Kodiak
Marland
Pardee
Parish
Park - I could see this as a nickname for Parker.
Phoenix - definitely
Rider - definitely
Rush - Rush Limbaugh pretty much cemented this name as stereotypical American
Shawnel - this sounds like an African-American name too
Sterling
Stoddard
Tandon
ZebulunOn the other hand, I'd disagree with these:Bear - actually, I'd say this is more British due to its usage by British celebrities.
Brazier - doesn't even sound like a name. Also too close to brassiere.
Brenner- this is a German surname. Despite there being millions of German-Americans, I've never heard any using German surnames as first names.
Callister
Camas
Corridon
Cramer - surname only
Dugan - surname only
Duran - it's a common Spanish surname. Spanish-speakers don't use surnames as given names.
Free
Jededish - Jedediah sounds very blatantly American, although more Puritan, southern, or Quiverfull than mainstream American
Kelby
Kivi
La Conner - this seriously sounds like someone making fun of African-American names, plus I think in the US Connor is more popular among white parents than black parents
Lawyer - I think it's too common of a word for Americans to regard it as a name
Leeson
MacAllister
Olsen
Pepper - Americans would probably regard it as a dog or cat name
Smokey - maybe as a nickname or a pet name, but I can't see an American legally calling their kid Smokey. It's also the name of Smokey the Bear, so people will probably think of that too, especially if they live in the country.
Tandie
Tanier
Tannis
Teger
Telfor
Trail
Trout - a fish.
Tupper
Turk - this is an ethnic group name, although I've seen fictional characters with Turk as a nickname
Verlin
Webb
Wesken
Wray
ZethusNow going on to the girls. These I'd agree sound American:Arizona - since it's a state
Arnett
Bambi
Belva
Brice - on a girl, definitely American
Caledonia - probably more in the 1800s than today
Canada
Carlana
Carter - it's already used on girls in the US
Chandelle
Chandler
Chaplin
Danacia
Danean - I always thought invented ene/een/ean names sounded American
Darah
Darenda
Darren
Darsell
Ionia - since Ione used to be popular in the US, I could see this being used too
Javonna
Kanessa
Krislyn
Kyle - I've seen it used on American women, such as Kyle Richards
La Dawn
Lavita
Lazette
Mason
Maxy
Montana
Nevada
Oneida
Prairie
Randelle
Royce
Sahara
Shalana
Shaleen
Shasta
Spencer - Kelsey Grammer's daughter is named Spencer
Treasure
Tuesday
Tyana
Velvet
Venice
Vinette
Wallace - never heard Wallace on a girl, but I wouldn't be surprised if some American parents used it
Wednesday
Windy
WyettaThese I'd disagree:Alcinda - has a bit of a late 18th/early 19th century vibe
Artia - this sounds like someone trying to feminize Artie
Baines - surname only
Breqlynn
Brylieva
Cameo
Charney
Chesna - makes me think of the Pokemon Chesnaught
Enfinity
Jennara
Joceile
Karas
Kierce - this is a name?
Lawn - too common of a word for even Americans to consider
Marcenya
Mare
Mishaila
Miskaela
Monaco - country name only
Neida
Pacifica - this is a Spanish name. I could see Hispanic parents using it.
Paradise
Parish
Pepper - cat or dog name
Philene
Tanadia
Tarja
Tauna
Terris
Tishra
Tivian
Tupper
Venetia - sounds more British than American to me, because of Venetia Stanley
Vienna

This message was edited 8/12/2018, 7:39 AM

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La Conner is a town in Washington.
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