Brenda?

Girl Names
1

I know it’s very mid-century, soccer-mom territory, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the name [name_f]Brenda[/name_f], and am considering shortlisting it, however I have a few reservations.

As stated with my Donna thread, I love dated names, as anyone can likely tell from my signature, so [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] being “dated” doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

The women I’ve known named [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] have all been lovely - particularly, I had a babysitter when I was very very young who I was close to with the name - she’d be in her mid-thirties now, and she’s immediately who I think of.

To me, the name fits perfectly with my list, but I’m a bit concerned with outside perceptions.

Since the “[name_f]Karen[/name_f]” memes have started, I’ve seen the name [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] tossed around as one of those names too. Is [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] too much of a meme to work nowadays?

Also, do you think [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] fits with my list?

For reference, my shortlist is; [name_u]Kelly[/name_u], [name_f]Joanna[/name_f], [name_u]Meredith[/name_u], [name_f]Kristen[/name_f], [name_f]Erin[/name_f], [name_f]Heather[/name_f], [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f], [name_f]Tiffany[/name_f], [name_f]Robyn[/name_f], [name_f]Amber[/name_f], Desirée, [name_u]Leslie[/name_u], [name_u]Courtney[/name_u], [name_u]Kimberly[/name_u], [name_f]April[/name_f], [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], [name_f]Mary[/name_f]-[name_f]Nicole[/name_f], [name_f]Jaclyn[/name_f]* and [name_f]Donna[/name_f]*

([name_u]Haven[/name_u]’t added [name_f]Jaclyn[/name_f] or [name_f]Donna[/name_f] just yet but am also heavily considering them).

If you have any MN suggestions for [name_f]Brenda[/name_f], please feel free to share! I like soft, common, feminine names for girls (anything from the top 100 is excellent, but as long as it’s a solidly familiar name, like [name_f]Lily[/name_f] or [name_f]Christina[/name_f] or [name_f]Ava[/name_f] or [name_f]Valerie[/name_f], that’s all that matters imo.).

2

My first thought was the memes. [name_f]Karen[/name_f], [name_f]Brenda[/name_f], and even [name_f]Cheryl[/name_f] are used. While it might not be a problem for when you have a child, right now I’d say [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] is very unusable. On the other hand [name_f]Tiffany[/name_f], [name_f]Heather[/name_f], and [name_f]Jaclyn[/name_f] etc are all much more useable!

3

Hmm…I’ve seen more and more [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] memes lately, so that was one direction my mind went. Still, I do like the name and think/hope the meme association should fade by the time you’d have a little [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] and she’d be old enough to use the internet. Anyhow, of the [name_f]Brenda[/name_f]'s I know, they are all in their 60s or so now. I know some are younger, but my associations still somewhat cause me to think that [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] doesn’t go too well with the rest of your shortlist. The ones you listed give off a 70s, mainly 80s vibe. [name_f]Brenda[/name_f], in my uneducated opinion, gives off more of an older vibe.

4

[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] fits perfectly with all your favorites. For me they are all 70/80s names. I’ve personally not seen a meme with [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] but many with [name_f]Karen[/name_f]. I honestly don’t think it matters anyway. There is actually no way to guess the future of what might happen with any name. They are all capable of becoming “a joke”.

5

I tend to agree that [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] is one generation ahead of your favorites, but I do like the name.

[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Lauren[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Christine[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f]

6

[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] is definitely a meme in my friend group since it’s the name of my roommate’s overbearing mom. I’ve also seen memes using [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] along the same lines as “[name_f]Karen[/name_f]”. I also agree with many of the points the PPs have made. I don’t think a meme should be the reason why you don’t use the name. Memes change so often so there’s no saying what will be memed when your kids are growing up. I also agree that [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] does seem a generation behind all of your other favorites though. I find it almost a bit mismatched but it’s not bad.

I thought [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] from your list was sweet!

7

My girlfriend’s mother is named [name_f]Brenda[/name_f], she’s in her 40s. I do think of the meme, though the association isn’t as strong as with [name_f]Karen[/name_f]. Have you considered [name_f]Brenna[/name_f]?

8

i do agree it’s a generation ahead of your other favorites, but I love mid century. I like the name and i love the hard d sound. If you are going for a 70s/80s thing, [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] doesn’t fit…if you are just going for what makes you happy i think it’s a great choice. As far as memes, those are so constantly changing. In two years, most people won’t even remember them…even if they did, it’s not a big deal.

9

I would also consider [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] to be a more 1940s–60s name rather than 1970s–80s. But if you really like it, then to me that’s what’s most important!

10

I always liked [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] as well.
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Elaine[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Eileen[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Michelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Elyse[/name_f]

11

I know two [name_f]Brenda[/name_f]'s under the age of twenty-two. I think it’s a perfectly usable moniker for a little girl. And forty years from now it’ll be [name_f]Ava[/name_f], [name_f]Emma[/name_f], and [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] memes instead of [name_f]Sharon[/name_f], [name_f]Karen[/name_f], and [name_f]Brenda[/name_f] (and honestly I see more about the former two than [name_f]Brenda[/name_f]).

[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Ann[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Elain[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Rosalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Orchid[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Ellen[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Francine[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] Olenna
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_u]Aspen[/name_u]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Sheryl[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Marianne[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Susannah[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Cosette[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Aislin[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Kathleen[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Colleen[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Marina[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Celine[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Orianne[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Roxanne[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Jewel[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Corinne[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Ursuline[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Judith[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Honoria[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Celeste[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Helene[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Rhiannon[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Vanessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Marisol[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Cassiane[/name_f]
[name_f]Brenda[/name_f] [name_f]Christine[/name_f]