[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] is a name that everyone in my family loves. Hubby and I have had it on our girl list since we were pregnant with our first child 12 years ago. It fits all of our criteria (Greek or [name_m]French[/name_m] name, 3-4 syllables long, good nickname options, and doesn’t start with the same first letter or sound as any of our other kids).
However, now that [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] has made it to the top 3 for this baby, I am panicking about its sudden spike in popularity over the last couple of years. I’m worried it is going to be the next [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] – it has been jumping up the list so fast. Our other kids don’t have particularly uncommon names, but I’m afraid [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] will become tied to this time period, like [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] in the 70s and 80s.
Am I overreacting? What do you think of [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]?
I don’t think it will be like the next [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] at all. [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] isn’t that common, to be honest. I’m British so I don’t know about [name_u]America[/name_u], but I don’t know a single [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] whereas I know from research that [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] was insanely popular and not to be dramatic, I’m pretty sure 1 in 4 girls were called it… definitely not the same for [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]. It was #56 in 2013, and if you think about it, #56 isn’t even that popular…
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f] also goes great with your kids’ names.
[name_f]EDIT[/name_f]: Also, I don’t think it’ll be tied to this time either. It spiked from 1940 to 1970 and then died down, and spiked again around this time. The 1940-1970 spike was big, yet I wouldn’t consider it tied to that period either. I don’t know if I’m making sense, lol.
[name_m]Will[/name_m] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] become more popular in the US - yes, will it be the next [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] - no. So, I guess it depends how much “popularity” bothers you. You can also look up the popularity in your state, it might not be as popular where you live. With your other children’s names (which i love btw) I think [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] would fit in. [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] and [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] are similar in regards to popularity imo.
I love [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]! I don’t care about popularity at all so my comment is probably not super helpful in that regard. But I think she would fit in nicely with your family. [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] is about the same popularity, so anything too exotic/unique might leave her out. And that’s not taking into account [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] (which yes is more classic but still much more popular).
The only subtlety I noticed is that [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] shares the ‘en’ first syllable with [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] and the ‘el’ second syllable with [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f], but those are the only overlapping sounds so they all feel distinct!
I love the name [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]! it’s such a gorgeous name, don’t let the popularity bit bother you at all. I don’t know a single [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]. I know second guessing yourself can drive you insane but if you really love the name go with it!
I appreciate the feedback!