Outdated names

SIR – The marvellously monikered John Bunyan says that though he has been ordained for 65 years, he has christened only one John (Letters, February 11).

A couple of years ago, realising that I had known many Brians in my life, I decided to count them. The total came to 28. I then felt that I should list the Johns, and, at 69, they comfortably outnumbered the Brians.

Incidentally, my wife of 63 years is called Margaret (Letters, February 11), so that shows how dated we are. John Weaver Melton, Suffolk

SIR – I once called out “John” to a colleague I wanted to talk to, and five men turned around and answered. Lyn Hopkin Horsford, Norfolk

SIR – When I was in the sixth form at my (all girls) convent school in the late 1950s, 25 per cent of the class were called Margaret.

Even now, if we meet any of them, my husband will ask: “Who was that?” To which I always reply: “One of the other Margarets.” Margaret Moore Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire

SIR – Alan Hunt (Letters, February 11) says that “young Janets are an extinct species, as are the young Alans”. But at least their forebears are growing old together. Janet and Alan Solomon Pinner, Middlesex

SIR – I could not help being rather amused by the letters relating to once-popular Christian names. My three lifelong friends are called Janet, Margaret and Joan, which rather gives our age away.

I would like to know where all the young Wendys are – does nobody read

Peter Pan any more? Wendy Aitken Bovingdon Green, Buckinghamshire

SIR – I know several Janets but not a single Hilda (my own name, which I have always hated). The only time I hear it now is on The Archers, as it is the name of Peggy Archer’s annoying cat. Hilda Ball Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire