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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

I'll eat my hat if that name comes back!

390 replies

AllieW · 18/12/2010 12:16

There are some names which I've been quite surprised to see returning. For example, Edith was my granny's name. Much as I loved her, I was never keen on the name and can only presume the little Ediths now arriving are due to the Radio 1 DJ or something.

Are there any names which would surprise you if they were revived? For me, the list might include:

Girls

Doris
Ermyntrude
Gertrude

Boys

Arnold
Herbert
Roderick

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thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 18/12/2010 17:53

Myra

I went out with a Roderick once.

My DD said yesterday that she thought 'Lesley' was a lovely name for a baby girl. [Hmm]

Mumcentreplus · 18/12/2010 17:52

Mildred...not Milly that sounds cute..but Mildred? = old evil aunt who smells like cough medicine Grin

Bue · 18/12/2010 17:43

Names are cyclical - nearly every single name mentioned on this thread will eventually come back. 75 years from now people will be saying "I can't imagine Amber/Lexie/Scarlett/ ever coming back in fashion!"

There are only a few names I find so truly awful that I can't imagine a resurgence. Oral - just gross, and Bertha - hideous.

Mumcentreplus · 18/12/2010 17:41

has name on jingle's list

LunarSeasonsGreetings · 18/12/2010 17:41

AllieW - yes I know at least one Archie who is officially an Archibald.

NorbertDentressangelOnTheTree · 18/12/2010 17:36

Adolf.

Surely no one is going to come along and say "oh, I know a couple of baby Adolfs"

JingleHell · 18/12/2010 17:30

Most of the names I remember from the 70s I can't imagine being popular now:

Darren
Clive
Phillip
Paul
Malcolm
Garth

Sharon
Tracey
Leslie
Tiffany
Kimberly
Karen

and my mum's name - Myra for obvious reasons

Mumcentreplus · 18/12/2010 17:27

Allie you are probably right there..is it the same for Lilly and Lillian Hmm

Original poster
AllieW · 18/12/2010 17:22

ARE any of the current crop of Archies actually Archibalds? I thought that people had decided Archie was a standalone name now.

OP posts:
5ElvesMooningSanta · 18/12/2010 17:21

Jeffrey nn Jeff? Don't hear of many of those around.

Mumcentreplus · 18/12/2010 17:17

I don't think you can make predictions on names...my DDs love of her life is an archie...I mean archibald???...who knew Grin

KaraStarbuckThrace · 18/12/2010 17:14

My mate Nige hates the name Nigel!

purpleturtle · 18/12/2010 17:10

I know of a baby Enoch.

NormanTheForeman · 18/12/2010 17:04

Well, obviously Norman is the best name in the world, and therefore due a comeback Xmas Grin

Ephiny · 18/12/2010 17:02

I can see Marlene coming back actually, not sure about the others though :)

Can't imagine Enid making a comeback, though you never know...

smilingserenely · 18/12/2010 17:02

derek

asdx2 · 18/12/2010 16:58

I would imagine Enoch (my old RE teacher) won't make a comeback. What about Magnus or Bertrand?As for girls Cissie or Virginia or Marlene or Gaylene would be hard pressed I think.

OnthefirsdayofMrsDeVere · 18/12/2010 16:34

I dont think any name is uncomebackable (I just made that word up).

Patsy Palmer has just had a Bertie
There are loads of names that would have been scoffed at that are now very common i.e. Flora, Hugo, Harriet etc. (I dont dislike these name BTW)

I went to school in North London in the 70s so had a lot of Daffodills, Petunias and Pansies in my school. Lots of 40 something West Indian women with those names.

I wonder if their grandchildren will revert back to those names in a few years time?

It seems to be the 70s and 80s names that are least popular now i.e. Kevin, Lee, Darren, Sharon, Amanda.

But they will come back just as the 50s and 60s names are popular now.

I adore the name Edie. I also love Violet.

Probably a good job I am not having anymore babies then..

Notevenamouse · 18/12/2010 16:31

Gideon

smilingserenely · 18/12/2010 16:31

geraldine

we were looking for a g name for dd4 and geraldine was mentioned but i think it'll be along time before maternity wards see many baby geraldines . the vicar of dibley signed it's death warrant

boys
clifford /cliff

SuePurblybiltbyElves · 18/12/2010 16:31

I like Lydia. Love Kathleen. Like Marianne.

I could never name a baby Pauline, Sharon, Tracy, Barbara, Lesley, Derek, Kevin, Maurice, Cyril, Joan, Nigel, Gary or Clive.

crystalglasses · 18/12/2010 16:26

Arthur - can't stand the name but know 2 babies cursed with the name

FestiveOrganisoid · 18/12/2010 16:24

I would have agreed with Nigel but I met a baby one the other day.

Norman is a very cool name however, I'd definitely use it!

christmasheave · 18/12/2010 16:22

Derek
Malcolm
Colin

Pauline
Maureen
Margaret

These are all v popular in my parent's generation, but can't see them comong back for a while.

tummytickler · 18/12/2010 16:17

Tuschinki - Shirley is my favourite name at the moment!
I also know a few baby Franks - I think it may be up there with ALfie et al in a few years.

Love, Love, Love Ethel.