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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 · 19/12/2010 20:24

Roy is my Dad's name. He doesn't like it much.

I really think it is coming back - someone had a little boy (about 6) in one of the Sunday supplements a few months back. I couldn't quite believe it.

PhishFoodAddiction · 19/12/2010 20:19

My BIL's middle name is...Roy. He's in his 20s. Even my SIL sniggered slightly when she had to say it at their wedding Grin. Can't see that being popular again.

Most of my family have been named on this thread! And my grandma thought she was so original with naming her kids Wink.

We have a little Bertie (it actually suits him, full name Albert, my grandma was horrified when she was informed!)

I can't see Linda making a comeback, or Eileen, or Dilys.

I quite like Florence, Betsy and even Elsie Blush I like old lady names!

I had a very tough time thinking of boy names-it's a good job I had 2 DDs really!

harpsichordcarrier · 19/12/2010 20:16

I teach a Betty, which I think is a very sweet name

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 19/12/2010 20:14

I love Betty and would've liked it for this DC (only it's a boy). There's a little girl at DD's school called Betty - must be 10 years old-ish. Don't know any others though.

Rita is a funny one - isn't that the name of the actress who plays Roxy in EastEnders? I dn't think I'm ready for little Ritas either.

TartyMcFalalalalalalarty · 19/12/2010 20:09

My DD is called Betty and she's the only one I know of. My cousin would love to calla little girl Rita, but I don't quite see the appeal!

domesticsluttery · 19/12/2010 19:25

There are several Uriahs in my family tree, which is not a name I can see coming back anytime soon!

tanmu82 · 19/12/2010 19:21

This thread is funny! I haven't been able to read it all, but I would say:

Hilda
Enid
Edna
Ursil

Humphrey
Barry
Arnold
Harold

BoffinMum · 19/12/2010 19:16

Linda
Sandra
Dawn

muminthesun · 19/12/2010 19:10

Maureen
barbara
paula
duncan

HeftyMutha · 19/12/2010 19:05

I knew a little girl called Hagar (biblical name, apparently, but I always think of Hagar the Horrible)

muminthesun · 19/12/2010 19:04

Maybe been said before,
Gary
barry
gail
donna
mandy
bruce
debbie
julie
ian

HeftyMutha · 19/12/2010 18:59

Maud (rhymes with bored)

Lotster · 19/12/2010 18:52

Phew - feeling relieved my little girl's "vintage" name is getting the thumbs up so far!

Glitterboots · 19/12/2010 18:50

Elsie

I love Herbert for a boy. Herbie is so cute!

OldAndUngraceful · 19/12/2010 18:47

You people are listing just about every name there is!

autumnberry · 19/12/2010 18:35

Joan

Baublepink · 19/12/2010 18:12

Myra
Enid
Ada
Ethel
Mona
Hilda
Susan
Julie
Rhona
Phyllis
Gail
Rita
Beverley
Doreen
Irene
Barbara
Keith
Neil
Craig
Jason
Ernest

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 17:57

Egbert
Edgar
Derek
Paula
Ebenezer
Jason

Cyclops · 19/12/2010 17:44

Yvette
Diane
Julie
Noreen
Bridget
Joanne
Pauline

Graham/Graeme
Derek
Dennis
Timothy

there are many more which I don't think will resurface for a few generations yet!

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 17:39

Yes u can usually tell how old someone is by their name.

slipperandpjsmum · 19/12/2010 17:36

I think they will all come back one day. Debbie, Tracey Sharon give them another 50 years they will be the Arthur, Alfie, Nell of today.

kktpj · 19/12/2010 17:30

Mine is karen
dh is keith
his bf is trevor
my bf donna and tracy
oh how that dates us all!!!!

sieglinde · 19/12/2010 16:19

Oh, and Alisoun is an old name - it's in Chaucer. Also like Lynette spelt Luned. Spelling matters a lot...

sieglinde · 19/12/2010 16:14

The DG of the BBC has a son called Abraham...and I know a Horatio.

I love both Gertrude/Gertie and also Edith.

And I was amazed somebody said Jane. Jane Austen, Jane Eyre.. it's a lovely name, and so is Alison.

My tips for Not In Our Time are:
Lana
Melvyn
Gareth
Samantha
Malvina
Melisande
Cressida
Marilyn

Bue · 19/12/2010 16:07

ThisIsYourSong, I think Deborah will make a serious comeback at some point! It's a beautiful biblical name (when spelled properly, not Debra, which is blech).