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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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Devonlover · 19/12/2010 15:55

Gladys
Jean
Edna

Cecil
Humphrey
Kevin

A friend has just named her little boy Stanley - would have thought this was quite unusual nowadays.

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 15:54

There's a lot of names on here from Harry Potter :)
Myrtle (moaning Myrtle the ghost) Norbert (Hagrid's baby dragon) Lucretia (Draco's mum) and Ronald.
Would also like to add
Percy
Argus
Mary
Roderick
Richard (Dick)
Maud
Phillip
Gordon
Paul
Steven

and second Lesley, Tracey, Stacey, Sharon, Nigel, Deborah, Ethel, Neil, Dorothy, Mildred, Herbert, Harold, Victor, David, Doris, Vivien, Sandra, Tina..

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 14:58

Hulababy and those of us born in the 80s will be saying to our children- 'Why on earth do u want to call your baby Wayne, thats an awful name!' Cant wait to see it happen! Grin

Hulababy · 19/12/2010 14:53

I can imagine Doris, Herbert (Herbie) and Arnold (Arnie) making a comeback in a quirky different sense.

I would imagine Kathleen may be used as a proper name with a little one being caled Kitty.

Have already heard of little ones called Mavis, Mabel, Maude, Lydia, Nell, Albert (Albie) and Bernard, plus a few of the others listed on here.

__

I think names often hark back two generations - hence why ur grandparents and greatgranparents are returning now, and when we are grandparents and greatgrandparents our generation's names will come back.

Edmundo · 19/12/2010 14:49

Kevin
Derek
Brian
Keith
Ian
Norman
Wayne
Dwayne
Darren

Stacey
Tracey
Sharon
Michelle
Amanda
Kelly
Sandra
Maureen
Wendy

And I would have said Deborah but a friend has just had a baby one so maybe it's coming back? Her DS has a very dated name too.

scrivette · 19/12/2010 14:46

I really like Timothy!

I was amazed my Nana's name, Elsie, is becoming more popular, I didn't like it when I was younger but I do now.

I can't imagine the names, Lillian, Veronica, Frederick or Rodney returning.

chaya5738 · 19/12/2010 14:43

Gayle.

Oh, and Karen, Sharon etc

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 14:40

Crystalglasses I think Charmaine is a beautiful name, never heard otherwise Shock

TheLastMelon · 19/12/2010 14:38

I read somewhere that the names that were popular in the 70's/ 80's will become popular when those people are grandparets themselves. Just like today elderly people names are back in fashion. So in about 50 odd yrs expect Sharon, Tracey, Kevin etc to become trendy again :)

Lonnie · 19/12/2010 14:12

chuckles

I wanted Neil for a son I love the name DH said no I also like colin Dh said no and I like Keith dh said no

I didnt grow up in England so the names are not associated for me.

Lonnie · 19/12/2010 14:11

This is a fun thread In my job I come accross a lot of babies and in the last year or so I have seen

Arnold
Herbert
Ronald
Douglas
Doris

I have a friend with a dd whom is Gertrude (she is about 3 now)

there was also a Whilhemeena the only other I know of is about 40

crystalglasses · 19/12/2010 13:55

charmaine - 'shudder'

staranise · 19/12/2010 13:49

One of my DDs is called Edith - can't remember where i first heard it, was living abroad at the time, certainly had nothing to do with Edith Bowman!!

I think those 70s names eg, Karen, Lee, Sharon, Julie, Paula etc, won't be heard very often.

BlackWhitePlaid · 19/12/2010 13:45

Myra.
'nuff said.

shefliesthrutheair · 19/12/2010 13:37

Wayne, Keith, and yes definately Adolf.

I know a 1 year old Albert and it actually really suits him (in a good way!)

Although I must admit I don't really like a lot of modern names either - too cute and pretty, even the boys' names...

lovelyopaque · 19/12/2010 13:35

I'd struggle to call a baby Neil. It's not very babyish is all. Sharbie, I always assumed Alison was a modern version of Alice, rather than other way around? Not sure.

SnowMuchToBits · 19/12/2010 13:35

Thereisalight - Yvonne's family are from an African country, so maybe it's more popular over there...

BabyGiraffes · 19/12/2010 13:34

Oooh, I like Melissa.

ThisIsYourSong · 19/12/2010 13:33

No-one's mentioned my middle name yet - Deborah! Good solid 60/70's name that I can't see coming back any time soon Smile

GleeAddict · 19/12/2010 13:21

Kerry and Kelly. Proper 'chav mum' names.

yama · 19/12/2010 13:20

Janet or Janice anyone?

Buttonnosedsausage · 19/12/2010 13:16

Bruce?

jumpyjack · 19/12/2010 12:50

Colin is very popular in America - top 100, or close to it, I believe. Same with Gavin.

My son (who has a name I fully expect to pop up on this list soon) has 3 year old friends called Jason, Timothy and Melissa.

BrianAndHisBalls · 19/12/2010 12:41

My Gran is Muriel, Grandad was Frank.

My one cousin (late 30s) is Sharon Tracey Grin

Another male relative is Albert and another is Walter Grin

Can't see any of them coming back apart from maybe Frank.

I nearly called my dd Myrtle. Thought it was cute Xmas Blush

Laneigejaune · 19/12/2010 12:22

I know a 6 year old Douglas