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Baby names

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'Old-fashioned' names that might NOT make a come-back?

338 replies

PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 07:08

I was thinking about names that might have been popular about 100 years ago or more, and were then considered old-fashioned 30, 40 or even 50 years ago - but are now becoming more popular again. For example, Dorothy and Archie are names that are probably used more now than they were for babies born in the 60s or 70s.

So I wondered if there are names that have not made a come-back, and are not likely to?

For example, does anyone think these names are used much for babies born recently:
Eustace
Eunice
Jean (for a girl; not the French boys' name)
Joan (for a girl; not the Catalan boys' name)

I'm not trying to start a 'these are horrible names' thread. I'm just wondering which 'old-fashioned'-type names haven't really been revived. (Or perhaps I should say: haven't really been revived yet!)

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SoLongAsItsHealthy · 16/08/2014 15:00

They will all come back!

alemci · 14/08/2014 17:53

quentin
barry
morris
dudley
Graham
hilda
rita
Valerie

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 14/08/2014 17:48

Titty (Swallows and Amazons) - can't see that one ever being back in fashion, tbh
Trevor (my Grampa's name 30 years ago (so he was named around 80 yrs ago - all of us always chortled) - also my BiL's name - who on earth would name a baby Trevor???
Norman
Malcolm

As mentioned earlier Gertrude - loads, actually, but maybe one day they will all resurface Smile

minipie · 14/08/2014 17:40

I know a little Clement Hmm

I quite like Joan and Jean.

Some I can't see coming back:

Lettice
Bertha
Vera
Ethel
Gladys

Basil
Dudley (Harry potter will kill this one for a while)
Loveday
Bernard

DertieBertie · 14/08/2014 17:08

Bunty. Grin

MrsPatMustard · 13/08/2014 16:15

Beryl, Gladys, Doreen / Maureen,
Gertrude,

BumpNGrind · 13/08/2014 15:45

Jeff
Clive
Nigel
Neil
Brian

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/08/2014 13:05

I think Barabara could make a comeback - it's in the same vein as Margaret.

Never Norna though. God awful name. I knew a couple (elderly) called Norma, they were lovely women but wow did they hate their names.

LittleErin · 13/08/2014 11:59

Norma, Beryl, Barbara

Lookingforfocus · 03/08/2014 15:48

A dear friend called her second daughter Susan after her mother. Susan is about 16/17 now.

DogCalledRudis · 02/08/2014 21:05

Eustace is interesing. I come from Lithuania, a very popular name there is Justas (pronounced "youstas")

ElephantsNeverForgive · 02/08/2014 16:06

Claire, Rachel, Susan (and it's variants), Lynn, Louise, Caroline, Hayley, Lara and Emma (rather than Lauren and Emily) will all creep back as my generation become grandparents and then deceased relatives to remember.

I already know a Sarah and Helen has never completely disappeared.

I fear we may even get little Janes and (heaven forbid) Linda's

Lookingforfocus · 02/08/2014 15:54

I know a Eustace age 10 and met another young boy with the name (I am in Germany).

Neville?

ACM88 · 02/08/2014 15:16

I heard Wallace in tesco this morning!?!? Poor little chap. My grandads MN was Wallace, and spent most his life trying to hide it hahah

Castlemilk · 02/08/2014 14:39

Anita

Sheila

Neil

Martin

Alisvolatpropiis · 02/08/2014 13:18

Me too Larry, it's one of my favourites.

LarrytheCucumber · 01/08/2014 20:17

My mum described Serena as "an old lady name which doesn't need to be revived".
I know a lovely Serena. I think it's a beautiful name.

winkywinkola · 01/08/2014 19:34

Gary
Darren
Clare

Lucked · 01/08/2014 19:32

I know a Nora and we seriously considered it and we have Gertrude as a middle name!!

I think Claire will make a huge comeback one day but not yet.

Beryl and the more recent Cheryl.
Bertha
Barbara
.. I am not lovng the B names
Brenda
Phyllis
Mildred

JennyBlueWren · 01/08/2014 19:26

I know a 3 year old Cyril and a 30 something Gordon.

Alisvolatpropiis · 01/08/2014 01:11

Wilbur is awful.

Alisvolatpropiis · 01/08/2014 01:10

My mum described Serena as "an old lady name which doesn't need to be revived".

She has never met a Serena, ever. Hmm

sausageandorangepickle · 31/07/2014 23:26

Jessica Ennis has just called her baby Reggie, and Kate Silverton (newsreader) has called her son Wilbur, so more may be creeping in... I know pre-schoolers called Ronnie, Ivan, Derek and Eric (Derek and Eric are both from Eastern European families)and a teenage Archie

tethersend · 30/07/2014 22:14

I have a 2yo Shirley, so yaboosucks Grin

LarrytheCucumber · 30/07/2014 22:09

I would have said Nellie, but just heard of a newborn one.

Edna