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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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marzipananimal · 04/04/2011 17:17

Am intrigued by people who know baby Agneses. Where do you live? Agnes is my middle name and I've always hated it so would be quite relieved if it became popular!

DH and I joked about having a baby Horace. Can't see that coming back

ensure · 04/04/2011 16:50

I know children with quite a few of these names actually!
I even know a 2 year old Athena Fluter.

pranma · 04/04/2011 16:29

I like Rosemary and Judith cant see Norah or Myra making a comeback though or Norma,Gloria or Greta
Boys-Cecil,Cuthbert,Cyril,Norman,Alvin,Kevin,

FlingonTheValiant · 04/04/2011 16:09

God I love Hrothgar , and I genuinely love Alfraeda.

DH told me in all earnestness that he thought DS should be called Keith, but he is forrin, and love the -th sound, so his list was Keith, Kenneth, Gareth (I actually quite like that).

I was really keen on Jeffrey.

DS's middle names are Jean Barry (the French type of Jean I admit. After his GFs though, not from preference).

I know several baby Noras and a Julien.

PrincessFiorimonde I am also baffled by Artemis Fowl. I mentioned it to a friend who swore blind that Artemis is a boys name. Apparently we've missed a memo Confused

PercyPigPie · 04/04/2011 16:03

Doreen
Vera
Clive
Nigel
Roger

freesias · 04/04/2011 15:41

homer
enoch

Ormirian · 04/04/2011 15:33

My DB's last dog was called Hazel. She was very nice.

lottiejenkins · 04/04/2011 15:32

A friend fostered a little Pauline about three years ago!!

BikeRunSki · 04/04/2011 15:28

I had a hamster called Hazel!

I also know a 2 yo called Hazel.

saffy85 · 04/04/2011 15:26

Pamela
Barbara
Maureen
Lesley
Gladys
Agatha
Doris

Wayne
Nigel
Norman
Melvin
Bruce
Derek
Eric

ShirleyKnot · 04/04/2011 15:05

I had a baby doll called Hazel

LadyWellian · 04/04/2011 15:01

My niece had a baby doll called Alan.

Balsam · 04/04/2011 14:59

I think Pauline is the funniest. Can you imagine seeing A new baby girl and hearing it's called Pauline? You'd be like, WTF?

notanumber · 04/04/2011 14:33

Bucharest just revealed on another thread that one of her childhood dolls was named Julian.

Julian! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

SylvanianFamily · 04/04/2011 14:31

DH threatened me with Roger.... Luckily we had a girl!

Becaroooo · 04/04/2011 14:31

...I know a 2 year old Stuart!

Also, Roger (bluerggh)

PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 14:30

Oops, sorry lottie, I see Olive is already back!

Fluter, yes, interesting that some classical names just don't seem to be used. E.g., think there was a thread recently about a baby Hero. But has anyone come across a Leander?

On a slight tangent - find it very puzzling that Artemis Fowl (in recent series of books) is a boy.

OP posts:
Takver · 04/04/2011 14:29

GetDown - I know a woman called Gay too (also very lovely).

The first time I met her it was only after I walked up to the shop counter where she was serving and said "Ah - you must be Gay - I've got a message from X for you" that I realised that I had better have got the right shop assistant!

campion · 04/04/2011 14:29

David Tennant never watched Popeye, I imagine.

I was at school with a Doris. But her mum was Chinese and her dad was Czech so we never thought any more about it.

My headmistress was called Hilda - unpleasant woman.

See, you can't help personalising these things.

Becaroooo · 04/04/2011 14:29

Brenda
Edna
Glynnis
Glenda
Mildred
Ada

Neville
Roderick
Eustace
Algernon
Wilbur
Russell

NessyBay · 04/04/2011 14:27

Kim, Donna, Lynn

PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 14:22

Ermintrude! Yes, I really can't see that making a come-back.
Agree that Olive, Maud and Peggy are very likely due a return.
Leonie (loved those books, btw), will have a think...

OP posts:
LeonieDeSaintVire · 04/04/2011 13:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Beasknees · 04/04/2011 13:35

More hear for Doris, Gladys and Hilda, Cyril, Bernard

I do know a Cuthbert !

It will be interesting times when the care homes are filled with Tracey, Sharon Michelle, Warren and wayne and graham

halfcaffodils · 04/04/2011 13:32

Roger, Colin and Ken/Kenneth...
Virginia, Susan and Ruth