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Baby names

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

Original poster

'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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startail · 04/04/2011 11:30

Gladys
I had a great aunt who would only sign Auntie G and like wise her nice who uses a swirly G at the centre of her signature, but would never admit what her middle name is.

Ariesgirl · 04/04/2011 11:30

I know an 18 month year old called Prudence as well though. It will never go completely away because of the Beatles

Ariesgirl · 04/04/2011 11:28

WAYNE.

numonemum · 04/04/2011 11:26

I absolutely love the name 'Cora' for a girl. Its an old Irish name that I presume comes from Caroline somewhere down the line.

I think it sounds so pretty.

I tempted to try for another daughter just so I can name her Cora... see what DH thinks hehe

Takver · 04/04/2011 11:25

I know an Albert in his 20s, think its a fab name (but then my Grandad was an Albert :) )

I offer you

Ethelred
Norbert (for English babies - I think still popular elsewhere)
Cuthbert

Have also never understood why Jesus is fine in Spain but just silly here!

Freesias - I knew a baby Ernestine - it was a very sweet story, mum couldn't have kids, grandfathers paid for IVF, she had twins and named them for the two g/fs.

NessyBay · 04/04/2011 11:22

Most of these are on Guess Who aren't they? Grin

BornAgainDomesticGoddess · 04/04/2011 11:18

The girl who works in our local bottle shop has just called her baby son "Dave". I shit you not.

LittleMumSmall · 04/04/2011 11:18

I'd be surprised to see any names from Barbara Pym novels (Winifred, Mildred, Prudence) coming back any time soon. Also the Enid (and there's another one!) Blyton school series - Belinda, Alicia and the rest of the 'gals'. Not sure about equivalents for boys - am expecting DD any time now so have a head full of girls names!

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:17

Baby Derek!!!! ha ahahahaha This is becasue we associate them with middle aged blokes tho - maybe our parent/grandparents find our names weird in teh same way.

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:16

And Stanleys! See your point about Adolf tho - that would be a brave parent

BikeRunSki · 04/04/2011 11:16

I can neve imagine looking at a new baby in a crib and saying "Aaaah Derek/Geoffrey/Ian/Jeremy".

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:16

Loads of baby Agnes' round here tho! (Aggie)

freesias · 04/04/2011 11:14

bertha
gladys although i love this and it is not a million miles from carys etc
caroline
elaine
linda
sheila
gay quite popular in the 60's 70's but doomed now

ernest
stanley
adolf
humphrey
milton

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:14

All the fat, obnoxious middle aged blokes I work with born in the 70's:

Kevin
Nigel
Barry
Trev

etc etc

Surely these will never be used again!!! I actually know someone at work called Nigel Barry - imagine doing that to your kid!!

Simon is in the same class/agegroup of names but I somehow don't find it as bad and could see it being used again.

darleneconnor · 04/04/2011 11:09

Blythe
Myra
Rosemary
Judith
Gaynor
Enid
Ethel
Agnes
Agatha
Maud
Hortence
Bunty
Barbie
Vera
Yvonne/Yvette
Bernadette

notanumber · 04/04/2011 10:58

Ennis must never be revived.

Cloudbase · 04/04/2011 10:54

All those old 80's footballer names:-

Gary
Dean
Wayne (although still popular now)
Russell

Deirdre
Doris
Eunice

for the girls

LaundryFairy · 04/04/2011 10:49

Blanche, Mavis, Enid - not many of those around these days!

notanumber · 04/04/2011 10:45

Pauline cannot possibly be the name of anyone who goes not have a frizzy perm and smokes methol fags. It is no name for a baby.

crapbarry · 04/04/2011 10:44

Eileen, and Agnes.

I like Albert, but DH has vetoed it for any subsequent boys!

missmiss · 04/04/2011 10:42

I heard a woman calling for a small Percy in the library recently.

amanda277 · 04/04/2011 10:38

cant see any of the oldies from corrie being that popular Norris, rita or deirdre ect, think the reason tracey and kevin are less popular now is because they are common maybe

Edmundo · 04/04/2011 10:36

Albert and Bertie are everywhere right now!

I agree with Norman and Fanny

Alicious · 04/04/2011 10:35

Bertha

usedtobeahappycamper · 04/04/2011 10:35

In my childhood Ruby had curlers in her hair and a fag in the corner of her mouth. I would never have called my child Ruby. Charlie was a male equivalent. Look how popular they became. No name is immune from a rerun, because people don't remember the old stereotypes.
On the other hand maybe not Fanny.
And perhaps not Percy (thinking of the expression "Point Percy at the porcelain").