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Baby names

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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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Viagrafalls · 04/04/2011 10:32

deidre

KeepCalmAndCurryOn · 04/04/2011 10:31

Doris

minipie · 04/04/2011 10:23

I would have said Olive but amazingly quite a lot of people seem to like it.

Minnie was quite popular, can't see that one coming back either Grin

hazeyjane · 04/04/2011 10:22

There is a gravestone in the churchyard near our house, for a 'Fanny Fidler', makes me rofl every time I see it.

NightLark · 04/04/2011 10:21

Hilda. I really can't imagine a baby Hilda.

GetOrfMoiLand · 04/04/2011 10:20

I think names which are the current names which are popular with people in late middle age.

Nigel, Keith, Mervyn, Malcolm, Harold.

Shelagh, Karen, Rita, Sue, Janice, Mandy

FannyPriceless · 04/04/2011 10:20

I am so offended at what everyone is saying about Fanny. What is wrong with it?

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:18

or Ethel

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:17

i'd be surprised if i saw a baby Gladys

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:17

there is a myrtle aged about 7 up the road to me. lots of small alberts where i live too.

MimiSam · 04/04/2011 10:11

I know a 2 year old Agnes, a 3 year old Shirley and a baby Gilbert!!

woopsidaisy · 04/04/2011 10:06

There is a Bertie in DS2s class at school. They are only small. I like it!
Brian is a very popular name in Ireland still.
When I was nursing two names that when you heard you just knew it was an older lady were, Peggy and May. Very,very popular names of ladies in their seventies/eighties now.

NarcolepsyQueen · 04/04/2011 10:04

Bruce

cumbria81 · 04/04/2011 09:55

I know a baby Albert. Horrid name, imho.

LifeInTheSlowLane · 04/04/2011 09:52

The 70s names do seem less attractive now, but maybe they'll come back eventually! Names I remember from childhood that were really popular but you don't seem to hear now:

Sharon, Tracy, Jane, Claire, Jenny, Alison, Nicola, Lesley, Rebecca

Keith, Kevin, Darren, Gareth, Brian, Malcolm, Jason

babybythesea · 04/04/2011 09:46

Norman. Definitely belongs to an old man. Or a goon.

exoticfruits · 04/04/2011 09:43

Agnes seems very popular now.

Skinit · 04/04/2011 09:31

Agnes? It's quite elegant now I look at it....

Nora

Cynthia

bobblehat · 04/04/2011 09:27

I'm always suprised Albert hasn't made a huge comeback as to me Bertie isn't too far away from Alfie (although I do know a lo with this name). I think Beryl will take a while to come back, as will Doreen and Brenda.

That said, I did know a Maureen who will now be mid thirties and there's a little boy I know called Douglas. It's just not a name I can imagine for a baby.

Hedwig3 · 04/04/2011 09:20

I LOVE Nora and I believe that there are a few about Envy

Not sure if I could put up with the catsbumfaces Sad

BuntyPenfold · 04/04/2011 09:16

I don't think Fanny will make a comeback, or Clytie (my great aunt Clytemnestra apparently)
And I am told Albert means something rude now. Well, always did, but I didn't know it did.

ValiumSoltera · 04/04/2011 08:59

You put Mildred down twice!

Millie - Mildred! I bet there are a few already.

Guinevere, isn't that quite normal in Cornwall or Devon?

BornAgainDomesticGoddess · 04/04/2011 08:56

That's a shame, isn't it hazeyjane? I love the name Fanny, it's very 1920s.

Bubbaluv · 04/04/2011 08:56

Yep - Fanny is a goner surely.
I met a baby Horace a couple of years ago and really expected the mother to wink and tell me she was joking, but no.
Brian seems unlikely.
Mildred
Margery
Mildred
Guinevere
Garth

eatyourveg · 04/04/2011 08:54

Beryl, Barbara, Sheila, Mavis, Cyril, Reginald, Terence, Percy ( although may be Percy could be cool one day)