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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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ValiumSoltera · 04/04/2011 08:51

hmmm, interesting. I don't think those names will be popular soon, but Euphemia actually sounds quite predictable to me. it ends in ia which is very popular now. People have used up Olivia and are looking for something with a similar feel in sound but oh holy grail unusual. Ophelia is already out there now. There are a few of them scattered about. Euphemia is not a huge leap from Eugenia/Ophelia. I would be surprised if there weren't at least five Euphemias within the next two years.

Gertie has that kind of Bertie Wooster 1920s vibe about it. You know the kind of names Pearl Lowe and tummytickler would choose!

bandgeek · 04/04/2011 08:47

I always liked Phylis for a girl - people used to laugh at that one!

bandgeek · 04/04/2011 08:47

Gertrude
Euphemia (having said that, I rather like Phamie as a nickname!)

Horace for a boy

ValiumSoltera · 04/04/2011 08:46

Yeah I'll put my hand up and say I quite like Ethel!! I don't know why it's so hated anyway. Certainly no less pretty than Iris or Ivy imo.

I think, to be really serious here, the names that won't come back will be names which have a kind of germanic influence. There were names popular 90 years ago such as Ethelreid, Ethelburg, Alfraeda... I don't think these exact names will return. But versions of them will.

ValiumSoltera · 04/04/2011 08:43

Some of these names are from a more recent batch than the real 'old names'. Eg bruce and shirley. There are still bruces and shirleys who are alive. So you can't really say they're so awful they won't come back. Actually, bruce sounds cool to me. I think that will come back.

Myrtle is lovely. If Lyra and Miriam can come back then I don't see why Myrtle wouldn't/won't.

Obviously Kevin, Tracey and Sharon won't come back until 2050. But they will. People will name after their great grandmother Tracey or their ggf Kevin. It'll happen.

LaurieFairyCake · 04/04/2011 08:16

Kevin
Tracey
Sharon - all popular amongst my age group, think they'll take a while to come round again
Agnes
Euphemia

abgirl · 04/04/2011 08:14

Myrtle, I have a great aunt who the whole family call 'Myrtle the Turtle'Grin - she must know but doesn't seem to mind - can't see that one making a come back ever!

ilovesprouts · 04/04/2011 07:58

gordon ,who would call there dc thatHmm

Anaxagora · 04/04/2011 07:47

Brenda
Shirley
Bruce
Derek

exoticfruits · 04/04/2011 07:42

I think that they will all make a comeback-the 4 you mentioned have all had people who like them on MN! I have been looking at 1901 census and all the (horrible) names are back-Edith, Alfred, Sydney,Violet, Elsie etc and there are even people who like Ethel!!

It is only a matter of time before we get back to Brenda, Nigel, Colin and Maureen etc

hazeyjane · 04/04/2011 07:37

Fanny

kreecherlivesupstairs · 04/04/2011 07:34

Cuthbert or Neville for boys and Shirley for a girl.

tattycoram · 04/04/2011 07:30

I know a baby Jean.

Cyril and Cecil I can't ever see becoming fashionable again