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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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Artandco · 28/02/2014 17:04

Many of these names seem normal to me..

We had two boys but our girls list was:

Margot
Nora
Leonora
Connie

My grandmother was Phyllis which I really didn't like, but might have used lissi as middle name somewhere

One of my boys has Lionel as middle name

rollonthesummer · 28/02/2014 15:27

Gladys?

squizita · 28/02/2014 15:20

Victoria?

I've heard of LOTS of vickys - I work with kids. It's one of those all-time-popular names I think (of the ilk of 'James') that are never trendy but never forgotten.

squizita · 28/02/2014 15:16

"Een" names aren't consigned to the past if you're from a London Irish (or Liverpool Irish) family in my experience (she says not of granny age with an apparently granny name). They go incognito by being 'yn' e.g. Kathleen = Kathlyn (not my RL name btw).

spongebobsparepants · 28/02/2014 15:15

Muriel

traininthedistance · 28/02/2014 15:07

Gladys
Eileen
Freda
Beryl

SanityClause · 27/02/2014 22:34

I know an 11yo Kevin. Apparently it became popular in some European countries because of the Home Alone films.

It's a bit like Kylie, in that respect. To me, as an Australian, that's a very 70's name, but in the UK, it's a 90's name.

SoftSheen · 27/02/2014 22:24

I have met babies/small children called Gordon, Percy, Reggie, Maurice, Josephine.

Names which I never hear in children are Mervyn, Kevin, Gavin, Roger, Trevor, Wayne, Barry, Julie, Kelly, Shirley, Michelle, Shelley, Helen, Tracey, Sharon, Shannon, Nicola, Victoria, Alison, Deborah, Sarah, Jackie.

pootlebug · 27/02/2014 22:09

All the 'een' sound names:

Jean
Doreen
Maureen
Soreen (kidding!)
Christine
Josephine
Kathleen

But I've read several names on this thread that I love and considered for my kids, and one or two that I actually chose....so what do I know?

WolfMoon · 27/02/2014 21:59

Edgar. I met a baby Edgar a few months ago. Not one I thought would make a comeback.

aoife24 · 27/02/2014 17:22

Edna, Gertrude, Sharon. But, then names like Edith and Ethel have cropped up recently so who can tell?

FurryDogMother · 27/02/2014 17:14

Britney
Enid
Edna
Cecil
Jimmy
Gary
Lettice
Ham
Titania
Aubrey

TeacakeEater · 27/02/2014 17:05

I noticed a French Kevin competing in Sochi. It became popular after Kevin Costner and other US Kevins in the 80's/90's.

Jean is back, so I believe and I know baby/toddler Elsies.

akachan · 27/02/2014 16:50

Joan is on my list!

squoosh · 27/02/2014 15:41

Kevin has never gone away in Ireland, it's always in the top 20 names. Always. Popular in France too surprisingly.

Mireio · 27/02/2014 15:37

Agatha
Ethel
Mildred
Maud
Bertha
Gertrude
Hortense
Beulah
Doris
Edna
Myrtle
Mavis

Horace
Humphrey
Egbert
Cuthbert
Herbert
Rodney
Royston

Nataleejah · 27/02/2014 15:34

Kevin and Dustin were among my boys' naming list

MyNameIsKenAdams · 27/02/2014 08:37

This bump will be Olive or Lawrence Grin so its nice to see there wont be too many around quite yet.

Names I dont see returning for a while:
Terry
Dustin
Brian

Tracy
Eileen
Deidre

Nataleejah · 27/02/2014 08:32

I must say i am quite surprised by so many anti-Kevin comments. In fact, it is quite a fashionable name among eastern europeans :)

thegreatgatsby101 · 26/02/2014 09:35

I'm determined to give my next child a name like Simon, Peter, Claire, Susan or Sally. (Etc etc)
Nobody names their children these names anymore (although I think Peter is coming back)

NinjaCow · 25/02/2014 18:00

For a boy- Gaylord. Met one recently, an older man.

NinjaCow · 25/02/2014 17:59

Prudence
Doris
Gladys
Wilhemina
Wendoline
Eugenia
Mavis
Veronica

MummyGreen11 · 25/02/2014 17:59

Love alot of these 'old fashioned' names but its the ones from the not-so-distant past eg. Keith and Karen that i cant see coming back.....ever!! Wink

Jolay100 · 25/02/2014 17:54

My grandmothers were Doris and beryl, not sure we'll be using either of those if bump is a DD

Misfitless · 25/02/2014 16:14

Lol! Definitely won't make a come back for a couple of generations, I reckon you are safe with Margaret alright Wink!