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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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exoticfruits · 07/04/2011 19:59

I know 2 toddlers called Graham.

jellybeans · 07/04/2011 19:38

I think Judith may come back in fashion as well and Jean.

Clary · 07/04/2011 00:16

I do think you are all correct about Edna tho.

My mum has 2 old pals called Arthur and Edna; Arthur is pleased his name is coming back in (and not just via David Cameron!); but Edna rather ruefully agrees hers will never be trendy again Smile

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 06/04/2011 17:01

Grin @ Gerald. People say that our stranger choices are because of our pregnancy hormones. What excuse could our DH/DP's use (other than bad taste)?

minipie · 06/04/2011 16:01

Grin thereisalight my DH is a big fan of the name Gerald.

I think he's joking.

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 06/04/2011 15:45

Funnily enough DH suggested Graham for DS2 and for DS1 (before we knew his gender) Yvonne.

Nice, don't you think?

jellybeans · 06/04/2011 14:09

I have heard of a baby Graham and a Dennis recently. Both named after their dad or Grandad. Stanley and Agnes are also around too. Other popular 'old gran names' at my kids school/nursey are Constance, Florrie, Archibald, Geoffery, Elsa, Elsie, Arthur, Doug.

Names I don't think will come back are Gladys, Vera, Edna, Ethel, Marjorie, Mavis,Reginald.

Names I think may get popular are Percy, Mabel, Betty, Betsy, Nora, Connie, Mary, Margeret, Amanda.

bananamom · 06/04/2011 12:36

Godfrey

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 06/04/2011 11:49

Iris and Martha are not underused where I live. And I quite like Hero...

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 06/04/2011 11:48

Thank you, kreecher - it's one of those names that I never get right, gender-wise.

lambrinigirl · 06/04/2011 11:44

have you seen what mylene class has called her baby girl? HERO!!!!!!
I quite like Iris and Martha,both underused.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 06/04/2011 10:29

thereisalight your DD has good taste, it is actually Lesley or you are referring to my father Wink

LuckyWeKeptTheCot · 06/04/2011 10:18

Cora and Lettice are great names. Nearly had a Maud but went for another name.

trice · 06/04/2011 10:13

I know toddlers called cora, agnes, patience, letticia and phylis.

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 06/04/2011 00:45

My DD (5) thinks Leslie is the pretiest name she has ever heard. Apologies to any Leslie's out there. But honestly.

Clary · 06/04/2011 00:34

Not read whole thread but Agnes appears a lot at first ... that was DS2's "girl" name Sad

Also some of you would be surprised - I know an 11yo Muriel, a 7yo Sybil, a 2yo Yvonne. I also know 2 Connies of primary age, several Stanleys, a couple of Arthurs under 11 and a small Ruth.

I work in a secondary school and there we have an Alan, a Roger and a number of Osamas.

No Adolf tho.

moominmarvellous · 06/04/2011 00:29

Can't imagine a baby Linda or Brian. I know of a few baby Johns which just seems incredibly boring!

A friend of mine was considering Maureen for a baby girl - thank god she had a boy!

I also know someone with a son called Baz......not even Barry, just Baz :( poor bugger

Original poster
PrincessFiorimonde · 06/04/2011 00:18

Maud2011 Shock Don't tell anyone, but Yolande was on my side all along. (I think her name even got mentioned up-thread.)

And young Herberts/Herbies, Gertrudes/Gerties and Winifreds have also been mentioned here...

Maud is definitely on the way back. Smile

OK, I had a Great-Uncle Granville. Please no one tell me they know anyone who's been called that in recent years?

And (to pick up a mention from freesias earlier), does anyone know of any little BOYS called any of the following:

Beverley
Evelyn
Shirley
Tracey
Vivian

OP posts:
tiredmummyneedswineandsleep · 05/04/2011 23:34

i'm in my 20s and used to play with a girl a few doors away named pauline. also know of a doreen in her 20s.

tiredmummyneedswineandsleep · 05/04/2011 23:32

i know of a very young keith and two young children called geoffrey

Spinaroo · 05/04/2011 23:29

Aagh, have seen my own name twice - feel so untrendy

countless · 05/04/2011 23:27

should also add

edna

i liked this for dd and compromised with dh on similar name

countless · 05/04/2011 23:24

forgive me if already mentioned but i too often wonder where the finishing line is in the current competition for old people's names..where will it end??

trevor
royston
algernon
eugene
joyce
mildred
hilda
beryl
fanny

i quite liked queenie for dd but not even entertained by dh on that one

stepawayfromthebiscuits · 05/04/2011 22:56

Has anyone said Maureen? Can't see that being shouted out in the park!

Maud2011 · 05/04/2011 22:47

I can't imagine Winifred making a comeback. My grandmother and one of my great aunts were both christened Winifred (I'm talking 1890s/early 1900s). Neither used it herself, auntie was always Win or Bin, and grandmother chose Joan (her middle name which is also now a bit old fashioned) and preferred any number of the silly names we made up for her. She hated her official name and used to pronounce it "Whiny Fred" Grin.