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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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mathanxiety · 05/04/2011 22:27

I think Ruth is coming back.

I know a Hazel, June, Gillian, two Paulinas (both Polish though) and several Bridgets and Noras, all under 8.

Olifin · 05/04/2011 22:24

awwww nanatothree I agree with most of yours but Ruth is a superb name, in my opinion. I had it on my list but OH vetoed it as he sometimes pronounces 'th' as 'f', the buffoon. I do know two little Ruths though. I wouldn't put it in the same category as some of these other suggestions. Perhaps because it's Hebrew and the biblical names always seem timeless to me.

Maud2011 · 05/04/2011 21:52

PrincessFiorimonde Shock

Completely off topic but I'm thrilled to see you here. How did you ever manage to escape from your life as a bead?

MollyMurphy maybe Fanny will come back in a few hundred years when its present meaning has gone out of use Grin

I can't see Gertrude or Ethel, Ethelred or Herbert coming back.

My own Mumsnet name Maud is pretty old fashioned and I love it - but think it would be quite a hard name for a little girl so doubt it will come back in a big way as I can't think of any diminutives. To me it suggests a rather grand, confident middle aged or older lady (I'm middle aged btw but neither grand nor confident)

SugarSkyHigh · 05/04/2011 21:39

Has anyone said Deirdre?

nanatothree · 05/04/2011 21:37

What about

Hazel
Pauline
Christine
June
Sandra
Lorraine
Susan
Doreen
Patricia
Gail
Bridget
Elsie
Ruth
Joyce
Gillian

MollyMurphy · 05/04/2011 21:04

hazeyjane "Fanny" lol! I agree, I don't see that one making a rebound.

emmanumber3 · 05/04/2011 20:56

blackswan Amy? What's wrong with Amy? Confused

crazymum53 · 05/04/2011 20:40

I do know a 3 year old Brian - my dds cousin !

aStarWithHerOwnWays · 05/04/2011 17:53

Lester could make a comeback simply off the back of Lester Freamon, the world's coolest miniature furniture-making natural po-lice.

freesias · 05/04/2011 17:36

orville
winston
homer
lester
dudley

BibiBelle · 05/04/2011 17:10

pinkyena - Fergus is getting quite common in Scotland, I know at least 2 nearby and more near Smile

muminthecity · 05/04/2011 16:11

I know 2 little girls called Minnie, both are called Hermione and use Minnie as a nickname. I also know an Edith and an Olive.

I absolutely love the name Seamus for a boy, when I mentioned this to my (83 year old, Irish) Grandad he told me it was much too old fashioned, a name for old men not little boys! Grin

Woodlands · 05/04/2011 16:03

stodg have just been at stay and play and there was a 14 month old stanley there with his dad. i also see him with his gran at another weekly session. i like the name!

pinkhyena · 05/04/2011 15:59

We were at the park btw.

pinkhyena · 05/04/2011 15:59

I heard a mum call her little boy (about 3 or 4 yo?) Fergus. I wouldn't have put that name down as having a revival. Gorgeous little boy shame he was having a strop and not letting my DS on the swing.

Mirage · 05/04/2011 15:48

dd2's [5] best friend is Margot,my sils are Pauline,Linda,Christine,Diane and Joanne.One of my many nieces is a Gemma.

Does anyone think that Katharine/Kate will go up the ratings in the near future?

lottiejenkins · 05/04/2011 15:32

all this talk of Sidney and the old fashioned names reminds me of grin!!!

sdotg · 05/04/2011 15:04

I have a Stanley, 14 months old....avoided DH's other choice of Sidney mind...

Ariesgirl · 05/04/2011 14:53

I know little children called Olive, Florence, Percy, Prudence, Rupert and Elsie. I admit I was very impatient when I found them out - it was as though they named the babies that just to test their friends' and relatives' acting abilities. "Oh - Prudence? Lovely!"

Why did someone mention Gemma? It's dead normal and nice!

Butkin · 05/04/2011 14:39

We know a couple of young boys called Algernon and Flashman. You have to be a person of character to carry those off these days.

MySweetPrince · 05/04/2011 14:03

The young couple down our road have just had twin girls....Muriele and Maude.........somehow look better with the added e.

NanaNina · 05/04/2011 13:59

Very interesting thread. My name is not here but I don't like it anyway, but liked it's shortened version. The only old name I haven't seen here is Arthur, and there are 2 in my friend's road, both born recently. She too thought the new father was joking but no..........

Seeline · 05/04/2011 13:49

I know a baby DOuglas and a 7 yo Agatha (Aggie) - they all come round again eventually!

CornishTwinMoominMamma · 05/04/2011 13:32

ElsieMc - Winifred Annie, Elsie Mary - my daughters are Lily Winifred Jessie (just not brave enough to go for Winifred - kind of wish I had been) and Elspeth Mary.

CornishTwinMoominMamma · 05/04/2011 13:30

I actually like most of the names that have been mentioned on this thread.
I know a couple of baby Aggies, an Ophelia, a Herbie, Gilbert, Walter, Wilbur and Frank.

I think names from my generation sound wrong for babies...

Nicola, Kelly, Kirsty, Joanne, Janine, Julie, Kerry, Michelle, Lindsey, Dawn, Donna, Andrea, Louise, Vicky, Becky, Stacey...

...Craig, Gavin, Jamie, Kevin, Wesley, Gareth, Stuart, Paul, Phillip, Nicky, Mark, Martin, Andrew.