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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Are fifties names having a revival?

190 replies

Jusfloatingby · 03/10/2012 16:47

In the last couple of months I've heard of a baby Jill, a baby Hilary and a baby Judy. I think of these as very fifties Enid Blytoney type names and am just wondering if the fashion for early twentieth century names like Edith, Iris and Ethel is now moving on to another stage?
I love the names Jill and Judy by the way.

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Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 05/10/2012 16:31

Rita is more a 'chip shop' 1950s name. If Rita had been at Malory Towers she would have been smoking out of the dormitory window and cracking open the beer at midnight feasts.

OP posts:
squoosh · 05/10/2012 15:08

Rita.

a)Rita Hayworth
b)Rita from Corrie
c)Rita from 'Rita, Sue and Bob Too'

Tigerbomb · 05/10/2012 14:47

Please don't resurrect Rita. People misread my name and call me that. It's vile

Joan always sounds glamorous, probably because I associate it with Joan Crawford but it is not a name I would inflict on a child.

When will all the new little Sharon and Tracey's appear?

StellaNova · 05/10/2012 14:29

Re: Joan, I can't help but think of Buffy losing her memory:

Dawn: You want me to name you?
Buffy: Oh, that's sweet, but I think I can name myself. I'll name me... "Joan".
Dawn: Ugh.
Buffy/Joan: What? Did you just "ugh" my name?
Dawn: No, I just... I mean, Joan, it's so blah.
Buffy/Joan: I like it. I feel like a "Joan".
Dawn: Fine, that's your purgative.
Buffy/Joan: "Prerogative".
Dawn: Whatever, Joan.
Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 05/10/2012 13:02

I believe June's hostess trolley has never worked properly since.

OP posts:
squoosh · 05/10/2012 12:30

I forgot the incident at Colin and June's buffet. It was the deviled eggs under the nest of tables that gave the game away apparently. Jean tried to cover it up with a doilie but everyone knew.

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 05/10/2012 12:17

Yes, Cynthia was always a snooty little cow, boasting about how well off her father was (self made, no background, from what I've heard).
As for Jean, I believe June and Colin don't even speak to her anymore since that incident at the Colin's birthday buffet.

OP posts:
squoosh · 05/10/2012 11:47

For me Heather is more 1980's American cheerleader.

Cynthia is a bit frosty and stuck up, married to Bernard who has a good job at the bank. Bernard and his secretary Jean (oh Jean you're always such a trollop) spend a lot of time in his office doing 'dictation'.

Merida · 05/10/2012 11:42

I named DS after my two grandads. If I'd had a girl I don't think I'd have had the heart/bottle/inclination to call her after my grandmothers... altho I guess there wouoldn't be too many Harriet Otilia's out there..!

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 05/10/2012 11:31

Oh, I like Hazel.

What about Heather? And there was nearly always a Cynthia in those old boarding school stories.

OP posts:
squoosh · 05/10/2012 10:58

Hazel is another 1950's frump name.

pigletmania · 05/10/2012 09:59

Oh and someone I know had a baby called George, stanley

pigletmania · 05/10/2012 09:57

I have heard of an Elsie, myrtle and Paula, Victoria I am hearing more older names coming back

johnworf · 05/10/2012 09:42

I considered Dorothy (Dottie) and Miriam for my DD#2.

notsosqueakyclean · 05/10/2012 09:42

We have a dog called Rita - I love the name and think it's equally suit a girl - Rita Ora has made it cool again I think. I'm Shirley and have never liked my name - I can't imagine it coming back into fashion again! I was the youngest of 4 girls - my sisters all have decent names - think my parents ran out of ideas! I half thought of changing it to my middle name, Helen but think my Mum would be a little put out. I suppose one saving grace is it's not too common (except among over 60s). Think Shirley Temple was the inspiration - she's got a lot to answer for in my opinion!

notsofrownieface · 05/10/2012 09:15

I love Dotty and Betsy, if I ever have girls that will be their names.

nappyaddict · 05/10/2012 09:03

I like Cindy, short for Cynthia or Lucinda, Cece short for Cecilia or Cecilly. Also like Joanie, Sandy, Lindy, Pamela, Marilyn, Marian. I like Catherine but shortened to Cassie, Kitty or Cady.

mathanxiety · 05/10/2012 04:49

And Nuala and Fionnuala

mathanxiety · 05/10/2012 04:48

Names from the 50s (in Ireland)
Elaine
Lorraine
Aileen
Noreen
Brenda
Pamela
Rosemary
Emer
Grainne
Margaret/Mairead
Geraldine
Carmel

LapsedPacifist · 05/10/2012 01:32

Caroline
Clarissa
Catherine
Katherine
Carol
Lisa
Sheila
Vera
Wendy
Margaret
Ruth
Oonagh
Miriam
Denise
Deborah/Debora/Debra
Hilary
Doreen
Kimberley/Kim
Annis/Annie/Anne/Ann
Jennifer/Jenny
Georgina
Sandra
Rosalie
Rosalind
Rosemary
Karen
Louise/Louisa
Jane
Jean
Mary/Maria
Anthea
Julie/Juliet
Sarah/Sara
Sally
May
April
June
Janine
Elspeth
Linda
Stephanie
Deana
Harmony
Paula
Cheryl
Dawn
Tracy
Donna
Sharon
Diane/Diana
Michelle
Melody
Moira
Marion/Mariana
Jocelyn
Barbara
Helen/Helena
Judith
Minella
Priscilla
Philippa
Cordelia
Annaliece
Leonora
Drusilla
Rosetta
Demelza
Kerensa
Chantelle
Susan
Gillian

ErrorError · 05/10/2012 01:22

LittlePJS I like the name Rex. Regarding the other Rex, it's true I think communities become inspired by baby names and copy others (so consider it a compliment to your good taste Smile) In my area in the 90s there was a succession of female Tyler's born a few years apart.

There seem to be more attractive 50s revival names for girls than boys. Though one 50s boys name I really like is Scott. (You wouldn't think it was 'quintessentially 50s' but it was definitely around then.) Occasionally comes up these days.

LittlePJS · 05/10/2012 01:09

I like Patricia and Blanche - I think Rosemary has been on the increase with the flower names over recent years - so many great names for girls - shame I have 3 boys never got to use any girls names - I suppose I could have gone for Shirley for one of the boys.
Godmother of one of my sons called her son - Mark - not many of those around these days as new babies
I thought my youngest sons name was more of a 50's name - Rex - thought he was going to be the only one locally and now it seems there has been another little one called it close by - hey ho

Pitmountainpony · 05/10/2012 01:06

I am in the US and have met more than one baby Alison , several David's a Colin and a lot of Teagan/Harper/Maddison/Hunter type named kiddos.

ErrorError · 05/10/2012 00:19

ever

ErrorError · 05/10/2012 00:18

Joan Baez might make it every so slightly cool. Then what about Janis (as in Joplin) Not Janice.

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