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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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StellaNova · 04/10/2012 10:37

Like Anne of Green Gables I prefer Anne-with-an-e.

Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:34

I think Pearl is very cool because of Pearl Lowe.

Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:31

I like Jane. I think it is quite classy. It makes me think of Henry VIII's wife Jane Seymour.

bacon · 04/10/2012 10:31

I had Pearl, Ethal and Gwladys as options for #2 ended up with another boy.

I hate popular/trendy names.

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 10:27

What about Jane Quadrangle? Sad

I really love that name and want it to come back into fashion NOW.

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Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:23

When Lily, Rose and Esme end up in the nursing home they will be looked after by a new generation of Jean, Joan and Junes and it will have gone full circle.

Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:18

I think Joan and Betty have been made very cool indeed by Mad Men

Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:16

Someone called Gloria could only ever be fun. She would have a throaty laugh and long red nails and all the men would fancy her.

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 10:15

Sorry mommybunny. I hope I wasn't insulting you.

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Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 10:14

I like Tess and Tessa. In Ireland in the 50s Marie was usually pronounced Maaree as opposed to Ma-ree which isn't as nice.

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mommybunny · 04/10/2012 10:14

Jusfloatingby - you have no idea how many of those names are in my (Irish-American) family. I hope you're right about Ann - a more unfashionable name you could not imagine Wink.

manicinsomniac · 04/10/2012 10:13

In 40 years time all the Kayleighs, Donnas and Michelles will be in nursing homes being looked after by Lily, Rose and Esme Grin

Quadrangle · 04/10/2012 10:12

You could shorten Philomena to Mena and you could shorten Teresa to Tess. I like those nns. Quite like Marie.

Original poster
Jusfloatingby · 04/10/2012 10:10

Re Enid Blyton type names, I think Ann must surely be due a comeback. It's been out of fashion for ages.

Here in Ireland typical 50s names were horrible: Bernie, Philomena, Patricia, Geraldine, Teresa, Marie. English names of that vintage were much, much nicer.

OP posts:
MadBusLady · 04/10/2012 09:52

I'm not either. But I love Cynthia! There aren't really any other nicknames. Cyn is even worse because of the sound! Thia? But that's practically a different name.

RillaBlythe · 04/10/2012 09:38

I know a baby Cindy. Not sure about that one.

melika · 04/10/2012 09:25

My name makes me feel old it's one of those in the 50's but I was born middle 60's. I sometimes wish I was called something trendier eg Debbie!

mommybunny · 04/10/2012 09:12

I just wanted to call attention to the fabulousness of one of the names in 1944girl's list which everyone seems somehow to have missed: Blanche. Just wow.

BlueSkySinking · 04/10/2012 08:13

Colin, Alan, Ken, Brian,

quirrelquarrel · 04/10/2012 08:10

Oh and I know a Henrietta. Is that 50s?

tethersend · 04/10/2012 06:48

I have an Angie and a Shirley, and I am exceptionally hip Grin

lisianthus · 04/10/2012 06:24

To an Aussie ear, Heather and Christine are very 70s names.

I love Jane and Susan. I know a couple of little Patricias and a small Margaret (all in London).

CheerfulYank · 04/10/2012 00:25

What about a little boy named Roger?

My cousin is Keith, he's 17.

squoosh · 04/10/2012 00:10

It's all about what's familiar isn't it NannaNina? I'm Irish so to me Irish names are very run of the mill, whereas Sylvia and Gloria are from a good generation ago so have started to sound fabulously vintage!

spookytoo · 04/10/2012 00:08

Funny there are so many Henrys. Prince Harry must be an influence there I think.

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