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Baby names

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

Original poster

Most retro/dated name you've heard recently

463 replies

atthewelles · 09/01/2013 11:26

I heard a woman in the park calling her little girl Madge. I haven't heard that name in years and years. I also know of a little toddler called Sheila.

Just wondering if any of you know any children with names that you thought had died out completely.

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SavoirFaire · 09/01/2013 20:50

Loads of Hectors round here. Also several Dorothys/Dots. Eric at DS's nursery (by the sounds of this thread it is getting popular! Or perhaps we all live in the same postcode!!) and a friend has a Stanley. I was really keen on Violet for DD at one stage, but I hate the nn Vi so we dropped it off the list. And what on earth is wrong with Bridget - it is a gorgeous name?!

weegiemum · 09/01/2013 20:48

I know of a baby Desmond!

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 09/01/2013 20:38

Oh and a Violet Smile

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 09/01/2013 20:38

Gilbert
Paul- the only other ones I know are well into their 60s
Stanley
Ronnie
Maisie

eilonwy · 09/01/2013 20:10

I really can't spell tonight - The Kray twins (not the Cray twins as previously posted, lol). A close friend of mine is called Pauline Irene - which she hates, and partner is Nigel. Lol, couldn't get more retro than that...Sorry to cause offence, but why would anyone call their baby Bridget, or Beryl, or Barbara, Brian or Barry (must have something against the B's)

KikkiK · 09/01/2013 20:09

Since watching The Wizard of Oz on New Year's Day, I've been thinking about how cool it would be to have a wee baby Dorothy. It's probably just as well there's no chance of me having kids any time soon!

TheBOF · 09/01/2013 20:09

I like Raymond, personally. But that's because I knew an adult one years ago who was sex on legs, like a young Sean Connery, mmmm

TheBOF · 09/01/2013 20:04

FlouryWhiteBaps is right though: there is a difference between the early 20th century names like Herbert and Maud, and the late 20th century names like Keith and Pamela. Although they are all retro. Everything comes round again though, once you've run out of made-up or hippy names like Jayden and Autumn.

NellyBluth · 09/01/2013 20:03

Is Ray(mond) too old fashioned?

1944girl · 09/01/2013 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CremeEggThief · 09/01/2013 20:00

Married, I had two Lindas in my school year, growing up in Ireland and there was one the year below. My 31 year old sister has a friend called Lynda too.

eilonwy · 09/01/2013 19:58

I think it depends where you come from as Gaynor is a very common name in Wales, as is Ivan (spelled Ifan) and Hector is a very common Spanish name. Stanley is not unusual anymore - I find it incredible that people jump on bandwagon of "unusual names" making them all common. We named our collie puppies Reg and Ron after the Cray twins over 20 yrs ago...cool names

nannyof3 · 09/01/2013 19:57

Adam!!!!

SecretNutellaFix · 09/01/2013 19:56

I know a Ronnie fairly well, also a Florence

I have also heard from different customers; Darren and Keith, Maisie and Agnes

CremeEggThief · 09/01/2013 19:56

Stella, Sarah is a popular name for girls in Ireland; I know of a few babies named Sarah born over the last few years. Funnily enough, in my generation, there were only a handful. I am 34, and I grew up with more Janets, Gwens, Janices and Brendas than Sarahs. (Although these were not as popular as Michelle, Lisa, Karen and Joanne etc.)

nannyof3 · 09/01/2013 19:55

Frank and Harry (Brothers)

louisianablue2000 · 09/01/2013 19:53

I know a toddler Matthew. And a five year old Annabel which makes me think of very horsy women in their late 40s/early 50s wearing pearls and silk scarves.

The Victorian servant name trend has been going on for ages, that's not retro, it's mainstream.

anewyear · 09/01/2013 19:52

Gonna have to NC now I guess, as I have quite possibly outed myself in RL.

marriedinwhite · 09/01/2013 19:52

Joyce, Pat, Pam, Beryl and Linda will be back soon then.

When I was a little girl I never thought anyone would call their child by my gran's name because it was so old fashioned - Alice Wink

WafflesandWhippedCream · 09/01/2013 19:52

We're not in the UK - DD's classmates include Simon, David, Nicholas, Laura, Sarah and Louise - all names of kids that I had in my class 30 years ago!
I don't think they are considered retro here though.

anewyear · 09/01/2013 19:51

Impy - Amanda or the shortened version in AWESOME!!!!!

But why would anyone want to call their child after their MIL or Beryl!! I really dont know!!

1944girl · 09/01/2013 19:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThedementedPenguin · 09/01/2013 19:44

bearface I've only had one nasty reaction to my sons name. Everyone else has been lovely. I was very nervous but I'm just waiting for the poor sucker that says something nasty as I have vowed to say something even if its only who the hell asked your opinion. :)

Thankfully I haven't needed too.

loobywench · 09/01/2013 19:44

I have a young neice called Rose - lovely name I think!

LynetteScavo · 09/01/2013 19:34

Lots of Seths around here, aged 10 and under. Can't stand the name myself