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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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VisualiseAHorse · 10/01/2013 11:37

I know a toddler called Julia.

turkeyboots · 10/01/2013 11:37

I met a baby Alan while on holiday.

tammytoby · 10/01/2013 11:35

Patsy is cute and would be a nice alternative to Pat.

jellybeans · 10/01/2013 11:34

As far as I know it is just Patsy.

MyDingaling · 10/01/2013 11:33

I have taught a Trevor and a Clifford

Hanikam · 10/01/2013 11:33

Retro names are really in fashion. DD is year 6 and has a Maud in her class, also further down the school we have Reggie, Arthur, Lulabelle (?), Isadora, Jemimah, George and Noah.

Adam has to be the oldest name going, and it's always popular.

HelpOneAnother · 10/01/2013 11:31

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notjustamummythankyou · 10/01/2013 11:31

I know two Mavises, an Enid and a couple of Stanleys. Oh, and a Misty (retro in a 1970s way, rather than a 1930s way).

tammytoby · 10/01/2013 11:31

Is Patsy short for Patricia?

jellybeans · 10/01/2013 11:30

Edith as well

jellybeans · 10/01/2013 11:29

Patsy
Margeret

Jux · 10/01/2013 11:29

Enid

I think it sounds horrid, ugly. The little girl was cute though.

tammytoby · 10/01/2013 11:26

Christine and Valerie are lovely names that have a beautiful sound to them imo. I'm less keen on Mavis of Jacquie though.

Agree that the real retro names are those of our parents generation that are underused at the moment. I actually know a little Patricia!

Clawdy · 10/01/2013 11:18

Christine
Valerie
Mavis
Jacqueline
Can't see them catching on,can you!

sonnieboo · 10/01/2013 11:18

I think the really retro 'cool' names will be names like

Barbara
Deborah
Patricia
Sandra

Colin
Brian
Stephen
Bruce

They may not be fashionable right now but will be as our kids grow up and see them as 'granny chic' names.

So you get the best of both worlds by being names one of these names: you will be the only Barbara or Brian in the school and you'll be the parent with the coolest name when you're older!

I think it only takes one or two cute, young Barbaras / Deborahs / Brians for our assocations to change.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 10/01/2013 11:09

Also, my grandmother, born in 1898, was Bernice Mabel. I know one baby Mabel but have not heard Bernice in years.

She pronounced it to rhyme with "furnace".

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 10/01/2013 11:07

Patricia
Barbara
Beverley

I dont' think these are retro or "vintage chic" (love that definition BTW OP), just not in fashion?!

Original poster
atthewelles · 10/01/2013 11:03

Funny, over here in Ireland Alan wouldn't be considered a particulary 'daddish' name and I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid at someone naming their baby Alan.

Nuala, however, which I've seen people rave about on a couple of threads, is a real middle aged Mum kind of name in Ireland and people would definitely be Shock if they were introduced to a baby Nuala and would wonder what on earth the parents were thinking.

I think some of the names being mentioned on here are more 'vintage chic' than 'retro dated'. When I started the thread I had in mind names that are hardly ever used anymore or names from 50s/60s that are too recent to be really old fashioned and cool.

My grandmother was called Maisie and I was really surprised when I first heard of little girls being called this as I really thought of it as a name that would never come back into fashion. Now, it's everywhere.

OP posts:
HelpOneAnother · 10/01/2013 10:44

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SeeBoobies · 10/01/2013 10:34

I know a 5 year old Keith. Makes a change from Thomas and Jack I suppose.

gallifrey · 10/01/2013 10:30

Edith

SamSmalaidh · 10/01/2013 10:25

I know a baby Esther too Grin

StellaNova · 10/01/2013 10:23

I Know a 2 year old Esther. It is a lovely name. Perhaps is the same one!

SunnyL · 10/01/2013 10:13

A friend called their little girl Esther. I think its a lovely name and can't say I know of anyone under 80 years old with that name.

SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie · 10/01/2013 10:10

I have a 5 year old cousin called Edward

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