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Baby names

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Original poster

Old lady names

87 replies

Gimmeechocolate · 31/01/2013 11:50

I really love old lady names and already have 2 DDs with old names.

I have fallen in love with the name Ethel. Everybody I know hates it and laughs at it.

I guess what I am asking is what are your associations with it as a name other than 'old lady'?

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eatyourveg · 07/02/2013 07:35

Doris Gladys Gertrude, Mavis and Ethel are all terrible
Mabel, Constance, Violet, Betty and Camellia (Millie) all much nicer

SneakyBiscuitEater · 07/02/2013 07:16

To me Ethel is Ethel Hallow from the worst witch books, she wasn't very nice... How about some other nicer character names?

Mildred (Millie)
Enid
Maud

My DH vetoed all of the above as too witchy but I did luff the books.

tinygreendragon · 06/02/2013 22:51

I hated my name as a kid because it was an 'old lady name' and I'm yet to meet another Joy who is under the age of 60. But since I've grown up I now love it because I haven't met another Joy my age Grin.

I'm sure they are out there, I just haven't met them yet Smile

Anjou · 06/02/2013 12:41

The most important thing is that you like the name - who cares if others like it, or if they associate it with a girl from school/a neighbours dog etc!! There will always be trends and these will differ by area - one mans 'posh' is another mans 'chav'', I find! However, there are just some words which sound unpleasant/clunky no matter what your accent. For me, Ethel is one if them. It's just not a nice sound. I'd add Mavis, Maud and Doreen to that list too. (Sorry to anyone who has or likes those names - each to their own!).

There are some nice suggestions on here though. I'll add Cecily. Smile

raisah · 05/02/2013 21:00

Eloise
Violet
Lillian
Alma
Nora
Betsy

Wereonourway · 05/02/2013 20:46

I had a gran called lettice, she was basically called lettuce all of her life.
I like daisy and connie, I think they would go with your other ds's names( beautiful by the way)
What about bella??

BloodyAwful · 05/02/2013 20:32

I have a DD with the same name as one of yours and have just had another called Elsa. I love Ethel, if you love it then use it! Enid is great too.

Cocodale · 05/02/2013 18:24

Love it, heard of an Elsie the other day which I also think is lovely x

MidnightMasquerader · 05/02/2013 18:15

Ethel wasn't a very likeable character, but she was glam. Grin

atthewelles · 05/02/2013 16:28

Ethel always reminds me of the sister in the William books (as another poster has said) but even though I loved the books, I really don't like the name.

What about Sybil?

ZolaBuddleia · 04/02/2013 15:45

I love Pearl too. There was a Beulah in my family, love it! Constance / Connie?

baskingseals · 03/02/2013 10:16

What about Joy? i think it's popular as a middle name, but would be lovely as a first name.

i also have a bit of a secret love for Audrey.

echidnakid · 03/02/2013 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alanyoung · 03/02/2013 08:36

What about Lettice - a true and well respected Victorian name?

alanyoung · 02/02/2013 19:52

Isn't this just about the craziest thread you've ever read?

alanyoung · 02/02/2013 19:51

Careful what you say, naughtynaughtynamechange. I had an aunty named Ethel and she was my favourite aunt. I can remember her teaching me how to cross the road using traffic lights in about 1953 when I was six years old.

She actually lived in Eccles, Manchester, so she was Ethel from Eccles!

VerySmallSqueak · 02/02/2013 18:37

How about the regal names that have stood the test of time - Victoria,Elizabeth etc?

blushingm · 02/02/2013 18:21

Agnes?

armagh · 01/02/2013 19:58

Clemency ?
Think Gladys, Rita, and Dolores are a step too far.
What about Eithne ( pronounced Eth na)?
Love Elsie too. Actually Ethel not too bad- sounds nicer than it looks.

TheFantasticFixit · 01/02/2013 19:56

Our dd is Bess Violet - I absolutely adore 'old' names and we get so many comments about how nice her name is

Zappo · 01/02/2013 19:49

nn Dot or Dottie

Zappo · 01/02/2013 19:49

Don't know if it's been suggested- Dorothy nn Dottiw. Has the same 'th' sound to it

MerlotAndMe · 01/02/2013 19:46

I worked in a nursing home and all of the names except a few are back. Nancy, Mary, Norah, Greta..

So now 'old lady names' for me would have to be people in their 70s, not late 80s.

SoggySummer · 01/02/2013 19:41

Nancy?

rainbow2000 · 01/02/2013 13:37

Dont like Ethal to harsh sounding.Love Millicent great name and would go great with your other kids names.Hetty is fabulous