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Baby names

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

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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GirlOutNumbered · 31/01/2013 20:09

Dottie - short for Dorothy. That's lovely.

BandersnatchCummerbund · 31/01/2013 20:06

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MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 31/01/2013 19:59

Doris/Doreen/Dorothy?
Lettice?
Florence?
(everyone hates this one but I love it) Hebe?
Margaret/Millicent/Maureen?

Antipag · 31/01/2013 19:56

I like Ethel. To hell what others think, it's your baby, you aren't naming it Satan Ballcrack or something l!

WafflesandWhippedCream · 31/01/2013 19:53

I don't associate Ethel as "old lady" actually, I think of the glamourous elder sister who everyone was always falling in love with in the Just William books.

I don't think it's any worse than many of the other names suggested! (but clearly I am in a minority Grin)

Original poster
Gimmeechocolate · 31/01/2013 19:51

Thanks again everyone.

It's interesting isn't it because I would say Barbara, Blanche, Beryl, Joyce, Veronica and Edith are nowhere near as nice as Ethel! Horses for courses and all that!

Sasparillo - I love Dottie but is it too many 't's with Hetty?

Ficidy and Soggysummer - Also love Betty and Betsy but too close to Hetty.

I really like Violet but people have put me off by saying it sounds like vile and Maud also as have been told it sounds like mould. Funnily with Ethel people just say it's horrible!

My dh doesn't like it but I know i will really regret not using it!

OP posts:
amck5700 · 31/01/2013 19:43

Dolores (Dolly)?

MrsMoppetMama · 31/01/2013 19:38

I've got an Esther and lots of people say how nice it is to hear an 'old fashioned' name. I think old lady names are great and better than some made up names - at least when they're old ladies their names will suit them!!Grin

Lollybrolly · 31/01/2013 19:33

Marion
Phyllis
Vivian
Mavis
Gillian
Nesta
Netty
Wilma
Gwen or Gwenda or Gwendoly/Gwendolene
Ursula
Olive
Judy
Agatha or Aggie

SoggySummer · 31/01/2013 19:20

Oh dear - I really want to offer you some support for Ethel but just can't. Sorry.

My suggestions are:

Agnes
Alma
Barbara
Betty
Blanche
Bridgit
Cecily
Constance
Doris
Eliza
Elspeth
Enid
Eunice
Gladys
Hesta
Hester
Jean
Marjorie
Maud
Myrtle
Pearl
Violet

Ficidy · 31/01/2013 18:51

Estelle
Ada
Betsy

Sasparillo · 31/01/2013 18:21

Iris, Hetty & Daisy?
Iris, Hetty & Delilah?
Iris, Hetty & Charlotte?
Iris, Hetty & Dottie?
Iris, Hetty & Poppy?

Lovely names you have already :) I love the current 'vintage names' trend we have going on!

SwedishEdith · 31/01/2013 18:05

Ethel Austen as well and Eastenders. Not sure it actually sounds very nice? I really like Rita as well despite it having very unglamourous real life associations.

Viviennemary · 31/01/2013 17:48

Ethel is dreadful. Even when I was a child Ethel was awful. I like Violet too. Veronica is nice but you never hear it these days. And Esther.

SunshineOutdoors · 31/01/2013 17:38

Esther? A bit similar but sounds nicer to me.

Harrysmummysarah1 · 31/01/2013 17:35

I was just going to suggest violet ? Smile

SurreyWithAFringeOnTop · 31/01/2013 16:28

Ooh Iris and Hetty were my top two for a girl (I had a boy). I also loved Violet, Dora and Greta.

I for one like Ethel, though I do prefer the ones I have already listed.

amck5700 · 31/01/2013 16:10

Vera
Peggy
Ina
Philomina (Mina)

amck5700 · 31/01/2013 16:07

My Mum is a Hetty and her sisters are/were: Margaret (Rita), Elizabeth (Bunty) and Ena - not sure what that was short for.

Sister in laws were Mary x 2, Margaret, Alison. Evelyn & Norma.

Anything any use? - Quite liking Rita actually.

GirlOutNumbered · 31/01/2013 15:55

I had two lovely old aunts; Ethel and Hazel.
Fantastic ladies!

MortifiedAdams · 31/01/2013 15:24

love Hettie!

What about:
Flora
Meg
Nancy
Nora

HorraceTheOtter · 31/01/2013 15:23

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Original poster
Gimmeechocolate · 31/01/2013 15:22

Thanks for all your responses. Outing myself here but already have Iris and Hetty.

I like Mabel and Esme a lot but already know at least three of each. Would have gone for Elsie but my brother called his daughter Elsie!

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Sasparillo · 31/01/2013 15:19

I love old lady names too, but Ethel is probably the name I like the least! What about Elsie? Probs my fave at the moment xx

whatyoulookinat · 31/01/2013 14:27

I'm too a lover of old lady names & think Ethel us great. Doesn't make me think of anything in particular, just a good old fashioned name but very 'now' without being try hard.