Why have the more elegant old fashioned names not come back round?

I know two little Dennises so maybe it is coming back in.

Glad to see the Lawrence/Laurence love. I agree that it's timeless, I know one in his eighties, one in his fifties, one in his thirties and one 6mo (lying next to me). Had some strange comments though!

We chose formal names and nicknames. We wanted the DCs' names to last a lifetime. DCs are now in their teens. One still uses the nickname she was known by from birth, the other two now use their formal names.

I think the key is to find a name you like (and agree on) and not worry too much about political connotations! I like sophisticated
That being said spelling is important - I've taught a few Kamrun, Eean, Sharlots and it does make you cringe :)

I thought that said "My dog is Constance and I also have dogs named Francis and Frank". Must get new glasses.

My dgd is Constance and I know a Verity and a Henrietta :) I also have a dgs named Francis [Frank for every day].

Oooh I love Martha and the Vandellas, good thought kitten ;)

Martha & the Vandellas
Martha & the Muffins

.... nah, no drudgery there :)

I don't count Grace in the same bracket as the other names you've listed OP.

I like Martha (was my DGMs name), because of the bible story people think that has connotations of servitude and drudgery. I don't, I'm not religious and so the name for me forever will be associated with a vibrant and sparky lady. Will have to wait for dd2 though...

Laurence is a girls' name in France, the female version of Laurent. Like Florence and Florent.

I prefer Lawrence for a boy. But yes, a nice classic name.

"We love Dennis for our little boy but it hasn't come back yet! I kinda wish it would though as we love it but we don't want people to think its strange"

Any name will become normal once it is attached to a lovely child. Honestly. And you don't need to wait for a name to be 'trendy' - trendy names tend to become fashionable, overused and then fall out of favour again. Go for Dennis if you love it!

Someone upthread said they know Laurences who are 60, 22 and 3. It's one of those names that's never been "in" or "out" really, and those are the best names imo.

In no mans midlands we have all of them....

We love Dennis for our little boy but it hasn't come back yet! I kinda wish it would though as we love it but we don't want people to think its strange

I know a 20 year old Verity, and two old women called Frances (gorgeous name, may use it myself if we have a girl next time).

I have a Laurence and like most of the names on your list so yes, I'm not sure why they are not more popular

It's strange which names 'come back' but I think it's about fashion and I'm not sure which way it's headed now it may be that these names will be bypassed in favour of the next round of Sarah's and Kevin's...

I think you've just listed the difference between full names and nicknames and how they sound tbh.

Milly could come from Millicent or Amelia or Camilla for example or Frankie from Frances/Francis, Tilly from Ottilie or Mathilda, Lilly from Lillian, Evie from Evelyn, Alfie and Freddie from Alfred or Frederick.

I see as many of the 'elegant' names you list being used at the inelegant nicknames you also mention.

Nice one.

My DD has a Shakespearean name.

Mine is after the Shakespearean character. We liked that about Miranda and dh and I could agree on it - so we kept the theme going for the other girls

Rosalind is fabulous.

I've got a Rosalind, too! Mine is mostly named after the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, though, not to be elegant. Plus it was the only name DH and I could agree on.

I agree that the recent fashion for 'cutesy' names like Lily, Poppy, Archie, Alfie, Evie, Ellie, Tilly, Charlie is starting to fade. Any trend will eventually fall out of favour, especially one that has risen so quickly in popularity!

I think people are starting to look for more 'solid' sounding names and actually love all the names in your op! Also like Reuben, Quentin, Margaret and Beatrice.

I've got a Rosalind. I do recommend it Also a Miranda and a Beatrice.

I like Augusta, Ada, Viola btw

Yes, and there are a few names that have long been popular in the UK which are virtually unknown in the USA. Joanna/Joanne for instance. And Nicola.

I am a total name geek and find the subject (more than likely disproportionately ) fascinating.

We're now living in a different country from where the DC were born (UK) and it's interesting to note that we're subject to pretty much the same popular names - lots of Millys, Evies, Harrys, et al here, too.

The US does seem to be out on a tangent, with some of the same popular names, but the majority of which are really far more popular there than anywhere else. The trend of surnames for girls, many of which are quite masculine (e.g. Tucker, Taylor, even Lennon), for instance, is something which has only caught on in certain segments in other Eng-speaking countries... These names are quite distinct from the frilly, feminine Isabella, Olivia, Sophia-type names popular elsewhere.