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Baby names

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

Original poster

Classic names that are currently underused

67 replies

HoneyandRum · 23/06/2013 19:37

It's mostly boys names that come to mind

Mark
Matthew
Luke
John (all the Gospel writers then!)
Jonathan
Paul
Stephen
Gregory
Peter
Andrew
Philip

Mary

Oh I've realised that my list is all made up of names with a history in the Christian tradition so that might explain why, with the decline in church attendance? Would that really be a reason or is it purely fashion?

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DesertOrchid · 26/06/2013 22:04

I have a Sally, that seems underused.

Only about 50 or so a year, and yet Molly, Milly, Polly, Tilly, all relatively common.

I do find people think it's my name rather than hers though!

PiratePanda · 26/06/2013 19:30

Trevor
Marjorie
Nigel
Donald
Mavis

glorious · 26/06/2013 19:23

I have an Ellen honey and we were aiming at classic but underused so I'm glad at least one other person agrees! I find it surprising given how popular Ellie/Ella are. Lots of lovely names here imo.

FreedomOfTheTess · 26/06/2013 13:04

Margaret is a there or thereabouts name in the U.S.

It has lingered in the 100s (mainly the mid to late 100s) ever since dropping out the top 100.

It never fell completely out of favour like it did here.

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 26/06/2013 12:57

Back in the US we had a young neighbour called Margaret (and her name was never shortened) her brothers were Parker and Sam. Two doors down lived Miles, Clare and Owen! So maybe Americans are willing to relaunch some classic names before the Brits?

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FreedomOfTheTess · 26/06/2013 12:40

NigellasGuest - when Mary was born, the name Jean suddenly popped into my head, and it took as about 10 days to finally settle on Mary.

However realistically, with a son named Jack, we felt we couldn't use Jean, as they're both obviously forms of John.

MortifiedAdams · 26/06/2013 12:06

Little boy (under two), in the park today called Owen - not a name common around young 'uns!

Wincher · 26/06/2013 09:16

We are considering Nicholas for DS - I'd definitely call it a classic name, yet I haven't met any small ones recently, and we were surprised to find it has fallen out of the top 100.

NigellasGuest · 25/06/2013 23:00

just wondering, has Downton had an influence on the resurgence of Mary?
I love Diana, it feels SO elegant.
I'm weird, I like Julie, and Jean.

Has anyone mentioned Jane? they don't come more classic than that! definitely due a revival!

CocktailQueen · 25/06/2013 23:00

My Rebecca is almost 10 - a great name :)

ellesabe · 25/06/2013 22:51

I'd give Margaret another decade...

SaguaroBlossom · 25/06/2013 22:11

Does anyone know any babies called Margaret? Seems to have completely disappeared.

ellesabe · 24/06/2013 19:16

I was going to say Mary too - where are they all?

SugarMouse1 · 24/06/2013 18:55

Caroline
Patricia
Rose
Laura
Louisa
Jennifer
Rachael
Elsa/Elsie
Jayne
Harriet
Josephine
Susannah
Francine
Victoria
Helena
Eleanor
Thelma
Theodora
Felicity
Cecilia

CPtart · 24/06/2013 15:41

Natalie
Catherine
Jennifer

Andrew
Christopher

eatyourveg · 24/06/2013 15:25

I bet Mary will soar in popularity soon (odds on favourite in my book for the royal baby)

sweetkitty · 24/06/2013 15:24

I know 3 Andrews under 5
2 Maria's
2 Michaels
3 Sarah's
1 Theresa
1 Mary
1 John
1 Raymond (both named after their Dad)
1 Brian

PeterParkerSays · 24/06/2013 15:13

I can think of a number of girl's names that I think of as being elegant / grown up, which don't seem popular:

Audrey
Evelyn
Miriam
Ursula

Generally pick up a D H Lawrence book and choose a woman's name at random!

squoosh · 24/06/2013 15:12

That's interesting that Mary is already making a comeback in Ireland, the last batch would only be in their mid to late 40's by now.

I'm a bit torn on Mary, on the one hand I love it's elegant simplicity, on the other hand I don't like the Virgin Mary connection and the fact that I and every other Irish woman my age has Mary as their middle name.

Mollydoggerson · 24/06/2013 15:08

Mary is making a big comeback in Ireland. I know at least 2 baby Mary's.

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 24/06/2013 10:56

Anthony - is that being used in the UK at the mo for babies?

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AntoinetteCosway · 24/06/2013 10:45

Sarah
Elizabeth
Ruth
Robert

Original poster
HoneyandRum · 24/06/2013 10:27

Mary is a lovely name and will be a lot more cutting edge due to being so little used for babies.

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FreedomOfTheTess · 24/06/2013 09:56

*daughters' names - d'oh!

FreedomOfTheTess · 24/06/2013 09:56

My daughters are Sarah and Mary.

Sarah might still be top 100, but it's been sliding down the list for several years now, and it's certainly not as widely used as it was at the height of its popularity. When my Sarah (3) was born, I got a lot of, "oh you don't hear that a lot these days, how beautiful" comments. In fact people still say today, "how refreshing to hear of a Sarah among a sea of

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