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Baby names

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

Original poster

Old lady names that haven't had a comeback

232 replies

GirlcalledJames · 12/05/2017 11:15

Wondering if any of these will trend:

Eileen, Doreen, Noreen, Maureen
Margery
Dorothy
Doris
Vera
Rita
Norah
Winifred
Mary
Joan
Margaret
Patricia
Ethel
Gladys, Dilys
Edith

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pieceofpurplesky · 12/05/2017 15:38

I have taught 4 on the original list in the last couple of years

Thatextrainch · 12/05/2017 15:14

I know a Betty, Dorothy (Dotty) and a couple of Adas. Come across a few Edie, Mabel and Sylvia/Sylvies since my dd was born a couple of years ago.

I love Stella but dp hates it because of the beer.

I was looking at the stats for Annette the other day (the) I love that name and barely any are registered these days.

I can't see Fanny or Myra ever being popular again but the 'reen' names (Irene/Maureen etc) probably will be. 'ee' names are extremely popular for girls at the moment and this bubble will eventually burst.

Brens13 · 12/05/2017 15:13

It took longer than I thought for my name to come up (page 3, their "worst" Grin. Once you realised that there were 10 Emmas in your class it was quite nice to have a different name!

NotMyPenguin · 12/05/2017 14:47

I would say that Edith and Vera are quite popular.

Phyllis, Gertrude, Priscilla, Doreen... not so much...

n0ne · 12/05/2017 14:41

I love these kinds of names. DD1 is one of the names on your list (I really hope it doesn't get popular!), and my favourite for DC2 if they turn out to be a girl is also in your list. In fact, the whole list is great except Patricia which isn't quite old enough to be vintage, imo.

SnapCrackleOutOfIt · 12/05/2017 14:31

Barbara?

Mrsknackered · 12/05/2017 14:27

The oldest ladies in my family are 'Edie, Flo and Violet' which really could be a sibset today and no one would blink an eyelid.

29Palms · 12/05/2017 14:27

I don't like Renee (pronounced Reenee) but I do like Renée, the French version, which I think is very cool and elegant. Never been popular like Irene, so hasn't dated in the same way.
And the song 'Walk Away Renée' is a classic.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 12/05/2017 14:25

Cynthia
Mildred
Doreen

Gran22 · 12/05/2017 14:24

I know a Betty, a May and an Ada all under eight. These were popular names 80 years ago, rarely heard again until now.

MissHavisham1984 · 12/05/2017 14:23

Myrtle
Kezia
Gwendoline

Lancelottie · 12/05/2017 14:16

We also know a Winifred! Either the country is secretly full of Winifreds, or we all actually live in the same town.

2ducks2ducklings · 12/05/2017 14:12

I love the name Agatha. I also love the nans Renee (pronounced Reenee) I'm not keen on Irene though which is the full name version of Renee.
I'm deliberately looking for old lady names as I like the unpopular unusual names. Although quiet a few old lady names are becoming very popular so I'm in a bit of a quandary.

TheDogsMother · 12/05/2017 14:11

Ohhhhhh nooooo. I've just seen my name mentioned here and I'm not an old lady Shock. The poster did say they thought it was a lovely name though

EssentialHummus · 12/05/2017 14:10

troys mine's been mentioned and I'm 31 Grin!

boobuzz · 12/05/2017 14:05

I know a 6 year old called Daphne!

I love the old lady name Sylvie/a, Stella, Constance and Greta. Oh and Betty!

CricketRuntAndRashers · 12/05/2017 14:04

Troys

My name last made the name stats in 1907 (in the US; the only primarily English speaking country it ever appears on the name stats)... I'm rather ancient as well, according to this ;)

boobuzz · 12/05/2017 14:02

I know 2 Ritas and 1 Edith. My least favourite old lady name is Maude. I know of one.

TroysMammy · 12/05/2017 13:58

Thank you to one pp who has just pointed out my name means I am now officially an old lady. I'm only 49. Sad

Shopkinsdoll · 12/05/2017 13:53

My two late grans were Elizabeth and the other Mary. I love the name Eliza -May. It's Gorgeous

CricketRuntAndRashers · 12/05/2017 13:53

Essential

Vera is lovely. My (young adult) sister went to school with a really bright child named Vera. Good name imo :)

kingjofferyworksintescos · 12/05/2017 13:51

Mabel
Wendy
Karen
Janis
Muriel
Veronica
Mary
Janet
Rosemary

squeaver · 12/05/2017 13:46

I think it will three or four generations before the names of my childhood return e.g.

Lesley
Patricia
Jill/Gillian
Aileen/Eileen
Philippa
Elaine
Alison
Nicola

leannejade · 12/05/2017 13:46

I loved Dot (Dorothy) but loved Winifred more (Winnie for short - having an October baby so liked the nod to Hocus Pocus)

Sophronia · 12/05/2017 13:44

Ethel
Gertrude
Mildred
Hilda
Gladys
Bessie
Ida
Doris
Blanche
Janet
Marion/Marian
Rhoda
Millicent
Gwendolyn/Gwendolen/Gwendoline
Phyllis
Priscilla
Edna
Alma
Eunice
Clarice
Mercy
Dinah
Augusta
Lavinia
Hester
Patience
Prudence
Agatha
Freda
Kathleen
Linda
Irene
Minnie
Beryl
Patricia
Joy
Joyce
Peggy
Brenda
Pamela
Pauline
Paula
June
Monica
Thelma
Rosemary
Sheila
Shirley
Valerie
Norma
Cynthia
Yvonne
Angela
Gillian
Wendy
Jacqueline
Gloria
Heather
Judith
Veronica
Susan
Janice
Carol
Sandra
Diane
Elaine
Lesley
Marilyn
Hilary
Jeanette
Teresa
Sally
Bridget
Lillian/Lilian
Lorraine
Deborah
Sharon
Jill
Annette
Beverley
Gail
Suzanne
Carolyn
Geraldine
Kay
Anita
Denise
Donna
Lynn
Maxine
Andrea

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