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Baby names

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

Original poster

Retro names that seem to be making a comeback

104 replies

user1485342611 · 14/06/2018 11:46

I know we've had lots of Elsies and Rubys and Lillys in recent years - but I'm wondering if they're going to go out of fashion soon and what will be the next phase of names.

I know a 2 year old called Judy and someone at work with has also just called their little daughter this. I also know of two babies called Marjorie.

What other retro names have you heard of recently?

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daisypond · 14/06/2018 20:35

Yes, little Barbaras have been around for a while.

deptfordgirl · 14/06/2018 20:33

Oh and I've heard Barbara is becoming popular with ultra cool parents.

deptfordgirl · 14/06/2018 20:32

Peggy

Clarashan · 14/06/2018 20:31

I know of a baby Raymond, 2 Edith's a Diane (about 3years) and Anne and multiple Norah's

Vintagegirl77 · 14/06/2018 20:22

There was a little Rodney in the park last week. Couldn't believe what I was hearing.

daisypond · 14/06/2018 19:09

Elsie gets mentioned on the baby name board a lot now, Peachy. I actually think its time has been and gone. It's a bit Victorian/Edwardian and the new names will be 1930s-ish.

Peachy92 · 14/06/2018 19:05

Is Elsie popular nowadays?! Oh man that's my fav name for one and thought it was so different haha 😂

17caterpillars1mouse · 14/06/2018 19:00

I've come across a few young Ray's recently as well as an Arnie and a Dorothy

KeefBurtain · 14/06/2018 18:51

@margentina don’t be so sure - I have a 14 year old called Stanley and I would never have guessed it would be as poplular as it is now!

Thirtyrock39 · 14/06/2018 18:49

I love Caroline and Judy - 1970s American names (like characters in a Judy Blume book ) and I have a Stephanie which is still unusual

RiddleyW · 14/06/2018 18:46

DS (3) has friends called Edith, Margot, Ivy, Elizabeth, Albert, Nora.

margentina · 14/06/2018 18:45

@KeefBurtain mine is eight and I don't know any others - I don't think it's going to be the new Milo or Oscar! Grin

KeefBurtain · 14/06/2018 18:43

@margentina I have a Leonard too! He’s 1 this month, not heard of another before now!

Littlelondoner · 14/06/2018 18:42

Heard a few daphnes, trudys, cynthias rescently.

And a fair few jimmy, ronny, reggie, dennis, houie and howies amongst the boys.

I naturally ashumed they where named after their grandparents or a family member?

margentina · 14/06/2018 18:37

I have a little Leonard / Lenny! I love old fashioned classic names.

MeyYael · 14/06/2018 18:34

Sylvia, Sylvie, Gloria, Vera, Alma.

30ies/40ies names, I suppose.

KeefBurtain · 14/06/2018 18:29

There’s a little Muriel at our toddler group

Crunchymum · 14/06/2018 18:25

Know a Winifred and a Hattie and an Edith.

Love them all.

Also love Jean.

keepingbees · 14/06/2018 16:40

I've heard Stanley, Jeffrey and Stephanie on little ones recently

Petalflowers · 14/06/2018 16:39

Met a baby Steve recently.

IggyAce · 14/06/2018 16:34

Barbara, Arlene, Janet and Mabel.
David, Paul and possibly Derek.
My Nanna was Norma but I can't see that making a come back.

Jammycustard · 14/06/2018 16:33

I know a Rita, a Dorothy, a Bridget, a Nina, a Richard, a Raymond and a Jeremy.

dingdongdigeridoo · 14/06/2018 16:32

I know a 6-year old Alan and a Pamela. Both named after grandparents. But still seems a little weird. I guess over time the current ‘middle aged’ names will become cool again and be in heavy usage.

I think Ronnie and Reggie have been around for a while. I know someone who used one of those names because of the Krays which is pretty weird.

Pemba · 14/06/2018 16:23

DD aged 25 was at school with a Sylvia. I think it's a lovely name, was used in literature in the 17th and 18th centuries I believe, it's not just a 1930s name.

Patricia, Pamela, Cynthia, Barbara, Celia, Marjorie, Dorothy/Dorothea are all nice too if you think about it objectively. Disassociate from older ladies that you may know with these names, and imagine they're new unusual names. And Mary, Anne, Jane, Susan are all classics of course. Although I'm not so keen on Joyce, Joan and Beryl.

MrsJayy · 14/06/2018 16:17

I heard Kevin yesterday little Kevin looked about 2 i guess that isn't the retro you meant Grin