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Baby names

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

Are these names back in fashion?

131 replies

diddlediddle · 30/05/2019 22:09

Just wondering if we think these names are usable again. Eric already seems to be back in. I don't think any of these are inherently horrible words (except maybe Derek!)? What do we think - are any ok?

Neil
Alan
Keith
Ian
Martin
Malcolm
Trevor
Clive
Derek
Paul
Brian
Graham
Barry
Kenneth
Glen
Philip
Nigel
Colin
Terence
Kevin

OP posts:
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ReganSomerset · 31/05/2019 09:00

I really like Hugh and Colin, but Colin means young and I'm superstitious so wouldn't use it.

TurquoiseAndPurple · 31/05/2019 08:59

I really hope not.

lumpy76 · 31/05/2019 08:58

I have a nearly 13yr old Dennis. He was named after his paternal grandfather....By DH whilst I was still high of gas and air! However, it suits him down to the ground...he's a bit of a grumpy old man and like to live in pjs 🤣

Watersnail · 31/05/2019 08:55

Eric is great. I also like Neil, Brian, Philip, Colin.

Poppyfields21 · 31/05/2019 07:56

I agree that Philip isn’t for this list, it’s a classic name

Coolcoolcoolcoolcool · 31/05/2019 07:53

Colin is pretty timeless imo, thanks mainly to the lovely Firth.

Aurorie11 · 31/05/2019 07:51

I have a DS age 11 who has one of these names. We chose it as it’s has family links, and you can’t guess from his name whether he’s a child or adult. Don’t care it’s not fashionable.

Coolcoolcoolcoolcool · 31/05/2019 07:47

*sea 🌊

Coolcoolcoolcoolcool · 31/05/2019 07:46

I like malcolm, kind of so square that it comes all the way back around to cool Grin. Reminds me of a Howard I knew at uni, very cool name in a see of Toms and Chrises.

origamiunicorn · 31/05/2019 07:45

*goldensugar2

Actually some of them do sound refreshing after all the cutesy Alfie, Archie, Olly names recently. *

That's it, you're an adult longer than a child. People should really think of what suits an adult not a toddler.

FannyFeatures · 31/05/2019 07:43

I think some are still in use and the rest will probably come around again.

Definitely no worse than the millions of "old" names we have now, Archie/Alfie/Charlie/Bertie etc etc.

origamiunicorn · 31/05/2019 07:43

What's wrong with those names though. Yes they may not suit a baby but you're an adult for longer and they're pretty normal adult names Confused

goldensugar2 · 31/05/2019 07:42

I think more 'solid' names will gain popularity
Mark
Philip
Frank
Colin

IntoValhalla · 31/05/2019 07:41

I know one toddler Ian - but his parents aren’t British, and it’s becoming quite a “trendy” name in their home country.

I actually don’t mind Terrence Blush

ErrantTesselation · 31/05/2019 07:38

I know several pets with names mentioned here, which I think is a sign they'll come back - today's ironic pet name is 2030's cool baby name.

goldensugar2 · 31/05/2019 07:36

Actually some of them do sound refreshing after all the cutesy Alfie, Archie, Olly names recently. I like Philip, Paul and Ian in particular.

Scissor · 31/05/2019 05:21

Primary age Keith known here (not mine).. Actually works really well in a hippy vibe .. Think Heath type name and it starts to work..

CrumpetyTea · 31/05/2019 05:18

Isn't the rule of thumb that they come back when they are grandparent names ? I think these are still too young- they really are mid sixties- Early 70s names (tend to be parent's of teenagers I think/)
I don't like them as names but that's because I'm from the end of that generation - other names from that era which are a bit more acceptable include Nicholas, David, Christopher, Michael, Simon and Matthew which I prefer

LizziesTwin · 31/05/2019 04:59

I know a Leonard/Lenny who is 5

HappyDinosaur · 31/05/2019 04:45

I like some of them but Martin isn't great, Philip is nice though.

BitOfFun · 31/05/2019 03:58

I love the idea of naming a child Kenneth, purely so I could say "It's beyond our ken" on a regular basis. Which would probably psychologically damage them over time, so it's a good job I'm way past having babies...

Rocketgirl1 · 31/05/2019 03:52

I don’t think any of them are due a comeback. Eric is the best.

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 31/05/2019 03:48

I think the 1930s names a pp listed will be back in fashion first! Maybe they already are? I've seen lots of them in use on nameboards. Some are already back:

Frank definitely is. Leonard and Sidney I think have already joined the 'cool vintage names' category . Hugh is definitely back.
Ivan and Ivor too. Ralph, Robin and Edwin both seen very usable to me - were they ever totally out?

Whatareyoutalkingabout · 31/05/2019 03:43

Haha omg no. They might be in use but they're definitely not in fashion!

eeela · 31/05/2019 03:29

Phillip 100% has been popping up much more. I can see Martyn coming back too, and Ian. Not on your list, but like a pp said - I can also see Mark making a come back.

Graham is still seen as a useable name in the US. Semi similar with Colin I believe.

Keith for babies in Australia (2 of the 4 boys under 3 I know in oz are called Keith). I told someone this recently and they thought I was joking as it's seen as the name that 'goes' with put the shrimp on the Barbie mate but it's true.

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