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Baby names

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

Original poster

What names DONT you really hear anymore?

268 replies

Soubriquet · 27/12/2019 09:58

We’ve done unusual, but what old names do you rarely hear now?

I’ll start with Gary.

I know an adult Gary but no little Gary’s.

Samantha. Again I know adults but not little ones.

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Bananalanacake · 27/12/2019 10:50

I have a 2 yr old Samantha but she calls herself Sammy.

Aragog · 27/12/2019 10:50

Names are often cyclical. People often use names from their grandparents era when naming their own children.

So names like Gary and that era of names won't be coming back in numbers just yet. It's too soon.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/12/2019 10:49

I don't think Sarah is a middle class name, I'd say it's classless. All the classic names are like that. It's one of the reasons I like them. You can't draw conclusions about the background of someone with a classic name.

Nitw1t · 27/12/2019 10:49

Mark
Angela
Amanda

Grufallosfriends · 27/12/2019 10:48

Youd think a traditionally christian country would be full of Pauls!

But any name that becomes 'overused' will soon sound dated and out of fashion. There are so so many Pauls aged 45+!

Nitw1t · 27/12/2019 10:47

Simon

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 27/12/2019 10:47

I'd be surprised to learn James has ever been outside the top 100 boys' names for the last few hundred years. Lovely name, one of my favourites, but unfortunately not one of my husband's, so my son didn't get it.

metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/olivia-muhammad-top-list-popular-baby-names-2019-11266090/ Early indications on top names in the UK in 2019.

I was just thinking the other day that Mark is little used now. I'm in my late 50s and it was very common for boys of my age and maybe anything up to 20 years younger. Not common at all by the time my children were born in the early 90s.

stokenewsarah · 27/12/2019 10:47

My friends have just called their baby Deborah so I think that may be coming back.
Also know of Jean and a Joan and a Barbara. I also think Angela will come back in as it's been on some of my friends lists.

Mrsjayy · 27/12/2019 10:45

James never really went away here i know of young James es .

MerryGrinch · 27/12/2019 10:45

Sarah only fell out of the top 100 names for England and Wales last year (now 103) and Felicity is the 100th most popular.

I was at school with lots of Kelly, Kerry, Stacey and Kirstys and haven't come across any under 30. I recently met a baby Lindsay though.

Haven't heard of any little Lee, Dean, Paul, Troy, Tyrone, Jermaine, Jason, Scott

roisinagusniamh · 27/12/2019 10:45

Interesting thread.
Names have always been an indication of class too, for example , Sharon, Tracey, Gary, Dean would be considered lower middle class names. Sarah, Jane, Anne ..middle class.
I think it's a bit different in Ireland.
People seem to be using old Irish names like Niamh, Aoife, Ciara,Eoin, Cian, less and Italian names seem to be the norm now. Maybe I'm overgeneralising though, as I haven't lived there in 30 years.
I've heard of several Francescas, Sophias etc.

whiskersonkittenss · 27/12/2019 10:44

Ooh Joanne is another. I don't know any under 40

Chocolateandcarbs · 27/12/2019 10:40

Anita
Deborah
Laura
Clare
Peter
Graham
Craig
Ian

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/12/2019 10:40

1970s classics
Gary
Linda
Lesley
Janet
Ian
Mark

isabellerossignol · 27/12/2019 10:39

Haven't seen a James in a long while

Names are so different around the different parts of the UK. James is the top baby name in N Ireland and has been for years. I think I read recently that it has been in the top ten here since N Ireland came into existence around 100 years ago. Guessing that isn't the case elsewhere!

Minster2012 · 27/12/2019 10:39

I was weirdly shocked the other day to hear someone shout “Bruce come here” and a child of about 5 came running....I was expecting a dog!

pollywobble · 27/12/2019 10:39

Russell
Mary
Deidre

MoonlightMistletoe · 27/12/2019 10:38

Laura
Cherrie (sherry)
Glenn
Lorraine
Samantha
Tony

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 27/12/2019 10:38

Hilda, Gordon, Clive

BreatheAndFocus · 27/12/2019 10:37

Oops - missed off Susan. I don’t know is any Susans younger than 50.

JoGose · 27/12/2019 10:37

Oh and Yvonne

blackfred · 27/12/2019 10:36

My dog is named Gary.

Dennis, Graham, Gregory,
Kevin

Susan, Linda, Beryl, Carol

pollywobble · 27/12/2019 10:36

I know 3 Marthas, a teen and 2 under 5-a pretty name

BreatheAndFocus · 27/12/2019 10:36

Mark
Paul
Debbie
Colin
Mandy
Tracy
Carol
Melanie
Frances
Davina
Donna
Karen
Deanne
Nancy
Brenda

isabellerossignol · 27/12/2019 10:36

I don't think Sarah ever really went away where I live. I wouldn't say it was common, but I know people of all ages with that name, the youngest would be about 5. Same with Laura, my teenage daughter has a few Lauras at school with her. I even know a little toddler Gary, but I must admit it took me by surprise when I heard that one, as it is so long since I heard of a child with that name.

I was just thinking the other day that I don't know anyone under the age of around 40 with a name like Valerie, Pamela, Maxine or Veronica.

Maxine might make a come back having been used in Stranger Things?

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