Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

whatever happened to Linda?

65 replies

CrushWithEyeliner · 23/03/2008 10:57

I think it is rather pretty - think Linda Evangalista..

Is it due a revival - does anyone know a Linda and would you consider it for your DDs?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Kokeshi123 · 19/04/2021 00:35

Not ready for a revival. But it will be.

I don't think Lorna sounds dated at all---it was never popular enough to be associated with a particular generation. It makes me think of Lorna Doone.

Confusednewmum1 · 18/04/2021 21:13

Just call your daughter Lydia- The GP receptionist will always shout Linda

Tillygetsit · 16/04/2021 23:12

Re Xanthe it means golden so I always think of a blonde child.
I'm not keen on Linda. I don't think it's prime for revival.

YoniAndGuy · 16/04/2021 19:08

Linda will come back, and when she does, she'll be holding hands with Susan, Anita and Pamela.

MadeOfStarStuff · 16/04/2021 18:44

I think it will come back but not for at least another generation, along with Susan, Barbara, Carol, Patricia etc.

They’re the kind of names women of my parents generation have, but in another generation there will be people naming their babies after their grandmother or great grandmother Linda etc

KirstenBlest · 16/04/2021 18:25

It's strange isn't it.
I like Fay but not Faye.
Annabel but not Annabelle
Carol but not Carole
etc.

I dislike Johnathan and Jonathon but like Jonathan.

A case of 'if it ain't broke' or overembellishment perhaps.
I'm sure there are other examples

Maggiesfarm · 16/04/2021 17:58

@KirstenBlest

I think it is pretty too, but I don't feel the same about Lynda.
That does seem a bit contrived. Linda is nice as it is.
KirstenBlest · 16/04/2021 14:02

I think it is pretty too, but I don't feel the same about Lynda.

Maggiesfarm · 16/04/2021 13:54

I think 'Linda' is a pretty name too and due a comeback. Look up the meaning before using it.

A close relative has that name and she is smashing!

KirstenBlest · 16/04/2021 13:32

** apologies if you are a very nice person with one of those names.

KirstenBlest · 16/04/2021 13:25

It's one of those names that you probably know one who wasn't very nice. It's one of those names like Sue, Karen, Michelle, Clare, Tracy and Kerry, where nearly every one you've ever met has been a right cow,

Junipersky · 16/04/2021 13:09

If you can get away from the associations I think some of them are nice sounding names.
It's just getting past the Linda/ Brenda of my childhood.
If they have a revival though people will gradually stop associating the names with that era and focus on the new generation.
It's like when I worked with the elderly 20 years ago. They were all called Lily, Mabel, Elsie etc but now I think of those names as children as opposed to elderly.
Not sure I have made any sense with that.

Synchrony · 16/04/2021 11:07

I love Linda and Belinda but husband vetoed.
I also love Carol, Susan and Lorna. Lorna was on my shortlist as it makes me think of wild moors.
I think they are beautiful and hope they do come back! Much nicer imo than Maeve or Elsie which I find very ugly!

ImAlrightThanx · 16/04/2021 10:51

Names cycle around. I don't know if Linda, Sharon or especially Karen will ever return though.

cherrytutu · 16/04/2021 10:20

@AbbeyA

As there seems to be a revival of, what I would term dreadful, names from 1920's-Mabel, Elsie, Winifred, Pearl, Ruby etc I would assume that Linda, Janet, Susan, Patricia, Lesley, Barbara, Brenda etc would follow on next!
I think you were onto something.
MadameCh0let · 24/03/2008 14:52

I used to love the name Lindy. Does anybody remember Lindy English being in the news though? ? ?

DarrellRivers · 24/03/2008 14:41

no, i think it goes with freckles + blue eyes as well

MadameCh0let · 24/03/2008 14:39

No it's a handful of Dust. I read it but couldn't remember, but when somebody else reminded me I remembered..;-?

Xanthe is lovely.... Do you have to be quite dark to be a xanthe though? When you have mouse brown hair, freckles and blue eyes can you be a Xanthe??? Just wondering. It's a gorgeous nam.e

alfiesbabe · 24/03/2008 14:36

Or is it Vile Bodies? (Evelyn Waugh novel)

DarrellRivers · 24/03/2008 14:15

and i have a soft spot for xanthe
watch out if i ever had another daughter

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/03/2008 13:56

ds had a teacher (in her twenties) called Zena

DarrellRivers · 24/03/2008 13:54

zelda is a fab name

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/03/2008 12:38

don't suppose Gay is very popular

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/03/2008 12:37

yes, Joy is nice

MadameCh0let · 24/03/2008 12:36

Joy is lovely. Joyce is a sur name. IMO.

Swipe left for the next trending thread