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Baby names

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

Retro girl names

134 replies

kfellover · 26/08/2024 19:40

I only have a few days before I’m due and we still haven’t decided on a name. We’ve narrowed down boys names to Dale, Lyle, Floyd and Dean. I know these names won’t be to everyone’s taste but they’re what we’ve decided on and we’ll most likely wait and see what name suits the baby the most.

For girls we are a bit stuck, we like similar names to what we do for boys, sort of mid-century maybe even a bit ‘dated’ and not very common now. More retro than vintage. We like Darla, Patsy, Tansy and Thelma/Velma but not dead happy with any of them. Darla is probably our favourite but I think it’s becoming a bit more popular. I prefer prettier names for girls than I do for boys. Any ideas?.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MummyInTheNecropolis · 27/08/2024 12:49

I think Angela (Angie) and Frances (Franny) belong on your list!

AliceMcK · 27/08/2024 12:34

NoSnowdrop · 27/08/2024 11:42

Shona is great and very uncommon.

Also what about Deirdre? Trudy? Candy or Cindy? Bonnie?

I know quite a few Shonas, not in the UK, all probably in their 30s now.

kfellover · 27/08/2024 12:13

NoSnowdrop · 27/08/2024 11:42

Shona is great and very uncommon.

Also what about Deirdre? Trudy? Candy or Cindy? Bonnie?

I really like Trudy

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NoSnowdrop · 27/08/2024 11:42

Shona is great and very uncommon.

Also what about Deirdre? Trudy? Candy or Cindy? Bonnie?

kfellover · 27/08/2024 11:31

Also really like Dewey for a boy, which we hadn’t considered before.

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kfellover · 27/08/2024 11:30

SingingSands · 27/08/2024 10:44

Great names 😀

I also like Dale for a girl. Might be a bit out there for some, but I think it works.

I like it for a girl as well, it’s quite feminine sounding.

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SingingSands · 27/08/2024 10:44

Great names 😀

I also like Dale for a girl. Might be a bit out there for some, but I think it works.

farleysrusks · 27/08/2024 10:29

What’s with the Scooby Doo bashing?!

kfellover · 27/08/2024 10:24

loosestrife · 27/08/2024 05:08

Siunds like you're going for a rockabilly feel, American 1950s. You might enjoy this discussion:

Ready for Rockabilly names?

That’s brilliant, thank you! Will go through them now.

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BunnyLake · 27/08/2024 09:44

RogueFemale · 26/08/2024 23:49

@kfellover Me: Velma, Dawn and Twyla are fucking awful.
You: In your opinion. It’s one thing to say you don’t like a name, but to say a name is fucking awful is just rude.

I agree I was rude, but I was rude for a reason - because it needed to be emphasised how bad these name ideas are. They all scream 70s provincial shop assistants.

There are so many nicer names out there (to me) but I guess it’s very much down to personal taste and that can differ wildly.

BunnyLake · 27/08/2024 09:31

mathanxiety · 27/08/2024 01:08

Shona is gorgeous.

It’s the best option from the ones left. Velma is too Scooby Doo.

BunnyLake · 27/08/2024 09:28

It’s always interesting on name threads to see people’s tastes. One person’s favourite is another person’s hideous.

I’ve never heard the name Twyla (is it pronounced how it looks?). Twighlight, Twix, I’m not keen but that’s not what you’re asking. When people put up threads for name suggestions it’s not unreasonable for people to give their opinion, negative or positive.

loosestrife · 27/08/2024 05:08

Siunds like you're going for a rockabilly feel, American 1950s. You might enjoy this discussion:

Ready for Rockabilly names?

AliceMcK · 27/08/2024 01:14

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:30

Mona is one of my favourites, I think is beautiful! But worried it sounds too much like Moaner!.

O reminds me of Craig McLachlans song. Loved him back in the day x

Thistooshallpass24 · 27/08/2024 01:12

Lina?
Iolen?

SnowFrogJelly · 27/08/2024 01:12

Shona
Rhona
Julie
Sarah
Rachel

mathanxiety · 27/08/2024 01:08

kfellover · 26/08/2024 21:14

I’ve spoke to DH and we’ve narrowed down our girls short list to Velma, Darla, Twyla and Shona.

Shona is gorgeous.

petermaddog · 27/08/2024 01:06

mildred nn>midge

mathanxiety · 27/08/2024 01:02

Audrey
Twyla
Julie
Wendy
Jennifer
Natalie
Helen
Nicola
Claire
Joanna
Alison
Sally
Jacqueline
Rachel
Melanie
Dionne
Barbara
Carolyn
Michelle
Louise
Stephanie
Lindsey
Sonia
Kim
Deborah
Samantha
Melissa
Amy
Lisa
Susan
Tina
Jill

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:35

We’ve decided that the Y sound in Twyla is too similar to the Y sound in Lyle, and as that’s our favourite boys name we are taking Twyla off the list.

Going back through the suggestions our 3 favourites are Darla, Shona and Eula.

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kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:33

whosthefoolnow · 27/08/2024 00:30

Well, I've no name suggestions but wanted to say well done op. You sound very articulate and diplomatic. Hats off to you.

Thank you, that’s really kind of you.

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whosthefoolnow · 27/08/2024 00:30

Well, I've no name suggestions but wanted to say well done op. You sound very articulate and diplomatic. Hats off to you.

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:30

Cecilly · 27/08/2024 00:26

How about Mona?

Mona is one of my favourites, I think is beautiful! But worried it sounds too much like Moaner!.

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Cecilly · 27/08/2024 00:26

How about Mona?

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:14

Rockmehardplace · 27/08/2024 00:12

Delsie

Lovely name but I worry it’s a bit too close to Elsie, and there’s quite a few of them by us.

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