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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?.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:14

RogueFemale · 27/08/2024 00:08

So what's the point in asking for opinions, if you don't want opinions?

I asked for name suggestions, not opinions. I was happy to hear opinions though, until you were rude. There’s no need to continue this conversation, we clearly differ in naming styles and that’s fine. There’s no need to negotiate or find common ground as I already have lots of lovely suggestions, and don’t really need to find our common ground names as you aren’t naming my baby so I don’t need to meet in the middle with you.

OP posts:
Rockmehardplace · 27/08/2024 00:12

Delsie

RogueFemale · 27/08/2024 00:08

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:06

No. I don’t need to negotiate with you. I don’t want to divert the thread anymore, thank you for your contribution and your opinions.

So what's the point in asking for opinions, if you don't want opinions?

kfellover · 27/08/2024 00:06

RogueFemale · 27/08/2024 00:04

Okay, let's negotiate. Let's start with you tell me the names you really dislike.

And find some common ground.

We already agree on Sibyl as a halfway point.

Edited

No. I don’t need to negotiate with you. I don’t want to divert the thread anymore, thank you for your contribution and your opinions.

OP posts:
RogueFemale · 27/08/2024 00:04

kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:59

I like the names, I don’t think they’re bad ideas. There’s lots of names that I dislike that I’m sure you dislike. Even if you wanted to make the point that I shouldn’t go ahead with one of those names, there are nicer ways to go about it and I’d be more inclined to listen.

Okay, let's negotiate. Let's start with you tell me the names you really dislike.

And find some common ground.

We already agree on Sibyl as a halfway point.

kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:59

Firebird83 · 26/08/2024 23:50

Starla
Gloria
Rita
Merla
Bonnie
Loretta
Opal
Eula
Selma
Elva
Leola
Theda
Lula
Goldie
Marla
Delta
Zola
Vada
Selah

I love Starla, Selma and Selah.

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kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:59

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.

I like the names, I don’t think they’re bad ideas. There’s lots of names that I dislike that I’m sure you dislike. Even if you wanted to make the point that I shouldn’t go ahead with one of those names, there are nicer ways to go about it and I’d be more inclined to listen.

OP posts:
Firebird83 · 26/08/2024 23:50

Starla
Gloria
Rita
Merla
Bonnie
Loretta
Opal
Eula
Selma
Elva
Leola
Theda
Lula
Goldie
Marla
Delta
Zola
Vada
Selah

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.

kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:39

AliceMcK · 26/08/2024 23:23

Definitely prefer your boy choices. I’d add names Shane, Sean and Kurt. Only because I knew a lot of people with these names growing up and your list remained me of them.

Darla - reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Patsy - ok but still too soon a link to Joanna Lumley I think
Tansy - Havnt heard of it but I know a 10yo Tanvi
Thelma/Velma - Far too scooby Doo which is still popular

Names of this ere I likes, Betty, Dorothy (Dotty/Dorris) Vera, Una, Cecilia, Josephine (Josie). Betty and Dotty were low on my list of girls names ( I had a lot I liked) but both vetoed instantly by DH.

I really like Shane but I think it’s still a bit too popular for my liking.

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kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:38

RogueFemale · 26/08/2024 23:32

My father had girlfriends in the 1960s called Sibylla and Venetia. In London. Genuine retro names and not in the latest ONS list of girl names.

Velma, Dawn and Twyla are fucking awful.

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 don’t like Venetia, and I like Sybil but not Sibylla.

OP posts:
RogueFemale · 26/08/2024 23:32

My father had girlfriends in the 1960s called Sibylla and Venetia. In London. Genuine retro names and not in the latest ONS list of girl names.

Velma, Dawn and Twyla are fucking awful.

AliceMcK · 26/08/2024 23:26

Perpetuallydaisy · 26/08/2024 23:08

Dulcie

I know a 13yo Dulcie, she has a sister Cecily and Felicity. I’ve always thought 3 very beautiful names.

AliceMcK · 26/08/2024 23:23

Definitely prefer your boy choices. I’d add names Shane, Sean and Kurt. Only because I knew a lot of people with these names growing up and your list remained me of them.

Darla - reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Patsy - ok but still too soon a link to Joanna Lumley I think
Tansy - Havnt heard of it but I know a 10yo Tanvi
Thelma/Velma - Far too scooby Doo which is still popular

Names of this ere I likes, Betty, Dorothy (Dotty/Dorris) Vera, Una, Cecilia, Josephine (Josie). Betty and Dotty were low on my list of girls names ( I had a lot I liked) but both vetoed instantly by DH.

kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:18

RebeccaRedhat · 26/08/2024 23:14

Do not use Thelma! My mam is a Thelma and she absolutely hates it. Apparently her grabby was in her deathbed and asked for her to be called that, only for Grabby to live another 11 yrs and her be stuck with this awful name. My mam is also 70 and hated it as a child.and hates it as an adult!

I’m sure there’s lots of other Thelma’s that like it. I have a really traditional name and absolutely despise it. It’s all personal opinion.

OP posts:
RebeccaRedhat · 26/08/2024 23:14

Do not use Thelma! My mam is a Thelma and she absolutely hates it. Apparently her grabby was in her deathbed and asked for her to be called that, only for Grabby to live another 11 yrs and her be stuck with this awful name. My mam is also 70 and hated it as a child.and hates it as an adult!

Aquamarine1029 · 26/08/2024 23:09

Darly

Perpetuallydaisy · 26/08/2024 23:08

Dulcie

kfellover · 26/08/2024 23:08

RaspberryWhirls · 26/08/2024 23:06

Twyler looks like a spelling mistake and she'll be forever correcting people who'd automatically think it's meant to be Tyler.

I think you could come up with something much better and timeless, a name is meant to carry you from cradle to grave.

Edited

Thank you for your opinion, but it is the name we like.

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RaspberryWhirls · 26/08/2024 23:06

kfellover · 26/08/2024 22:44

I love Dawn, that’s definitely a contender for a middle name.

I think we have decided on Twyla. But we will wait and see what baby looks like before we make any decisions.

Twyler looks like a spelling mistake and she'll be forever correcting people who'd automatically think it's meant to be Tyler.

I think you could come up with something much better and timeless, a name is meant to carry you from cradle to grave.

RaspberryWhirls · 26/08/2024 23:02

Valerie
Audrey
Brianna
Claudine
Francesca
Phillipa
Constance
Louisa/e
Julie/a
Stephanie/a
Carolyn
Patricia
Jacqueline
Christine/a

kfellover · 26/08/2024 22:44

I love Dawn, that’s definitely a contender for a middle name.

I think we have decided on Twyla. But we will wait and see what baby looks like before we make any decisions.

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ChocoChocoLatte · 26/08/2024 22:40

Lorraine
Leah
Amanda
Angela
Susan
Sonya
Teresa
Carol
Deborah
Julie
Dawn

margegunderson · 26/08/2024 22:40

Candy
Cindy
Dawn

HelloVeritas · 26/08/2024 22:20

Beattie