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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?
SerafinasGoose · 26/08/2024 20:29

Verity
Felicity
Daphne
Anna
Louise
Josephine
Madeleine

kfellover · 26/08/2024 20:27

ClaraBean · 26/08/2024 20:19

My dd is Shirley, which I think fits.
Other names we liked for her were
Barbara
Susan
Maureen
Patricia (love Patsy)
Frances
Ruth
Angela

I got absolutely crucified on here when I was pregnant with Shirley and asked for opinions on my names list 🤣

I think it’s such a gorgeous name! I was a bit worried about people’s opinions on our names but it’s been surprisingly positive!

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kfellover · 26/08/2024 20:26

Love sylvie/Sylvia but it’s becoming quite popular.
Also like Vita, Carmel, Norma, and Frances.
Will run them by DH and see what he thinks.

OP posts:
MagnoliatheMagnificent · 26/08/2024 20:22

Josephine
Delilah
Verity
Valentina
Evangeline

ClaraBean · 26/08/2024 20:19

My dd is Shirley, which I think fits.
Other names we liked for her were
Barbara
Susan
Maureen
Patricia (love Patsy)
Frances
Ruth
Angela

I got absolutely crucified on here when I was pregnant with Shirley and asked for opinions on my names list 🤣

Saisong · 26/08/2024 20:18

Ramona
Susan
Valerie
Carole

EducatingArti · 26/08/2024 20:16

Barbara
Norma
Maureen
Eileen
Christine
Susan
Monica
Geraldine
Sally
Karen
Clarissa
Margaret
Trudy ( Gertrude)
Shelley
Tracey
Linda

OldTinHat · 26/08/2024 20:15

Hazel, Joanne, Stephanie, Helen, Wendy.

Illpickthatup · 26/08/2024 20:14

I know someone who recently called their baby Sylvie.

crystalize · 26/08/2024 20:11

Polly?

reesewithoutaspoon · 26/08/2024 20:10

So I went to school in the sixties/seventies. Names within my age range included
Julie
Susan
Tracy
Adele
Carmel
Hazel
Christine
Caroline
Gillian
Leslie
Penelope
Maxine
Sharon
Karen

PerkyMintDeer · 26/08/2024 20:10

If you like Vida, you might also like Vita.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 26/08/2024 20:08

Dean is nice, I’m always surprised it isn’t more popular as it gives me cool James Dean vibes and surnames as given names are in fashion for boys.

Of your girl names, I do think Darla has a lovely Southern US style charm but for some reason I struggle to imagine it a bit on a British girl.

Mid- century pretty? Maybe Belinda, Valerie, Sandra or Angela? But some of those might be too popular for you.

kfellover · 26/08/2024 20:07

Love Shona, Delma and Vida!.

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PerkyMintDeer · 26/08/2024 20:05

Belinda
Vera
Daphne
Gloria (LOVE THIS NAME)
Vida
Simone
Delma
Alma
June
Hazel
Lynne
Joy
Frida
Agnes
Agatha
Regina
Irene
Sonia
Martha
Lois
Judy
Leonora
Nora
Bette
Avril
Honor
Peggy
Bridie
Bridget
Beulah

wakeboarder · 26/08/2024 20:04

Mabel?

BigTwat · 26/08/2024 20:02

Wanda

ChocoChocoLatte · 26/08/2024 19:59

Am trying to think of names from school

Alison
Caroline
Tina
Rosalyn
Kirsty
Diane
Mhairi
Louise
Barbara
Karen
Tracy
Claire
Penny
Georgina
Shona
Nicola

kfellover · 26/08/2024 19:58

Ooh I also love Della.

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kfellover · 26/08/2024 19:58

Wow I didn’t expect so many replies. I like Penny, Shirley, Judy, Twyla, Sally, Betsy, Nancy, and Julie.

I’m also glad someone likes Velma, I think it’s brilliant and can imagine a really cool girl called Velma but not sure if I’m brave enough!.

OP posts:
Backhometothenorth · 26/08/2024 19:57

Della
Esther

PurpleCheese · 26/08/2024 19:55

Betty

ShutTheFuckUpCakes · 26/08/2024 19:54

Julie 😍
Althea
Sylvia
Sonya
Kelly
Celia

Nicebloomers · 26/08/2024 19:51

Love Velma!

Gloria
Joyce
Nancy
Linda
Diana
Elaine
Sylvia

BigAnne · 26/08/2024 19:51

Nancy, Anna,Betsy, Rosa,Celine,Sadie