Page 5 | Names so old it’s cute again

Artsybaby · 2026-01-21T13:30:57+00:00

Personally I like elegant names like Genevieve, also Mary, that never stopped being popular. Does anyone know any names that used to be considered “old lady names” but are coming back. my husband is French and he likes Monette after his grandmother

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HarvestMouseandGoldenCups · 21/01/2026 17:05

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/01/2026 16:54

Never heard any Blondie songs? This is Debbie Harry, their lead singer, in her prime. The other famous Deborah I think of is the actress Deborah Kerr, also pictured. It's a good name.

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Probably. But considering she was already 50 when I was born nobody having / naming babies now will be thinking of her when they hear the name Deborah.

ginasevern · 21/01/2026 17:03

Vaguelyclassical · 21/01/2026 16:55

I don't think Margaret has ever been considered an old lady name in some Anglophone countries. Meg, Maggie, or the full name: what is not to like? A world apart from Pearl and Daisy and Edna and Ivy and Cicely and Agatha.

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Agree. Margaret is not remotely in the same category as Edna, Gladys or Elsie. It's always been considered a classy/classic and rather timeless name.

honeylulu · 21/01/2026 16:59

If you are after French retro names I went to school in the 80s with two sisters (mum was French) called Stephanie and Celine. The mum was called Beatrice.

Marie (and Ann-Marie) was also very popular name around that time. My sister was friends with a French girl called Juliette. Actually she also had an English friend called Jeanette and went she went to France people pulled faces at it and eventually someone told her it was the equivalent of being called Beryl or Doris in France.

I'll try and think of some more.

Some of the old lady names suggested on here are awful to my ears but I think it's partly the association and I could "unlearn" that for some of them. My kids have friends called Lillian, Sybil, Arthur and Cyril but I've got used to them after a while.

I really can't bear Maud though, it sounds like a combination of mould and fraud.

Vaguelyclassical · 21/01/2026 16:55

ScaredOfFlying · 21/01/2026 13:32

I think Margaret is due a revival.

A colleague has an Ada, I feel that is pushing it a bit.

I don't think Margaret has ever been considered an old lady name in some Anglophone countries. Meg, Maggie, or the full name: what is not to like? A world apart from Pearl and Daisy and Edna and Ivy and Cicely and Agatha.

MrsMoastyToasty · 21/01/2026 16:55

Lesley
Christine/Christina
Jayne/Janet
Janice
Maria/Marie
Fiona
Jennifer
Pauline/Paulina
Dawn
Rosemary/Roseanna/Rosalind/Rosamund
Sally
Sheila
Sarah
Frances

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 21/01/2026 16:54

HarvestMouseandGoldenCups · 21/01/2026 16:08

I’m sorry to tell you this but I have no idea who any of those Debbie’s are… I don’t think I’ve ever heard their names so I don’t think anyone around my age is picturing them. We think about Aunt Deb or Debbie the neighbour.

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Never heard any Blondie songs? This is Debbie Harry, their lead singer, in her prime. The other famous Deborah I think of is the actress Deborah Kerr, also pictured. It's a good name.

ginasevern · 21/01/2026 16:53

I'd definitely stick with Monette. It's a lovely name and will be extremely unusual (in a good way) in the UK. It also has a personal connection to her great grandmother. There will be thousands of Ediths, Elsies, Mauds, Pearls, Mabels and Olives etc.

deeahgwitch · 21/01/2026 16:50

Elsie is back as is Mabel. Both gorgeous.

starrynight009 · 21/01/2026 16:50

I run baby and toddler groups and "old lady" names are definitely getting popular. Florence, Iris, Ivy, Peggy, Hazel, Agnes...they all seem to be making a comeback.

BernadetteJune · 21/01/2026 16:48

Love the name Marigold after watching Downton.

PutTheScrewInTheTuna · 21/01/2026 16:45

I love:

Maude
Joanie
Barbara
Polly
Jane
Vera
Josephine

watermybegonias · 21/01/2026 16:37

I love the name Edith!

Maryberrysbouffant · 21/01/2026 16:29

Edith
mabel
Joy
elsie
Ivy
Hazel
Iris
Agnes
Pearl
Audrey
Winnie
May

Growlybear83 · 21/01/2026 16:28

I don’t think names like Elsie, Maud, Ethel, Edith, Doris, or Ada can ever be cute!

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:27

Glowingup · 21/01/2026 16:23

She could shorten it to Rose or Rosie.

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She might do. I haven’t seen her for years. I liked the name so was surprised she hated it.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:25

DrEmilyCrabtree · 21/01/2026 16:06

I know of babies and toddlers named Olive, Dolly, Dorothy, Susie, Otto ×2, Walter (a 12 year old one too). All very different to the names I grew up with. I also quite like Deborah and Paula, which i haven't heard yet

Re French names - my DM knew a Lucienne, which i thought was lovely

I really like the French name Colette but apparently that is considered an old frumpy name there. I guess all countries have their ugly, frumpy names.

goudacheese · 21/01/2026 16:24

I like Edith, Mary and Marianne. From the 60s I like Alison and Michelle.

Glowingup · 21/01/2026 16:23

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:21

I knew a Rosalind. She hated her name.

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She could shorten it to Rose or Rosie.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:21

Glowingup · 21/01/2026 15:26

Marianne is lovely too. As is Miriam. And Rosalind.

I knew a Rosalind. She hated her name.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:19

christmassytimeagain · 21/01/2026 16:07

Agatha and Ethel are hideous. As are Edna and Edith.

Agatha is the best of that bunch (not that is saying much). Those names should only be for your cat or dog in an ironic way.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:17

HarvestMouseandGoldenCups · 21/01/2026 16:08

I’m sorry to tell you this but I have no idea who any of those Debbie’s are… I don’t think I’ve ever heard their names so I don’t think anyone around my age is picturing them. We think about Aunt Deb or Debbie the neighbour.

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I didn’t think you would know them because you said you were much younger than me. My point was that Deborah has never been associated with frumpiness. The name is not popular anymore (which is part of what this thread is about) but it is still a nice name.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:14

Glowingup · 21/01/2026 16:12

My DN is at nursery with a Samantha. I also like classics like Victoria and Jennifer, which aren’t too common these days.

All good names. Names can be classic and solid without being ugly or frumpy. I really have never got the love for frumpy names.

Glowingup · 21/01/2026 16:12

My DN is at nursery with a Samantha. I also like classics like Victoria and Jennifer, which aren’t too common these days.

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:12

dailyconniptions · 21/01/2026 14:46

Ada is an awful frumpy name!

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For the Love of Ada, for anyone born pre 70s. 😄

BunnyLake · 21/01/2026 16:10

TheBewleySisters · 21/01/2026 15:52

My new god-daughter is called Samantha Jacqueline. To me it sounds very 'swinging 60s'. Not exactly old lady territory, but certainly vintage.

Yes vintage. Certainly not old lady. A Samantha Jacqueline of the 60s would be wearing a mini skirt, white boots and back combed hair. She’d look like Julie Christie 😁