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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names so old it’s cute again

195 replies

Artsybaby · 21/01/2026 13:30

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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CleanSkin · 21/01/2026 14:22

I know a couple of Audreys; it’s pretty normal in the US & they both have American heritage. (Still surprised me when I heard it the first time!)

LambriniBobInIsleworthISeesYa · 21/01/2026 14:20

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.

We considered Margaret with the nickname Peggy or Maggie for our second daughter, but couldn’t get away from the worry that people would think we were rabid Maggie Thatcher fans, so went in a different direction. In theory I like it though.

HundredsandHundreds · 21/01/2026 14:19

GreenSedan · 21/01/2026 13:33

Im waiting for the 70s names to come back. Looking forward to all the Rachels, Rebeccas, and Deborahs.

First we’ll have to have the Bernards, Barbaras, Richards and Marjories, though.

Original poster
Artsybaby · 21/01/2026 14:18

i like Edith too

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ShowmetheMapletree · 21/01/2026 14:13

I love Olive, Lillian, Heather etc. Traditional names are rare now, and refreshing from all of the modern ones where there's a million in the school.

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Artsybaby · 21/01/2026 14:12

ForPearlViper · 21/01/2026 14:08

I called our GP to make an appointment for my 90+ Mum and the new young receptionist said 'oh what a beautiful name'. Mum's called Vera.

OMG!!! Vera is a beautiful name

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ForPearlViper · 21/01/2026 14:08

I called our GP to make an appointment for my 90+ Mum and the new young receptionist said 'oh what a beautiful name'. Mum's called Vera.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 21/01/2026 14:02

Around me all the girls seemed to be Nellie, Ada, Ava, Maude, Pearl - not really to my taste but I expect I will grow to like them.

Some names still sound nice but others seem to sound ugly. I wonder if that's just my perception - for example Dorothy is nice, Brenda sounds ugly. Enid sounds nice, Doris is ugly.

Ladybugheart · 21/01/2026 13:59

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.

Ada is a lovely name!

VeryQuaintIrene · 21/01/2026 13:42

Mildred.

FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed · 21/01/2026 13:41

Went for dinner with friends recently. Our collective children are Mary, Margaret and Edith.

Egglio · 21/01/2026 13:40

All of them! Monette is very cute.

smallsilvercloud · 21/01/2026 13:39

Annette?
Marie

holdtheline11 · 21/01/2026 13:39

Olive, Frances, Jane

ItalianChineseIndianMexican · 21/01/2026 13:38

I think a lot of 'old lady names' are back- and have been for a while. I know 7-10 year olds called Elsie, Ivy, Ada, Lillian, Penny, Edith, Mabel, Rita, Dorothy, Mary, Ingrid, Connie...

I haven't heard Edna, Hilda, Audrey, Margaret, Christine, Kathleen, Maureen, Enid Glynis, Beverley, Maud, Ethel, Bertha - maybe they're due a comeback!

bells456 · 21/01/2026 13:37

I like Marion/Marianne and Maude for old fashioned French-style names.

Also Louise, Jeanne/Joan, Sylvie, Ida, Nell, Cora, Betty, Valerie, Thelma, Iris, Frida, Della, Pearl, Daphne - all very sweet for a little one and some already fashionable in UK or France.

GreenSedan · 21/01/2026 13:33

Im waiting for the 70s names to come back. Looking forward to all the Rachels, Rebeccas, and Deborahs.

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.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 21/01/2026 13:32

I think Edna and Mavis should come back

netflixfan · 21/01/2026 13:32

Monette!! Adorable.