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Baby names

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

Original poster

Girls names that won’t come back…..

807 replies

Rincoe · 22/04/2026 20:06

Barbara
Gertrude
Muriel
Mildred
Majorie
Eileen
Geraldine

OP posts:
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dontmalbeconme · 22/04/2026 21:56

I actually love the name Marjorie.

Charmatt · 22/04/2026 21:55

In this year's admissions ranking for us had several of the following:
Dorothy
Agnes
Ophelia
Marjorie
Margot
Jennifer
Cora
Peggy

We also saw a lot of older names are being used as middle names - presumably after the children's grandparents

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 22/04/2026 21:55

I love Doris, Beryl and Sybil!

Doris is just a great name.

I don't think we'll see a return of girls names that are obviously based on boys names. Like Nichola, Danielle, Paula, Philippa, Andrea, Roberta. But maybe tradwives will like them?!

I don't think Tracey, Stacey or Sandra will be making a comeback any time soon either. Nor Karen for obvious reasons but also it's just a horrid name.

From the 70/80s names I think more classic ones like Rebecca, Sarah, Katherine, Francesca, Hannah, Laura, Jennifer are more likely to come back.

I imagine Ghislaine won't be on many people's lists...

Lifeomars · 22/04/2026 21:55

tooloololoo · 22/04/2026 21:46

I know a 3 year old Peggy

I think Peggy is a lovely name.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 22/04/2026 21:54

Who can say. 20 years ago I would have said Arthur will never come back now I'm tripping over them. I know you're asking about girl names but I'm just using it to make my point.

UnlikelyIntimacies · 22/04/2026 21:54

Fgfgfg · 22/04/2026 20:26

GGM sister was called Tryphena

I kind of like Tryphena — because of Tryphena Sparks.

There are definitely young Barbaras, Agneses and Joans around.

They’ll all be back. Most of the ones mentioned just haven’t been gone long enough yet.

(And I wish English people would spell and pronounce Deirdre properly. Clue, it’s not ‘Dee-Dree.’)

ImpressionOf · 22/04/2026 21:54

NotTerfNorCis · 22/04/2026 21:52

Mabel.

A new baby in the family narrowly escaped that name.

My DC’s teenage friend is Mabel. Beautiful girl with long auburn hair.

ParkingNightmares · 22/04/2026 21:54

Diana.... love the name but.... stuff

ACR7 · 22/04/2026 21:53

Eeyorefan · 22/04/2026 20:22

Ethel

I actually like this one! I wouldn’t use it but I really don’t hate it. Maybe I’ll use it on my next cat instead 😂

Original poster
Rincoe · 22/04/2026 21:53

Bernadette
Beverly
Cheryl
Una
Bianca

OP posts:
GregoryFluff · 22/04/2026 21:53

I have a friend called Gertrude. She's 30, Ghanaian
Her nickname is Trudy, it suits her

Tel12 · 22/04/2026 21:53

Give it time, they'll all be back. We just won't be here to see it.

NotTerfNorCis · 22/04/2026 21:52

Mabel.

A new baby in the family narrowly escaped that name.

HectorPlasm · 22/04/2026 21:52

Tryphena sounds like a headache pill

lazymaw · 22/04/2026 21:52

Brenda. I just don’t see it happening

Frillysweetpea · 22/04/2026 21:52

Allseeingallknowing · 22/04/2026 21:48

Eileen - open to teasing, with “come on Eileen!”

Show quote history

You're showing your age - I don't think current new parents, let alone future ones, think of that song particularly often!

ImpressionOf · 22/04/2026 21:51

Trudeknows · 22/04/2026 21:49

Martha
Gladys
Hortense
Doris

Loads of Martha’s around.

And I met a little Audrey ( and Audra) recently, @ParkingNightmares

I would have said Freda…but add a Scandi vibe - Frida - and gorgeous!

hels71 · 22/04/2026 21:50

Eeyorefan · 22/04/2026 20:22

Ethel

We have an Ethel due to start reception in September!

ticketwoes · 22/04/2026 21:50

I think there’s potential for nearly ANY name to come back, all it takes is a famous actress, character in a popular show, or mention in a song for a name to become ‘trendy’

Maude Apatow suits her name.

When naming my daughter 8 years ago I really, really liked Vivienne, which is fairly old fashioned.

i do think harsh sounding names are more of an issue - Kelly, Terry, Sharon, Tracey etc

ParkingNightmares · 22/04/2026 21:49

Gail Wanda Belinda Linda Carol Valerie Audrey Lorraine Norma

Trudeknows · 22/04/2026 21:49

Martha
Gladys
Hortense
Doris

Alittlefrustrated · 22/04/2026 21:49

Agnes has already come back

ImpressionOf · 22/04/2026 21:48

Maybeitllneverhappen · 22/04/2026 21:32

Edna
Marjorie

Love Marjorie.

I would have said Margot a little while ago - and look what happened.

kohlrabislaw · 22/04/2026 21:48

Melanie

Notforthefirstorlasttime · 22/04/2026 21:48

Also Leanne