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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

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ImFineItsAllFine · 22/04/2026 20:30

Gladys

Statsinyoureyes · 22/04/2026 20:29

I met a child called Gladys the other day at a holiday club thingy! She was about 6.

NoisyMonster678 · 22/04/2026 20:28

Maud

GardenCovent · 22/04/2026 20:28

I know one baby Agnes and a few Peggy’s

Abracadabra12 · 22/04/2026 20:27

Cosleepingadvice · 22/04/2026 20:20

I know a baby Joan and a baby Agnes! 😅

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There’s a toddler Agnes at my daughter’s nursery

Fgfgfg · 22/04/2026 20:26

GGM sister was called Tryphena

Pasta4Dinner · 22/04/2026 20:26

I would have loved to call DD Gertrude (Gertie), she is very glad I didn’t.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 22/04/2026 20:25

Gemma

StrawberryWasp · 22/04/2026 20:24

I think Joan and Agnes will be making a comeback soon.
A return to spare simplicity feels chic after all the frilliness we've had.

I think Hilda will also come back.

Muriel and Deirdre will take longer to ever make a comeback. They have a lot of baggage to lose. They feel depressing rather than chic.

Thehorticulturalhussie · 22/04/2026 20:24

I know a 3 yo Agnes (it really suits her) and a 2 yo Julie May.

Dalmationday · 22/04/2026 20:24

I know a baby Agnes

Unnecessaryletter · 22/04/2026 20:23

letmebetheone · 22/04/2026 20:17

Doris
Joan
Sheila
Agnes
Bernice

I love most of these names! When you distance yourself from the connotations and baggage, most of them are objectively really nice.

StrongandNorthern · 22/04/2026 20:23

David Mitchell and Victoria Coren have a Barbara.
Can't see Ethel coming back.

TeflonMom · 22/04/2026 20:22

Gayle
Dawn
Pauline
Maureen
Doreen
Shiela
Sharon

Eeyorefan · 22/04/2026 20:22

Ethel

YouCanDanceSaidVodka · 22/04/2026 20:21

Dorcas

luckylavender · 22/04/2026 20:21

Heyhelga · 22/04/2026 20:18

Peggy

I can see Barbara making a comeback though.

Plenty of young Barbaras about

Cosleepingadvice · 22/04/2026 20:20

letmebetheone · 22/04/2026 20:17

Doris
Joan
Sheila
Agnes
Bernice

I know a baby Joan and a baby Agnes! 😅

DrUptonsGardenGnome · 22/04/2026 20:20

Hortense and Phyllis are two I can’t imagine having a resurgence.

Threesmycrowd · 22/04/2026 20:20

Norma

Moll2020 · 22/04/2026 20:20

pushontheswings · 22/04/2026 20:16

Karen

It’s a huge shame that the name Karen has been used for the ridiculous American slang term.

Fridgedooropen · 22/04/2026 20:20

Myra

AgentPidge · 22/04/2026 20:19

Ermintrude

17caterpillars1mouse · 22/04/2026 20:19

I think Peggy will cone back in

Maybe Beryl or Cilla

CeciliaMars · 22/04/2026 20:18

Doreen