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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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Original poster
Rincoe · 24/04/2026 23:18

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:13

I really like Bridie, but was taken to task by another poster who said it was most dated Irish name she could think of.

I still like it though.

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How about Breda !

OP posts:
ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:15

BigCheekz · 24/04/2026 03:26

I met a Peggy the other day, she was six!!

I know a 10 year old Maggie, which I quite like.

I don’t know if she’s officially a Margaret.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:13

Rincoe · 24/04/2026 11:27

‘Ugly chic’ what a great description and always a good strategy to have an uncommon name which is often the motivation. I agree about Maeve….interesting to see lots older Irish names on the list - Maureen, Kathleen, Geraldine, Philomena, Nora etc - no ones mentioned the Bridie, Breege, Bridgie nicknames for Bridget yet - but maybe they are niche or considered sweet.

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I really like Bridie, but was taken to task by another poster who said it was most dated Irish name she could think of.

I still like it though.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:11

Brenda.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:10

Lalgarh · 24/04/2026 11:59

There was 1 baby Nigel, iirc a few years ago as they interviewed Nigel Havers on the naffness of Nigel now, not least BC of ... You know

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/21/nigel-baby-names-farage

Rigel, you could probably see as it's the name of a star ⭐

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Whenever i see Nigel Planer (which is often, cos my son loves The Young Ones), i think of the occasion when someone Tweeted Ade Edmonson and said he should play Prince Harry (in some fictional comedy).
Nigel chimed in, and said ‘Ok, fine. I’ll play Meghan. Why do i always have to play the pretty one?’.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:06

Carla786 · 22/04/2026 21:32

My great-great-aunt was that! My grandmother was fond of her so it's always had nice associations for me.

But I agree Euphemia itself is a different matter.

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I had a great Aunt Atlanta (born in 1887), who went by Ettie, or Et.

AInightingale · 24/04/2026 23:03

Don't hear Pamela or Fiona much nowadays amongst children. Nice names too.

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/04/2026 23:02

Heyhelga · 22/04/2026 20:18

Peggy

I can see Barbara making a comeback though.

I actually like Barbara.

TheBirdintheCave · 24/04/2026 21:43

Not a girls name but my five year old was playing with a pre-school aged Kenneth at the park today!

Carpaccia · 24/04/2026 21:42

LOCOJDS · 24/04/2026 21:06

I know a Zillah, she's 62 she's the only one I've ever heard of.

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I know a Zillah too, she's mid-50's, I think. Lovely name.

LOCOJDS · 24/04/2026 21:06

cobrakaieaglefang · 22/04/2026 22:38

Oh and Zillah, I've not known one since an elderly lady who passed away in her 80s in 1970.

I know a Zillah, she's 62 she's the only one I've ever heard of.

Vivisays · 24/04/2026 20:38

Ethel

Reportingfromwherever · 24/04/2026 20:22

Rincoe · 24/04/2026 19:11

Roberta

I love that. Strong and elegant.

Firebird83 · 24/04/2026 20:17

At a toddler group I take my DD to, there are two year olds called Carol and Bridget. I also met a toddler Helen at the library the other day.

Original poster
Rincoe · 24/04/2026 19:11

Roberta

OP posts:
Carpaccia · 24/04/2026 18:33

BeZippyZebra · 24/04/2026 08:09

Edith
Margaret

Both enjoying a bit of a resurgence, I think, particularly Edith.

I absolutely love the name Maude, mentioned above. It was on one of my name lists a few years ago.

Tryagain26 · 24/04/2026 14:42

Hmm1234 · 24/04/2026 14:03

Magdalene Alberta Constance

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Connie/Constance is quite popular now

Hmm1234 · 24/04/2026 14:03

Rincoe · 22/04/2026 20:06

Barbara
Gertrude
Muriel
Mildred
Majorie
Eileen
Geraldine

Magdalene Alberta Constance

Mangelwurzelfortea · 24/04/2026 13:03

StrongandNorthern · 22/04/2026 20:23

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

Lily Allen's daughter is Ethel.

Lalgarh · 24/04/2026 12:16

I like Joan, and Barbara and Evelyn. They have a certain toughness to them that names like Jade or Angel absolutely dont

Spidey66 · 24/04/2026 12:10

Eeyorefan · 22/04/2026 20:22

Ethel

One of Lily Allen's kids is called Ethel.

NavyTurtle · 24/04/2026 12:04

letmebetheone · 22/04/2026 20:17

Doris
Joan
Sheila
Agnes
Bernice

Agnes is considered a rare or "vintage revival" name, but gaining traction as a stylish, classic choice.

Lalgarh · 24/04/2026 11:59

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 24/04/2026 11:31

No baby girls registered as Carol, no baby boys registered as Nigel.

There was 1 baby Nigel, iirc a few years ago as they interviewed Nigel Havers on the naffness of Nigel now, not least BC of ... You know

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/21/nigel-baby-names-farage

Rigel, you could probably see as it's the name of a star ⭐

Why I’m glad no one wants to call their baby Nigel any more | Nigel Planer

It was never a cool name, even before Farage helped consign it to the dustbin of history. It deserves to be no-platformed, says actor and comedian Nigel Planer

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/21/nigel-baby-names-farage

UnctuousUnicorns · 24/04/2026 11:35

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 24/04/2026 11:31

No baby girls registered as Carol, no baby boys registered as Nigel.

Since when, though? Obviously not since records began? In the past two or three years ? Earlier than that? If so, there must be any other number of names that applies to? Someone please enlighten me cause I'm still confused!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 24/04/2026 11:32

AgentPidge · 24/04/2026 11:03

I love Maud! I also like Mabel. They have a 1920s flapper vibe to me. I also like Mavis because I had a beloved Auntie Mavis (born in the 1920s). I think association with people can influence taste in names, for good and bad.

I hate Nancy but it seems popular. It reminds me of wincyette nighties.

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Nancy and Peggy are the Amazon pirates for me.