Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think its an old fashioned name!

324 replies

Mammyloveswine · 20/05/2022 22:54

Talking with a colleague lately about common names from the 80s and 90s... the usual., Sarah, Laura, Becky, Lydia, Lindsay, Louise, Emma etc..

We then got talking about more unusual names we went to school with "Hester.. Paula..Hermione (way before Harry Potter 😂).."

I just cannot imagine a baby or small child being called Paula! I can't even imagine a person my age (30s) being called Paula!

Any other names you just cannot imagine as a baby/small child?

OP posts:
pepperaunt · 21/11/2022 13:41

How about Ethel (my 80-something aunt)? Bet that one won’t be making a comeback

NosyNeighbour22 · 21/11/2022 13:41

I know a baby Barry!

Hobbesmanc · 21/11/2022 13:42

Young colleague at work has just named her daughter Jennifer. Surprised me as it seems an unfashionable choice.

NosyNeighbour22 · 21/11/2022 13:42

cobblers123 · 21/11/2022 10:32

My grandfather was a Bertram and my uncle is Herbert.

I could never in a million years imagine a baby called either of these or even a young man.

Female names, Marjorie, Thelma or Beryl.

All far too old fashioned.

I can imagine a little baby Bert and Herbie!

Itwasntevenblackpudding · 21/11/2022 13:52

They may well come round again.

What, like this thread? 😅

UsingChangeofName · 21/11/2022 13:54

Ooh. Love that graph maker. Thanks @Schlaar

PauperTeaBiscuit · 21/11/2022 13:57

Herbert
Maureen
Somebody said Cyril
@FirstFallopians Percy - just wow!
Makes me think of Thomas Tank Engine ones like Gordon

Lovely names but just can't quite picture them for babies nowadays

cobblers123 · 21/11/2022 14:07

NosyNeighbour22 · 21/11/2022 13:42

I can imagine a little baby Bert and Herbie!

Show quote history

Yes, grandad was usually Bert uncle is Bert but as a child it was Herbie.

Equally awful names as well to me I'm afraid.

28andworried · 21/11/2022 14:59

Bubbles2022 · 21/05/2022 06:56

I love old fashioned names.
The names I'd picked out for a baby were Rita and Stanley

Rita is beautiful. Rita Hayworth :) absolutely gorgeous. Stanley is also lovely and very cute. A name that can suit all ages.

RedWingBoots · 21/11/2022 18:26

pepperaunt · 21/11/2022 13:41

How about Ethel (my 80-something aunt)? Bet that one won’t be making a comeback

Not yet.

Maybe another 20 years....

Tigerstripe20 · 21/11/2022 18:37

pepperaunt · 21/11/2022 13:41

How about Ethel (my 80-something aunt)? Bet that one won’t be making a comeback

Lily Allen’s daughter is Ethel.

teezletangler · 21/11/2022 18:44

There is a Norman in my 5yo's class and a Warren in my 7yo's class. They also go to wraparound care with a Mavis, which doesn't seem quite ready for revival, but I actually love it.

Hesma · 21/11/2022 20:29

@Poppyseed14 my dad and brother’s names 🤣

Poppyseed14 · 21/11/2022 23:13

@Hesma whoops! 🤭

Redhop · 21/11/2022 23:23

A new girl has started at my work. She has nephews called Dave, Steve, Pete and Ron, all primary age. We thought she was taking the piss. she's not. Poor kids 🤣

HollaHolla · 21/11/2022 23:33

Schlaar · 21/11/2022 10:36

namerology.com/baby-name-grapher/

You can type in a name and see when it was popular. If the chart has a “witch hat” shape it’s a trendy name that was only popular at a certain time.

How interesting. I’m at the peak of that Jennifer graph! (1976)
My brother is Michael, and sister is Alison.
All perfectly ordinary, common names in the 70s…

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 22/11/2022 10:21

I've been having so much fun with that graph ...

Among other things it confirms what I'd long since suspected: since Jennifer fell out of popularity it was immediately superseded by Jessica! Same 'witch hat' trajectory, just a decade or so further along on the axis.

x2boys · 22/11/2022 10:43

HollaHolla · 21/11/2022 23:33

How interesting. I’m at the peak of that Jennifer graph! (1976)
My brother is Michael, and sister is Alison.
All perfectly ordinary, common names in the 70s…

Show quote history

Yep i was born in 1973 i knew loads of Michaels and Alisons .

purplepricklypineapple · 22/11/2022 11:04

Janet, Valerie, Sheila

Maurice, Wilfred, Peter

CallieQ · 22/11/2022 11:33

Kevin
Gary

CallieQ · 22/11/2022 11:34

teezletangler · 21/11/2022 18:44

There is a Norman in my 5yo's class and a Warren in my 7yo's class. They also go to wraparound care with a Mavis, which doesn't seem quite ready for revival, but I actually love it.

My dad was a Norman

ToWhitToWhoo · 22/11/2022 11:43

purplepricklypineapple · 22/11/2022 11:04

Janet, Valerie, Sheila

Maurice, Wilfred, Peter

I have met a few Wilfreds under 10 - and of course it's the name of a certain former Prime Minister's young son.

ToWhitToWhoo · 22/11/2022 11:49

ddl1 · 20/05/2022 23:10

I know someone called Paula in her early 20s. I would find Pauline more old-fashioned. Dorcas is extremely old-fashoned - but I've met a Dorcas who would now be in her early 30s. I would be surprised to meet a baby or toddler called Nigel or Dennis or Ronald or Pamela or Joan or Linda. But you never know- a few years ago, Arthur and Archie and Amelia and Ruby all seemed like the sort of names that your great-aunt or uncle might have, and now are quite common among children.

Actually, I very recently met a 6-year-old Dennis.

RedWingBoots · 22/11/2022 13:34

ToWhitToWhoo · 22/11/2022 11:49

Actually, I very recently met a 6-year-old Dennis.

Show quote history

Over summer my DD played with one who was 3.

Nigel is very rare though apparently.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread