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'Old-fashioned' names that might NOT make a come-back?

338 replies

PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 07:08

I was thinking about names that might have been popular about 100 years ago or more, and were then considered old-fashioned 30, 40 or even 50 years ago - but are now becoming more popular again. For example, Dorothy and Archie are names that are probably used more now than they were for babies born in the 60s or 70s.

So I wondered if there are names that have not made a come-back, and are not likely to?

For example, does anyone think these names are used much for babies born recently:
Eustace
Eunice
Jean (for a girl; not the French boys' name)
Joan (for a girl; not the Catalan boys' name)

I'm not trying to start a 'these are horrible names' thread. I'm just wondering which 'old-fashioned'-type names haven't really been revived. (Or perhaps I should say: haven't really been revived yet!)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NarcolepsyQueen · 04/04/2011 10:04

Bruce

woopsidaisy · 04/04/2011 10:06

There is a Bertie in DS2s class at school. They are only small. I like it!
Brian is a very popular name in Ireland still.
When I was nursing two names that when you heard you just knew it was an older lady were, Peggy and May. Very,very popular names of ladies in their seventies/eighties now.

MimiSam · 04/04/2011 10:11

I know a 2 year old Agnes, a 3 year old Shirley and a baby Gilbert!!

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:17

there is a myrtle aged about 7 up the road to me. lots of small alberts where i live too.

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:17

i'd be surprised if i saw a baby Gladys

mrsravelstein · 04/04/2011 10:18

or Ethel

FannyPriceless · 04/04/2011 10:20

I am so offended at what everyone is saying about Fanny. What is wrong with it?

GetOrfMoiLand · 04/04/2011 10:20

I think names which are the current names which are popular with people in late middle age.

Nigel, Keith, Mervyn, Malcolm, Harold.

Shelagh, Karen, Rita, Sue, Janice, Mandy

NightLark · 04/04/2011 10:21

Hilda. I really can't imagine a baby Hilda.

hazeyjane · 04/04/2011 10:22

There is a gravestone in the churchyard near our house, for a 'Fanny Fidler', makes me rofl every time I see it.

minipie · 04/04/2011 10:23

I would have said Olive but amazingly quite a lot of people seem to like it.

Minnie was quite popular, can't see that one coming back either Grin

KeepCalmAndCurryOn · 04/04/2011 10:31

Doris

Viagrafalls · 04/04/2011 10:32

deidre

usedtobeahappycamper · 04/04/2011 10:35

In my childhood Ruby had curlers in her hair and a fag in the corner of her mouth. I would never have called my child Ruby. Charlie was a male equivalent. Look how popular they became. No name is immune from a rerun, because people don't remember the old stereotypes.
On the other hand maybe not Fanny.
And perhaps not Percy (thinking of the expression "Point Percy at the porcelain").

Alicious · 04/04/2011 10:35

Bertha

Edmundo · 04/04/2011 10:36

Albert and Bertie are everywhere right now!

I agree with Norman and Fanny

amanda277 · 04/04/2011 10:38

cant see any of the oldies from corrie being that popular Norris, rita or deirdre ect, think the reason tracey and kevin are less popular now is because they are common maybe

missmiss · 04/04/2011 10:42

I heard a woman calling for a small Percy in the library recently.

crapbarry · 04/04/2011 10:44

Eileen, and Agnes.

I like Albert, but DH has vetoed it for any subsequent boys!

notanumber · 04/04/2011 10:45

Pauline cannot possibly be the name of anyone who goes not have a frizzy perm and smokes methol fags. It is no name for a baby.

LaundryFairy · 04/04/2011 10:49

Blanche, Mavis, Enid - not many of those around these days!

Cloudbase · 04/04/2011 10:54

All those old 80's footballer names:-

Gary
Dean
Wayne (although still popular now)
Russell

Deirdre
Doris
Eunice

for the girls

notanumber · 04/04/2011 10:58

Ennis must never be revived.

darleneconnor · 04/04/2011 11:09

Blythe
Myra
Rosemary
Judith
Gaynor
Enid
Ethel
Agnes
Agatha
Maud
Hortence
Bunty
Barbie
Vera
Yvonne/Yvette
Bernadette

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:14

All the fat, obnoxious middle aged blokes I work with born in the 70's:

Kevin
Nigel
Barry
Trev

etc etc

Surely these will never be used again!!! I actually know someone at work called Nigel Barry - imagine doing that to your kid!!

Simon is in the same class/agegroup of names but I somehow don't find it as bad and could see it being used again.

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