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Original poster

'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!)

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freesias · 04/04/2011 11:14

bertha
gladys although i love this and it is not a million miles from carys etc
caroline
elaine
linda
sheila
gay quite popular in the 60's 70's but doomed now

ernest
stanley
adolf
humphrey
milton

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:16

Loads of baby Agnes' round here tho! (Aggie)

BikeRunSki · 04/04/2011 11:16

I can neve imagine looking at a new baby in a crib and saying "Aaaah Derek/Geoffrey/Ian/Jeremy".

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:16

And Stanleys! See your point about Adolf tho - that would be a brave parent

befuzzled · 04/04/2011 11:17

Baby Derek!!!! ha ahahahaha This is becasue we associate them with middle aged blokes tho - maybe our parent/grandparents find our names weird in teh same way.

LittleMumSmall · 04/04/2011 11:18

I'd be surprised to see any names from Barbara Pym novels (Winifred, Mildred, Prudence) coming back any time soon. Also the Enid (and there's another one!) Blyton school series - Belinda, Alicia and the rest of the 'gals'. Not sure about equivalents for boys - am expecting DD any time now so have a head full of girls names!

BornAgainDomesticGoddess · 04/04/2011 11:18

The girl who works in our local bottle shop has just called her baby son "Dave". I shit you not.

NessyBay · 04/04/2011 11:22

Most of these are on Guess Who aren't they? Grin

Takver · 04/04/2011 11:25

I know an Albert in his 20s, think its a fab name (but then my Grandad was an Albert :) )

I offer you

Ethelred
Norbert (for English babies - I think still popular elsewhere)
Cuthbert

Have also never understood why Jesus is fine in Spain but just silly here!

Freesias - I knew a baby Ernestine - it was a very sweet story, mum couldn't have kids, grandfathers paid for IVF, she had twins and named them for the two g/fs.

numonemum · 04/04/2011 11:26

I absolutely love the name 'Cora' for a girl. Its an old Irish name that I presume comes from Caroline somewhere down the line.

I think it sounds so pretty.

I tempted to try for another daughter just so I can name her Cora... see what DH thinks hehe

Ariesgirl · 04/04/2011 11:28

WAYNE.

Ariesgirl · 04/04/2011 11:30

I know an 18 month year old called Prudence as well though. It will never go completely away because of the Beatles

startail · 04/04/2011 11:30

Gladys
I had a great aunt who would only sign Auntie G and like wise her nice who uses a swirly G at the centre of her signature, but would never admit what her middle name is.

longislandicetea · 04/04/2011 11:33

Edna. Both my mum and grandma are called Edna. My Mum has always hated it, my Grandma obviously doesn't mind it tho!

strandednomore · 04/04/2011 11:51

I have known a toddler boy called Percy.

I think most names will come back eventually, even the Brians, Sharons, Keith's etc.

The only that probably won't will be like the hurricane names which are retired after it causes a certain number of deaths. So yes we'll probably not see many more Adolph's, Osama's, Saddam's, Idi's etc.

CornishTwinMoominMamma · 04/04/2011 12:02

We seriously considered 'Maud' for our daughter, but whenever we mentioned it to friends and family it was met with stony silence which suggested to me it didn't have 'old lady chic'.

My friend Graeme says that no baby should EVER be named Graeme. Baby Graeme. Just doesn't work.

Valiumsoltera- Guinevere isn't at all common here in Cornwall as far as I'm aware. Plenty of Kerensas, Lowennas, Tressas, Athwennas, Morwennas etc. For boys it tends to be Trevelyan, Perrin, Jago, Jowan... I did once know of an Uther. Cute little boy.

BikeRunSki · 04/04/2011 12:09

I know several baby Stanleys, a Gilbert and a Stephen.

I also know sisters, Elsie, Mable and Maud. They are all under 5!

Original poster
PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 12:18

I quite like some of the names mentioned here! Bit surprised at young Agneses, Elsies and Myrtles though.

Think Valium made a good point about Germanic names such as Ethelred. I once knew someone called Hrothgar, but most people called him John.

Agree about Adolf falling into disuse!

OP posts:
Edmundo · 04/04/2011 12:20

Stanley is mega popular and there are lots of young Agneses too!

bellamysbride · 04/04/2011 12:32

I love Blythe. Seriously considering if this baby is a girl. Mind you, the only people I know with the same name as DS are old men. I must be sooo last century Grin

Flower1000 · 04/04/2011 12:35

Norman
Lesley (male or female)

as others have said, can't imagine looking into a cot and saying 'ahhhh isn't Norman beautiful' :)

ShirleyKnot · 04/04/2011 12:40

Doreen.

LadyWellian · 04/04/2011 12:40

I almost started this thread last week after walking past a colleague called Denise.

Also Patricia. Like Derek, it's just not a name I can imagine on a baby.

ShirleyKnot · 04/04/2011 12:40

oh and Thelma.

Ormirian · 04/04/2011 12:41

Myrtle.
Timothy
Elise
Doris