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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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monkeyjamtart · 04/04/2011 12:45

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Ormirian · 04/04/2011 12:52

SOrry I meant Elsie

ShirleyKnot · 04/04/2011 12:54

oh I love Elsie.

Fluter · 04/04/2011 12:56

My mum (a Joan) always felt that it dated her to the 30's. I think Fanny has too many sniggery connotations these days - I think it was a version of Ann. Guinevere / Genevieve is alive and well in the updated / Anglicised Jennifer.

I think I might raise an eyebrow at Clytemenestra or Ophelia, given that one was a murderess and the other a grief-maddened suicide. The perils of choosing names from classical literature, I guess. :) I wouldn't mind seeing some of the names from Greek myths appear - Leda, Artemis, Athena, Iphigenia or Hera.

Names come and go - my holy grail is finding names that don't scream a particular decade, whether unusual or not. Mum managed it with me pretty well, and I quite like the Elfrida type - to me they're pre-Norman old English names rather than Germanic.

marriednotdead · 04/04/2011 12:59

I have encountered a young Jeremy, which suits him and is sweet.

But also a Gertrude-nn Gertie. Why?

I'm old enough to remember relatives/ friends of my grandparents with many of these names.
I just hope that DD doesn't want to use any of the hideous 70's ones when the time comes.

lisianthus · 04/04/2011 12:59

Fanny is a nn for Frances anyway. I can see Frances coming back - lovely name!

GetDownYouWillFall · 04/04/2011 13:20

I know a lady called Gay. She is actually a really lovely person but I always feel a bit sorry for her because of her name.

I don't think anyone would call their baby girl Gay these days.

Megglevache · 04/04/2011 13:21

is it not Gaynor, I love that name.

GetDownYouWillFall · 04/04/2011 13:23

No it's just Gay

Megglevache · 04/04/2011 13:23

All of these will come back....ALLL of them

I actually love Jeanie, Joanie, Lucienne, Viviene etc.

I give it 20 years and we'll all be going Hmm just like my mother did when I mentioned a Ruby, Milly, Lilly, Alfie etc...

lottiejenkins · 04/04/2011 13:25

look whos had a baby Olive!!
Also Sacha Baren Cohen and Isla Fisher have an Olive too!!

freesias · 04/04/2011 13:29

evelyn and leslie for boys

lesley for girls
ermintrude you'd really have to hate your daughter too do that
frederica
gertrude

Megglevache · 04/04/2011 13:31

Olive, Peggy and Maud with be the next biggies and whatever William and Kate have...hopefully they will call their children Garry Trev and Sandra-Lynette and you will all be saying you love it in 5 years time Grin

halfcaffodils · 04/04/2011 13:32

Roger, Colin and Ken/Kenneth...
Virginia, Susan and Ruth

Beasknees · 04/04/2011 13:35

More hear for Doris, Gladys and Hilda, Cyril, Bernard

I do know a Cuthbert !

It will be interesting times when the care homes are filled with Tracey, Sharon Michelle, Warren and wayne and graham

LeonieDeSaintVire · 04/04/2011 13:56

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 14:22

Ermintrude! Yes, I really can't see that making a come-back.
Agree that Olive, Maud and Peggy are very likely due a return.
Leonie (loved those books, btw), will have a think...

OP posts:
NessyBay · 04/04/2011 14:27

Kim, Donna, Lynn

Becaroooo · 04/04/2011 14:29

Brenda
Edna
Glynnis
Glenda
Mildred
Ada

Neville
Roderick
Eustace
Algernon
Wilbur
Russell

campion · 04/04/2011 14:29

David Tennant never watched Popeye, I imagine.

I was at school with a Doris. But her mum was Chinese and her dad was Czech so we never thought any more about it.

My headmistress was called Hilda - unpleasant woman.

See, you can't help personalising these things.

Takver · 04/04/2011 14:29

GetDown - I know a woman called Gay too (also very lovely).

The first time I met her it was only after I walked up to the shop counter where she was serving and said "Ah - you must be Gay - I've got a message from X for you" that I realised that I had better have got the right shop assistant!

Original poster
PrincessFiorimonde · 04/04/2011 14:30

Oops, sorry lottie, I see Olive is already back!

Fluter, yes, interesting that some classical names just don't seem to be used. E.g., think there was a thread recently about a baby Hero. But has anyone come across a Leander?

On a slight tangent - find it very puzzling that Artemis Fowl (in recent series of books) is a boy.

OP posts:
Becaroooo · 04/04/2011 14:31

...I know a 2 year old Stuart!

Also, Roger (bluerggh)

SylvanianFamily · 04/04/2011 14:31

DH threatened me with Roger.... Luckily we had a girl!

notanumber · 04/04/2011 14:33

Bucharest just revealed on another thread that one of her childhood dolls was named Julian.

Julian! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!