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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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Makudonarudo · 04/04/2011 21:52

I'd be surprised to see a Beryl.

But DS2 is in a class with a Julian and a Giles, so!

PurveyorOfBologna · 04/04/2011 21:56

Olifin I know a Paul and Paula sibling combo too. They are more like in their 40s though, so maybe not the same pair (mind boggles that more than one set of parents thought that was a good idea!)

Olifin · 04/04/2011 21:58

I know a baby Margot too!

A1980 · 04/04/2011 21:58

I'm pretty sure Doris has had it.

HackneyCabbage · 04/04/2011 22:05

My DD (age 2) is an Agnes.

emmy12 · 04/04/2011 22:14

Valerie and Phyllis. I used to work in hospitals and half the clientele were called valerie or phyllis. Can't imagine a baby Val now.

Olifin · 04/04/2011 22:18

Ooooh Purveyor! The ones I know...well, I should think Paula is in her 40s, Paul must be almost 40. Could they be the same ones? I just can't accept that more than one set of parents would do such a thing!

Woodlands · 04/04/2011 22:37

Friends of mine who are expecting a baby soon have shortlisted Constance (nn Connie) if they have a girl. I have really had to bite my tongue to avoid saying how hideous I think it is! I hope they have a boy. Hope they don't know my MN nickname...

thinkingkindly · 04/04/2011 22:47

I know an Olive, a Mabel, a Minnie and a Fanny!

Lonnie · 04/04/2011 22:49

Funny some of the names here I have seen in my line of work recently

I love Ingrid and it is fairly common in Denmark (after the late queen mother there

I see no issue w Julie I think its pretty

I know a Gertrude and 2 Bruce
and have recently in work come accross a Doris, Percy (named Percival - family name) Elsie and Paul

i think one I cant imagine myself going back into fashion is Gordon

PurveyorOfBologna · 04/04/2011 22:51

Olifin, they must be different as 'my' Paul is the eldest and his younger sister Paula must be early 40s.

I hope it is a small and exclusive club though Grin

Olifin · 04/04/2011 22:57

Ha ha ha haaaa! Well, fancy that Purveyor.

barbarianoftheuniverse · 04/04/2011 23:16

i know Kevin(15)
Hazel (14)
Sonia (17)

the Kevin in particular is the coolest of the cool1

DancingThroughLife · 04/04/2011 23:16

I know two Elsas, a Connie and a Betty.

I love Peggy, Ada, Olive, Norah (somehow it looks nicer with the h), Nancy, Cora (although it doesn't scream old lady at me) and Freda. DH wouldn't even consider them for DD.

My brain doesn't seem to compute boys names though. I can't imagine a baby Brian though. Both my grandad's name are ver popular at the moment (both top 10).

GwendolineMaryLacey · 05/04/2011 00:00

DD goes to preschool with a Gailord. It's definitey pronounced Gaylord, I've heard his mother calling him.

BibiBelle · 05/04/2011 00:03

can we please leave Barbara in the past where it belongs?? Grin

sleepywombat · 05/04/2011 00:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cowboylover · 05/04/2011 01:29

Apparently names are likely to skip 3 generations so the names of our great grandparents but there are bound to be some that dont come around again!

My Nan was Winifred so dont think I will be seeing one soon

mathanxiety · 05/04/2011 02:41

Norma
Linda
Lorraine
Thelma
Mavis
Gladys
Beverley
Cheryl

Ernest
Walter
Clarence
Raymond
Carl
Kenneth
Chester
Maurice
Hubert
Dennis

exoticfruits · 05/04/2011 08:09

Winifred is very popular on MN!

I am sure that if people are calling their DCs the horrible, early C20th names like Ruby, Pearl, Elsie, Edith, Ronnie, Reggie, Wilf etc then it is quite probable that all the 1940/50s names will be back in 20yrs time.

ValiumSoltera · 05/04/2011 08:36

Barbara is not 'in the past'. I know at least five Barbaras and they would all be older than I am but they are all still walking around unaided, in possession of their own teeth.

I personally hate the name btw! just pointing out that only names that are in the past can 'come back'. I reckon Barbara will come back in about 2035.

ValiumSoltera · 05/04/2011 08:37

Mathanxiety, my son is at school with a dennis!

hsmom · 05/04/2011 10:20

We named our dogs Nellie and Norah a couple of years back..... now regretting that as expecting a girl and would have liked to use one of them.... :-)
Rita is one I havent heard recently, and Edna.

candleshoe · 05/04/2011 10:47

Gertrude and Herbert

HairyWoman · 05/04/2011 10:58

Ouch! Is anyone else's name on this thread (not telling what my name is ;P)