What an interesting thread. I was born in 1944 and hate my name but luckily it can be shortened into quite a nice name. I remember the kid's names at school in the 50s. as already listed by another poster. I think whoever said that it is the grandparent's names that are back in fashion is right, and not the Maureens, Eileens, Cynthias and John Derek and Victor of the 50s. YUK horrible names. The Florences, Amies, Lilys are back. I hate the new trend for American names, Maddison, Harrison etc.
No can't be doing with Jean - she definitely works in a chip shop! Hairdressers used to have their names as the shop name - I recall Phyllis and Barbara - written in curly writing.
Can't believe the poster who likes Sylvia, Gloria (yuk) and Maggie. I have a friend called Gloria and she hates it and goes by Glo. She said at school she was often called "in exelcis deo!"
I know some triplets called Alice, Mabel and Phoebe. Like Alice but not the others. There are 2 Arthurs in our road (both under 2) and a Henry, but think it would be unusual to call a child Colin or Janet now.
The prettiest girls names I think are some of the Irish names (my dil is Irish) and there are Roseannas, Roisins, Catrins, Catrionas, Aseling, Orla and many more I can't recall.