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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Most retro/dated name you've heard recently

463 replies

atthewelles · 09/01/2013 11:26

I heard a woman in the park calling her little girl Madge. I haven't heard that name in years and years. I also know of a little toddler called Sheila.

Just wondering if any of you know any children with names that you thought had died out completely.

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MrsMushroom · 10/01/2013 06:26

I like Jeannie....haven't heard that once. 1950s names...love em!

Bertrude · 10/01/2013 06:26

I want Jeff as my son. Not that I'm pregnant or thinking about it, but I want to call my baby Jeff.

Although a toddler called Gordon might be good.

Love the Italian baby called Alan. Just goes to show how the rest of Europe must feel when the Brits use French/Spanish names because they seem cute

Binfullofresolutionsfor10thjan · 10/01/2013 07:23

I know a set of twins Stanley and Dora. We have an Eric and Sid in the family, first one is a teen, second one is 8.

I live overseas and the most popular name for boys in my ds class seems to be Felix. I don't know why, but I always imagine any kid called Felix to wear a bow tie on a daily basis. Max is also popular, short for Maximillian, not Maxwell.

If DS was a girl, I was going to call her Hattie, or Beti.

We didn't choose retro names to be retro in our family, we chose names we thought would work over generations. I just feel a pensioner called Darren is going to feel a bit odd.

Funny thing about hearing Deidre, I don't think "Barlow". I think "Rachid". So there are different generations of Coronation street too.

Retro to me, would be having twins and calling them "Jennifer and Jonathon" after "Heart to Heart".

pettyprudence · 10/01/2013 07:41

I have an Arthur! chose it because i didnt know any others plus its ds ggf and gggf name. i am a bit gutted that its becoming more popular.

i really want a dd just so i can call her betty. is that a good reason to have another dc???? Grin

NorhamGardens · 10/01/2013 08:10

Know toddler and newborn:

Nellie (Eleanor)
Joan
Walter (Walt)
Barnabus (Barney)

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 10/01/2013 08:49

I started the current trend for Alice when I named my kitten Alice in the late 90s. FACT.

RobinSparkles · 10/01/2013 09:13

Not babies but I know children called

Trevor
Martin and
Barry

I had a Trevor in my class at primary school and it was Hmm even then. My DD1 (5) thinks its a hilarious name. She told me off for lying about the name, she said it's not a real name and I'd obviously made it up!

RobinSparkles · 10/01/2013 09:14

I think Eric is a lovely name for a little boy.

Back2Two · 10/01/2013 09:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

DonderandBlitzen · 10/01/2013 09:36

shubiedoo I have a Clare (8) It's a lovely name. How old is your Claire?

FTRsawMammykissingSantaClaus · 10/01/2013 09:41

I know a Walter and an Edwin

Brightonite · 10/01/2013 09:58

My friends little boy is called Kevin....

sheeplikessleep · 10/01/2013 10:08

Looking at this thread for inspiration!

DH wants to call our bump Duncan (I think and hope he is joking!)

SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie · 10/01/2013 10:10

I have a 5 year old cousin called Edward

SunnyL · 10/01/2013 10:13

A friend called their little girl Esther. I think its a lovely name and can't say I know of anyone under 80 years old with that name.

StellaNova · 10/01/2013 10:23

I Know a 2 year old Esther. It is a lovely name. Perhaps is the same one!

SamSmalaidh · 10/01/2013 10:25

I know a baby Esther too Grin

gallifrey · 10/01/2013 10:30

Edith

SeeBoobies · 10/01/2013 10:34

I know a 5 year old Keith. Makes a change from Thomas and Jack I suppose.

HelpOneAnother · 10/01/2013 10:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
atthewelles · 10/01/2013 11:03

Funny, over here in Ireland Alan wouldn't be considered a particulary 'daddish' name and I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid at someone naming their baby Alan.

Nuala, however, which I've seen people rave about on a couple of threads, is a real middle aged Mum kind of name in Ireland and people would definitely be Shock if they were introduced to a baby Nuala and would wonder what on earth the parents were thinking.

I think some of the names being mentioned on here are more 'vintage chic' than 'retro dated'. When I started the thread I had in mind names that are hardly ever used anymore or names from 50s/60s that are too recent to be really old fashioned and cool.

My grandmother was called Maisie and I was really surprised when I first heard of little girls being called this as I really thought of it as a name that would never come back into fashion. Now, it's everywhere.

OP posts:
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 10/01/2013 11:07

Patricia
Barbara
Beverley

I dont' think these are retro or "vintage chic" (love that definition BTW OP), just not in fashion?!

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 10/01/2013 11:09

Also, my grandmother, born in 1898, was Bernice Mabel. I know one baby Mabel but have not heard Bernice in years.

She pronounced it to rhyme with "furnace".

sonnieboo · 10/01/2013 11:18

I think the really retro 'cool' names will be names like

Barbara
Deborah
Patricia
Sandra

Colin
Brian
Stephen
Bruce

They may not be fashionable right now but will be as our kids grow up and see them as 'granny chic' names.

So you get the best of both worlds by being names one of these names: you will be the only Barbara or Brian in the school and you'll be the parent with the coolest name when you're older!

I think it only takes one or two cute, young Barbaras / Deborahs / Brians for our assocations to change.

Clawdy · 10/01/2013 11:18

Christine
Valerie
Mavis
Jacqueline
Can't see them catching on,can you!