Most retro/dated name you've heard recently

[atthewelles]

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.

Elsie & Martha which I actually love! If I ever had twin girls in the future I would certainly use these names :) xx

what about John to go with Janet, or Peter and Jane like the books in the 60's

I like Janet

I love Janet, Peter and Jane. I also love Susan. Because I'm Irish those names don't hold any mumsy connotations for me, they just sound vintage, Enid Blytony, tea in the nursery type names.
Mumsy names in Ireland would be Kathleen, Maureen, Eithne, Kay, Sheila, Phyllis and Eileen.

I think it does depend on whether you've known anyone in the generation above with a name whether you think of it as mumsy. I've known Pams, Sheilas, Barbaras, Maureens, Sue's from my parents generation and they aren't my cup of tea. Janet and Susan are fine for me though as i didn't know anyone called that, so i could imagine a child with the name.

Elspeth shortened to Elsie was my number one choice name with dd but dh vetoed it

Boy: Quentin (but pronounced CON-TAN here...whatever, it's still Quentin to
me)
Girl: Fanny

Lots of names on here aren't really 'retro' imo. I know quite a few little Agathas, Quentins, Dorothys and Ernest I think they are so old that they're 'in' again.

Really 'unfashionable' dated names include Brian, Colin, Deborah, Tracy, Sharon and Mike.

Fanny would be very unfortunate. Franglais it sounds like the famous five.

I'm waiting to hear Jeremy and Julian; Denise, Kim or Sandra.

Ooh, I know of a little baby Julian born last year!

there's a marion in my dd 's playgroup. seems a bit too old fashioned to me. lovely girl though.

Theres a John and Gary in ds class.Obviously names like that are making a comeback

I know a baby Jeremy.

1 yo Jeremy at my DCs nursery.

How retro is retro? I came across a couple of Tudor names today - Harbottle and Adolphus. if I'd had a boy, I think I would have been seriously tempted by Harbottle, which I think is rather magnificent! . Once at school though, it would probably have morphed into Harvey. Luckily, I suppose, I had a girl.

Harbottle? Harbottle

I know a 8 month old Melanie, all the others I know are in their 30's.

Harbottle - that is wicked.

quite like Melanie but most of them are the age you described or older.

Am having a good old chuckle at these. Favourites I've read are Brian, Barry and Horace (Hor) Brilliant Loobootins

Oops spelt that wrong Labootin

Am surprised at Robert being classed as a retro name.

DS is a Robert, he is 15. There are a few more Roberts in his school too.

I have a 7 month old called Elsie. We both loved it and didn't think it was popular but reading this thread made me realise its had a comeback

My DB's friends are debating Isambard for their soon to arrive DS!

Harbottle sounds like it'd be a type of insect. Apologies to any parents of Harbottles out there.