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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.

OP posts:
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TheBrideofMucky · 09/01/2013 16:56

My brother is called Richard (early twenties)
My son is George.
My other son's middle name is Alan (it's a family thing I couldn't refuse dp, honest. My other son has a far worse one in there. Safe to say he is rubbish at names.)

Grin

Our nursery is full of girls named Elsie and Lilly and Avas. There is even a Barnaby!

DeGlitterBug · 09/01/2013 16:58

Colin
Aristotle

Maud (age 7)
Eric (age 6)

TheBrideofMucky · 09/01/2013 16:58

I loved Nancy for a girl, too.

higgle · 09/01/2013 17:02

Gloria is a fantastic name, I came across one, aged about 5, a few years back with a very fancy double barrelled surname. I met a baby Hector the other day, the last one I met was about 70.

tethersend · 09/01/2013 17:07

I have an Angie and a Shirley.

Just in case anyone's about to rip the piss Grin

noddyholder · 09/01/2013 17:08

Tether i love those esp shirley Know an angie x

HugoDarling · 09/01/2013 17:10

I met a baby Tony recently, but I think he's Anthony on his BC.

PootlePosyPerkin · 09/01/2013 17:14

At DD's playgroup there's an Ophelia and a Natalie. Both retro in their own ways.

ThedementedPenguin · 09/01/2013 17:14

bearface is he actually Herbert on his bc?

I have a baby Herbie. He's nearly 17 weeks. And just gorgeous.

PootlePosyPerkin · 09/01/2013 17:16

Oh yes, and there's a Barnaby at DS2's primary school & a friend has recently had a baby Maggie (Margaret on the BC I think).

Bearface · 09/01/2013 17:20

Oh yes dementedpenguin - he's a Herbert on his BC. I think he'll end up being a Herbie, but I think both are cute. Some people are horrified, but I can't see why.

NellyBluth · 09/01/2013 17:21

Hilda? Shock

Janet would be an odd one to come back in to fashion. It's my mum's name and we were using DGM's names for DD's middle name, but changed it to Jane. I just can't see Janet as nice! Even my DGM didn't like it, my mum was so poorly when she was born that they didn't think my nan should 'waste' a name she liked (Hmm) so the consultant named my mum after his wife!

carabos · 09/01/2013 17:22

I know two Gordons, a Stanley, a Sidney, a Stuart, and I have a Frederick of my own! Biased about Freds obviously, but there are loads of those about.

My all time most retro names would be Geoff, Malcolm and Roger. can you imagine a baby called Roger?

Lfs2126 · 09/01/2013 17:24

Queenie
Gladys

Alan
terry
leslie

Madcaplady · 09/01/2013 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thegreylady · 09/01/2013 17:36

I also know a gorgeous little Sylvie [not Sylvia]

fussychica · 09/01/2013 17:51

I know a Stan & Arthur in the same family. We laughed and said if she had a girl and called her Olive she'd have a complete set - for those of a certain age who remember On the BusesGrin

VBisme · 09/01/2013 18:06

DD has a little friend called Jason.

determinedma · 09/01/2013 18:12

met a baby Martha the other day, which I rather liked.

Bearface · 09/01/2013 18:15

What about Beryl? I don't know any but just putting it out there. . .

WheresTheHoneyMummy · 09/01/2013 18:27

I know an Arthur, several Alfies, a couple of Stanleys, lots of Tabithas, a few Matildas and a Brian

Kaekae · 09/01/2013 18:32

I know a newborn called Maggie, a two year called Stan and a four year old called Doris!

casma · 09/01/2013 18:35

This trend has been growing a long time! Most of DD's friends have old fashioned names and she's 16. Off the top of my head there's

Nora
Arthur
Albert
Elspeth
Kitty
Flo
Penny

I remember her going to primary school with a Francis, Phil, Paul and Ian as well.

casma · 09/01/2013 18:35

On the other hand it does seem that everyone else is called Sophie and Jack!

maniacbug · 09/01/2013 18:54

noddyholder DS2 (3) is Reg(inald) but during a discussion the other day, when he decided he wanted to defect from the boys' team to the girls' team (captained by DS1 and DD), I asked him what name he'd like if he were a girl, and he replied without a moment's hesitation: Barbara. (As far as I know he has never met one.)
Kaekae ohhh, Doris - I always wanted a Doris! Also a Gertie (who would obviously have turned out to be as cute as Drew Barrymore in ET...)

Both my name and best friend's names on here - not sure whether to be proud or alarmed at the fact that we are old enough to have had 'retro' names the first time round!