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Baby names

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

Old lady names that haven't had a comeback

232 replies

GirlcalledJames · 12/05/2017 11:15

Wondering if any of these will trend:

Eileen, Doreen, Noreen, Maureen
Margery
Dorothy
Doris
Vera
Rita
Norah
Winifred
Mary
Joan
Margaret
Patricia
Ethel
Gladys, Dilys
Edith

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 12/05/2017 11:21

I know a little Vera (though pronounced V-air-a as mum is Brazilian). I think it's lovely.

I can't see a lot of those making a comeback. I do know someone with 3 girls all with 'old lady' names -Edith, Winifred and Agatha Confused I really don't see the appeal, particularly with the latter! Grin

SuperBeagle · 12/05/2017 11:24

Delores
Edna
Gertrude
Phyllis
Mavis
Agnes
Marjory

I would say Nora is reasonably popular still. To me, it doesn't fit with your list. Edith is also definitely coming back.

ClaudiaWankleman · 12/05/2017 11:27

Lettice. Can't see it coming back for a while. In the same vein, Blanche.

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 12/05/2017 11:28

There's actually a 2 yr old local to me called Edith! (Though she's mostly known as Edie).

To add to your list, I can't quite imagine Dorcas, Blanche or Beryl on a young girl!

Dare say they'll be considered incredibly hip at some stage, though... crikey

SoftSheen · 12/05/2017 11:28

Dorothy, Norah, Margaret and Edith are all still around- I know two little Margarets and one of each of the others!

WizardOfToss · 12/05/2017 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 12/05/2017 11:29

Claudia,

X-post! We must be telepathic...

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 12/05/2017 11:31

Ooh, yes, Hilda on a toddler would be unusual!

AmazingBouncingFerret · 12/05/2017 11:31

I actually really like some of those names!

Itsmekathy · 12/05/2017 11:34

They are all really bad but I have heard some of them discussed on here so might be making a comeback.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 12/05/2017 11:34

Bertha
Ida
Joyce
Irene
Sheila

RumbleRoar · 12/05/2017 11:36

I know a Rita at DS school

gillybeanz · 12/05/2017 11:36

Maude
Ethel
Hilda
Doris
Mary

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 12/05/2017 11:37

To me, Delores is nice...it makes me think of a flamboyant, confident, Spanish kid (or Irish lead singer of The Cranberries).

Ginger782 · 12/05/2017 11:37

I know newborns called:
Edith
Margaret
Wilhelmina
Ruth
Matilda

I quite like Ruth, Edith, Margot and Mary!

WankersHacksandThieves · 12/05/2017 11:37

Agnes
Gaynor
Beryl

NoMoreBones · 12/05/2017 11:38

I know a Margaret nn Maggie and a Dorothy NN Dolly both primary school age.

Derekmorganwasinmybed · 12/05/2017 11:38

I know a 1 year old Marion

Deathraystare · 12/05/2017 11:41

Ahem Rita Ora and her mum Vera!

bonbonours · 12/05/2017 11:43

Edith is popular round here, I know 2 six year old Ediths in the same class. Phyllis was my gm's name, I quite like it.

I'm waiting for all the 70s/80s names to come back eg Karen, Sarah, Gary, Alan etc.

ButterflyFree · 12/05/2017 11:44

I know a young Prudence, nicknamed Pru.

Thinking of my grandmother's generation (born in the 30s), there are heaps of Janet's, Jean's and Mildred's among her social circle but I don't think I've ever known a child being given any of those names since I was born in the 90s...

Ladycocobrazil · 12/05/2017 11:45

I LOVE the name Agnes.

PenelopeFlintstone · 12/05/2017 11:48

Audrey has come back.

MumBod · 12/05/2017 11:48

I know of a little Dorothy and a little Agnes. I like the former, not so keen on the latter.

KarlosKKrinkelbeim · 12/05/2017 11:48

My dd is called prudence! Old fashioned it may be but I love it.
My second choice for her was Mabel so you can see I am committed to the old lady name revival cause