Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Retro names that seem to be making a comeback

104 replies

user1485342611 · 14/06/2018 11:46

I know we've had lots of Elsies and Rubys and Lillys in recent years - but I'm wondering if they're going to go out of fashion soon and what will be the next phase of names.

I know a 2 year old called Judy and someone at work with has also just called their little daughter this. I also know of two babies called Marjorie.

What other retro names have you heard of recently?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
daisypond · 14/06/2018 12:05

Names that were around for babies in the 1930s. Hilda, Sheila, Jean, Barbara, Joan, Audrey, Daphne, etc, etc.

gracielacey · 14/06/2018 12:28

Martha, Sylvia, Betsy, Mabel

gracielacey · 14/06/2018 12:29

Also know a 6 year old Cynthia

StripLynchet · 14/06/2018 12:32

On my lists were; Jean, Beryl, Mabel, Ethel. Had many disparaging comments on the baby names board but perhaps I was ahead of the curve!

Flamingosnbears · 14/06/2018 12:48

I came across a 9 year old Patricia recently.

LeeshaPaper · 14/06/2018 12:53

I met a toddler called Ethel the other day

AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 14/06/2018 12:54

Some of these names are already quite hipster - Martha, Sylvia, Betsy, Jean absolutely. Marjorie's a surprise, though.

What about boys? Are we going to see lots of little Brians and Dereks and Alans?

Sophronia · 14/06/2018 12:56

I think the next wave of names will include names like Vera, Irene, Alma, Sylvia, Rita, Hazel, Frida, Norah, and Joy as a middle name instead of May.

daisypond · 14/06/2018 13:01

Martha's been current for nearly 20 years, hasn't it? I know a few all in their late teens. I love Marjorie.

gracielacey · 14/06/2018 13:20

David Mitchell and Victoria Coren's daughter is called Barbara.

SubtitlesOn · 14/06/2018 13:34

I think it is due to naming after Grandparents

So therefore the "old" names get recycled again

SmileSmileSmile

youngestisapsycho · 14/06/2018 13:36

I know a Daphne and a Margo... I like the 'old' names.

LiviaAD · 14/06/2018 13:54

I just met a 6 month old Lorraine, it's an ostensibly beautiful name but still makes my face crumple

MinaPaws · 14/06/2018 14:02

Sylvia is definitely back in fashion. Lovely name. And Jean/Jeannie.

But if people start calling babies Barbara, Deborah, Jacqueline, Wendy, Karen or Sharon, I'll know I'm old.

ErrantBakedBean · 14/06/2018 14:04

Lots of Junes, Jeans, Joans - as middle names if not first. Know a little Rita and Bridget too. I predict Sue as a popular middle name soon!

ErrantBakedBean · 14/06/2018 14:05

Oh and there's baby Reggies and Ronnies and Raymonds all over my Facebook feed!

daisypond · 14/06/2018 14:09

Mina - I think Barbara and Jacqueline are sort of back, but they're not mainstream yet. I know little ones with these names. And I know a young Karen, too. Deborah is a really nice name with a lovely rhythm. I can see that coming back too.

sebanna · 14/06/2018 14:09

Work in a maternity hospital and we have had lots of ivys and Ralph's recently

Elementally · 14/06/2018 14:14

Nora and Margot are both pretty popular where I live. As in I've met more than 2 of them.

People have been predicting a big rise in popularity for Jean on these boards for years but it doesn't seem to have taken off.

BlooperReel · 14/06/2018 14:58

I loved Daphne but DH vetoed.

I think classical names will make a bigger comeback, Elizabeth, Victoria, Laura, Lucy, Sophie etc.

Wellthisunexpected · 14/06/2018 15:06

I think Caroline and Samantha are going to make a come back.

daisypond · 14/06/2018 15:12

Blooper those classical names have been back for a few years now. They get frequent mentions on here.

Well I know a young Caroline. I think it's on the way back. It's loads better than the ubiquitous and rather limp Charlotte, in my opinion. I don't know any Samanthas, though.

BlooperReel · 14/06/2018 15:16

daisy oops I havent been on here in a while...

LeeMiller · 14/06/2018 15:17

I know of a baby June, Joan, Freida, Nora, Ronnie, Betty and Reggie.

I think we'll see 1930s/40s names like Ernest/Ernie, Leonard/Lenny, Clyde, Clarence, Raymond and Shirley, Winifred, Enid, Mavis, Ann, Norma and Rita.

Movablefeast · 14/06/2018 15:28

Silvia/Silvie has been back for a while though, I know a Silvie who is 14. Maybe certain families/areas are ahead of the curve with naming. I know Joan/Joanie, Jean, Nancy and my 15 year old dd loves Patricia! I think to get it sounds fresh to her as she knows absolutely nobody with the name.

Oh another one that is coming back is Angela.

Swipe left for the next trending thread