Are these names back in fashion?

[diddlediddle]

Just wondering if we think these names are usable again. Eric already seems to be back in. I don't think any of these are inherently horrible words (except maybe Derek!)? What do we think - are any ok?

Neil
Alan
Keith
Ian
Martin
Malcolm
Trevor
Clive
Derek
Paul
Brian
Graham
Barry
Kenneth
Glen
Philip
Nigel
Colin
Terence
Kevin

I remember Ian from The Baby Club. He stood out, thanks to his name. I’ve never met a baby with any of these names, though, and I’ve been to a lot of baby groups in the past year.

I really like Alan, but I wonder if it’s slightly too soon for it to come round again. I can’t see myself using any of the others. But Paul seems fairly classic to me.

I think some of the names from the 30s/40s will have to come back first, like...

Frank
Leonard
Sidney
Ivan
Ernest
Ralph
Morris
Hugh
Gilbert
Robin
Dennis
Arnold
Percy
Walter
Ivor
Raymond
Alec
Lawrence
Edwin
Edgar

I think these are very usable and, in some cases, know some young ones:

Martin
Malcom
Clive
Paul
Philip

I look at US naming forums too and note that the Americans are loving Graham and Colin like they've just discovered these wonderful new names! Perhaps they weren't used commonly there as they were in other English speaking countries in past generations.

DS1 and DIL are expecting in December, and I’ve been kinda keeping an eye on trends with regards to old man names, tbh I’d have said all of these are ‘too soon’ given they are only a few years before my time and I know lots of them not much older than me.

I’ll be watching closely to see if any of these will be on the list for my prospective grandchild should it be a boy. I wouldn’t pick any of them myself (with the possible exceptions of Graham and Philip) in order to be prepared with my ‘that’s lovely, dears’ face. I know I will adore my grandchild’s name, even if it’s Derek, Keith or Brian, because if it’s his name it’ll be a brilliant name and the height of cool.

That's so interesting so many of you know babies called these names, I genuinely didn't expect that.

@Sophronia I think those 30/40s names are already firmly back - I do know lots of babies with those names and they don't feel very radical, that's why I was thinking about the next stage!

@Astronica interesting about the Americans. They have a weird mix of names over there!

Phillip 100% has been popping up much more. I can see Martyn coming back too, and Ian. Not on your list, but like a pp said - I can also see Mark making a come back.

Graham is still seen as a useable name in the US. Semi similar with Colin I believe.

Keith for babies in Australia (2 of the 4 boys under 3 I know in oz are called Keith). I told someone this recently and they thought I was joking as it's seen as the name that 'goes' with put the shrimp on the Barbie mate but it's true.

Haha omg no. They might be in use but they're definitely not in fashion!

I think the 1930s names a pp listed will be back in fashion first! Maybe they already are? I've seen lots of them in use on nameboards. Some are already back:

Frank definitely is. Leonard and Sidney I think have already joined the 'cool vintage names' category . Hugh is definitely back.
Ivan and Ivor too. Ralph, Robin and Edwin both seen very usable to me - were they ever totally out?

I don’t think any of them are due a comeback. Eric is the best.

I love the idea of naming a child Kenneth, purely so I could say "It's beyond our ken" on a regular basis. Which would probably psychologically damage them over time, so it's a good job I'm way past having babies...

I like some of them but Martin isn't great, Philip is nice though.

I know a Leonard/Lenny who is 5

Isn't the rule of thumb that they come back when they are grandparent names ? I think these are still too young- they really are mid sixties- Early 70s names (tend to be parent's of teenagers I think/)
I don't like them as names but that's because I'm from the end of that generation - other names from that era which are a bit more acceptable include Nicholas, David, Christopher, Michael, Simon and Matthew which I prefer

Primary age Keith known here (not mine).. Actually works really well in a hippy vibe .. Think Heath type name and it starts to work..

Actually some of them do sound refreshing after all the cutesy Alfie, Archie, Olly names recently. I like Philip, Paul and Ian in particular.

I know several pets with names mentioned here, which I think is a sign they'll come back - today's ironic pet name is 2030's cool baby name.

I know one toddler Ian - but his parents aren’t British, and it’s becoming quite a “trendy” name in their home country.

I actually don’t mind Terrence

I think more 'solid' names will gain popularity
Mark
Philip
Frank
Colin

What's wrong with those names though. Yes they may not suit a baby but you're an adult for longer and they're pretty normal adult names

I think some are still in use and the rest will probably come around again.

Definitely no worse than the millions of "old" names we have now, Archie/Alfie/Charlie/Bertie etc etc.

*goldensugar2

Actually some of them do sound refreshing after all the cutesy Alfie, Archie, Olly names recently. *

That's it, you're an adult longer than a child. People should really think of what suits an adult not a toddler.

I like malcolm, kind of so square that it comes all the way back around to cool . Reminds me of a Howard I knew at uni, very cool name in a see of Toms and Chrises.

*sea 🌊

I have a DS age 11 who has one of these names. We chose it as it’s has family links, and you can’t guess from his name whether he’s a child or adult. Don’t care it’s not fashionable.