Traditional names that used to be normal but couldn't be used now!

[CoalCraft]

So I was thinking of that old film Meet the Parents and was inspired to look for first names that historically were seen as normal or classic but absolutely could not be used today... At least not without raising many eyebrows!!

Of course the Meet the Parents example is Gaylord... A real name of Norman origin meaning "joyful" (yes I googled it nerd ), but one that wouldn't be top of many parents' shortlists today

Anyone have other examples?

I think most people think Boris Johnson is a dick though.

I've just reported you to the police for that offensive, defamatory assertion. They told me that they're going to come and have 'a word' with you, but you're currently 58,306,486th on their list

I worked with a lady called Randi Barstadt for a while.....

A friend of mine wanted to name her son "Osama", which is a lovely name. Her family kindly reminded her that hummmm maybe not right now

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Are kids still regularly called Fred(erick), though? To me, it's the stereotypical old man name - and one that hasn't really come back in, like Gladys for girls.

I think it's one of those 'everyday' names that people use as an byword for a very common name, without it actually being that common a name any more - like the surname Bloggs: when did you ever actually meet a real person with the genuine surname of Bloggs?!

Seriously @WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll? There are little Freddies and Freds everywhere!

@TatianaBis

I think most people think Boris Johnson is a dick though.

🤣🤣🤣

I've heard of Mary being used for a vulva too.

I know someone named Gaylor. Her last name makes it even worse, wish I could say what it is but she'd be easily Googleable then so I'd best not

Isis is a good one. Such a nice name

We call a gentleman’s front bottom a Hairy Malcolm 🤣

I know an Isis.

Wasn't Isis the dog in Downton Abbey?

Isis

Lettice (traditionally in England it was pronounced like lettuce, but these days people have started to pronounce it like Letitia)

Got through nearly 6 decades and never come across Mary being used like that.

@CaptainCallisto

Lettice (traditionally in England it was pronounced like lettuce, but these days people have started to pronounce it like Letitia)

I always thought it was spelt Lettuce but pronounced Let-ee-ce?

Are kids still regularly called Fred(erick), though? To me, it's the stereotypical old man name - and one that hasn't really come back in, like Gladys for girls.

Totally, cba to look up the stats but I know 3 Fredericks under 8. It would have been DD’s name if she’d been a boy. I think they are all named after their grandads - those old men !

Elona

Distinct lack of younger Margarets in my Forbes-mining-community part of the world.

@PetalIceCreeam

Mary is a beautiful name.

Karen and Becky (Rebecca) are names I wouldn't recommend anyone using atm. Karen = white woman acting unpleasantly. Becky = white woman who sleeps with non white men, or something. I do feel awful for all of the Karens and Beckys out there... :/

Although not English or traditional Chad is another I'd not use

God, Rebecca's on the naughty step as well? Never heard of that one...

@PetalIceCreeam oh dear I'd never heard of a Becky like that. Guess what my name is? 🤣

@ladyvimes

My GM had a friend called Lettice, pronounced Lettuce. She’d be about 100 now.

I was at boarding school in the early 80s with an 11 year old Fanny!!

@CorianderBee

Isis

So nearly DD’s name (she’s nearly 10).

. Fortunately DH is more politically aware than me.

**Are you sure it's a regional thing? confused. Just because she was Liverpudlian doesn't make it a thing in Liverpool.

I’m North East and my Mum always called it a ‘Mary’

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Are kids still regularly called Fred(erick), though? To me, it's the stereotypical old man name - and one that hasn't really come back in, like Gladys for girls.

I think it's one of those 'everyday' names that people use as an byword for a very common name, without it actually being that common a name any more - like the surname Bloggs: when did you ever actually meet a real person with the genuine surname of Bloggs?!

Ironically my grandparents were Fred and Gladys.

My 10 year old has a few Freddies in her school. Sure one of them must be a Fred or Frederick.

No Gladys yet tho!

@Mendingfences

I worked with a lady called Randi Barstadt for a while.....

I worked with a guy called Randy Daley.

I honestly thought he was joking when I first heard his name.
His first name was Randolph - surely he'd have been better of shortening that to Dolph!