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?

My (English) cousin has an Israeli wife named Avishag. Its a really common name there. He just teases her that they're just "'avin' a shag"

I used to know a boy called bumkin.... I doubt that's used must anymore

Agree with "Ants marching* wrt Kermit.

Another name that has died a death is Grover. I only met one under age 99.

A friend wanted to call his son Baldrick as that is a family name. His wife said absolutely not, but it ended up as one of his middle names

There's something to be said for jurisdictions that only permit parents to choose a name for their child from approved lists.

Eileen, Mabel, Gertrude.

Wasn’t the fine spoonerism ‘Mary Hinge’ the name of a horse?

I didn’t even realise Kermit could be a non frog name.

@TheQueef

You don't seem to hear as many Bottom names, Ramsbottom or Winterbottom I.E. Are they dropping off too?

My mums maiden name was Bottom! Its a pain having to give it for security reasons and I always hear sniggering.

My DD dated someone with the surname Hunt once and the fathers name was Mike, Why would his parents do that to him, different generation maybe and didnt see what it sounded like.

It reminds me of the simpsons where Bart would call the bartender and get him to do a call out for someone rude. Something like Hugh Jaynus

incidentally my middle name is mary and I hadnt realised my parents had named me after a vagina! :(

I was going to say Isis, but it's been mentioned.

Another one is Delta.

@PrincessMyshkin

Isis was popular for a while, can't see that working these days.

I doubt Myra will come back in the UK, not for years. It's too distinctive.

DDs estate agent is called Isis, she’s in her 20s, it’s a lovely name, meaning woman of the throne, but sadly a no go now isn’t it? Shame.

@EssentialHummus

Afaik Mary is a term for vagina/vulva in parts of the UK - my daughter had a Scouse key worker at nursery one year and came home talking about her mary . I’m not sure that would stop me using the name if I liked it.

Yes, Mary was used in our house when I was a child

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

What's wrong with Kermit? It's one of my absolute favourite names. I know you'd get intensely irritated by everybody thinking they're quite the first to think of calling you Kermit the Frog (although much better that than alluding to a serial killer).

It's a popular name in the USA, though In the UK, we only think of the famous frog, but to Americans, it's just a normal name - the equivalent of calling the character James or Daniel the Frog, just because he needed a name.

This is NOT true. Kermit is not a popular name here in the USA and if anyone here used that name everyone would think of the Frog.

@TotorosCatBus

The American name Chuck wouldn't take off in the UK

But isn't it the familiar rendering of the formal name Charles?

Not in the UK. Charlie/Charley/Chaz here.

Fanny - Frances

Fanny is a pretty common ‘English name’ for Hong Kongers to adopt. Doesn’t have the same connotations. Even in the U.K. I do know a Fanny (Annabel) in her 50’s. She kind of owns it though. I also know a guy in his 40’s who is known as Dick. When the names are attached to people you don’t really think about it.

I know ( an an american ) Randy - if I am honest I would not choose it but once the initial giggling is over - it is just his name

Mary - would never associate it with various things - I think a lovely name

Chuck, Mandy, Margaret, Doris, Betty, Agnes

Boris is an unusual enough name that he’s probably ruined it for a while (sorry if this has been mentioned).

I went to school with some Longbottoms.
I believe they changed their name later on.

@SarahBellam

Wasn’t the fine spoonerism ‘Mary Hinge’ the name of a horse?

It’s what Kenny Everett wanted to call his blonde film star character but was told it was too smutty. He called her Cupid Stunt instead………

@GreyhoundG1rl

From experience, both twins get called at Twinnie. How does that even work, when your name is literally what indentifies you? When you even look the same as the person also being called Twinnie you must wonder if you actually exist as a separate entity at all.

When you’re an identical twin, people actually don’t know if they are talking to you or you sister.

George - popular today but not in the past due to the ‘Georgie Porgie’ rhyme association.

Madeleine - not used for a long time due to Madeleine Mcann, although I believe it’s creeping in again

Rodney - Only Fools and Horses influence

Damian - horror film influence

But names do go in cycles. Elsa was always associated with The Lioncub growing up, Jemima Puddleduck, Isla - Isla st Clair - all names commonly avoided in the past but now being used. Humphrey - Death in Paradise brought this to the forefront also.

Elvis, Bertha, Donald

I've always thought that the American singer Lou Rawls has a name that doesn't really work in UK.

Wow. It takes some front to call yourself Fanny these days. I wonder why she does it? She must spend her life watching people do double takes

I'm no tennis expert, but I think that's a double fault