When will these names start to come back?

[AutumnAlmanack]

Was thinking yesterday that all babies seem to have somewhat 'exotic' and 'out there' names these days. When do you think classic names such as Michael, Steven, Nicholas, Christopher, David, Peter, Philip and Paul (for boys) and Susan, Jane, Penelope, Jackie, Rosemary, Ruth, Jennifer and Sally (for girls) might start to make a comeback?

Nicholas has been popular for the last 25 years - maybe not so much now, as I don't know many babies, but my sons who are now early 20s have loads of Nicks and Nicos as friends, and several of our friends and neighbours have sons called Nicholas. We know Christophers, Stephens, Michaels, Davids and Pauls. I don't know as many girls with the names here.

I'm not expecting to see the return of Brenda, Audrey, Doris, Doreen, Keith, Derek, .Norman, Terry. Agnes, Shirley, Norma, Cynthia, Mildred.

I don't see Geoff, Derek or Barry making a comeback though!

As a child of the 60s/70s I would never have expected Arthur, Archie, Ted, Emily, Ava, Lily Beatrice, Evelyn etc to ever be popular - they were grandad and granny names.

I predict in less than 10 years time this board will be filled with "we're thinking about Dawn for Gary's sister" and "can't decide between Elaine or Deborah" posts.

OK maybe 15 years

@2bazookas I know 3 Audreys and 2 Agnes. All primary aged.

Nicholas, Penelope and Rosemary are on my list, as is Philippa. Christopher, Mary, Margaret and Jane are on my list for middle names.

I had a Jane back in June, and my daughter has a friend called David, and we know a few Nicholas’s. They’re still out there!

@2bazookas

I'm not expecting to see the return of Brenda, Audrey, Doris, Doreen, Keith, Derek, .Norman, Terry. Agnes, Shirley, Norma, Cynthia, Mildred.

Audrey and Agnes have been back for years.

Nearly all the names comes back. Derek and Barry were wildly popular so I'd be most surprised if they didn't have a resurgence in a few decades' time. 20 years ago people would have been at a baby being called Arthur.

Recently I've heard Caroline, Jennifer, Jane, Amanda, Helen and Claire being used again.
I think this era of names is slowly coming back.

When I was little all the ladies of my Gran's generation were called Daisy, Lily, Ruby, Elsie, Florence etc which are all popular now.

I don't know about the Janet, Valerie, Jean, Maureen era though.
I've not heard any of these used for little ones yet.

Due in 6 weeks, not sure if Boy or Girl yet but Jennifer is on our shortlist. We already have A nephew under 7 called Christopher. We're not going for John or David as that's my dads name and we don't get on.

Where’s ‘here’ ?

midlands

I know quite a few little Penelope's, so I would say that's already back. I also know of a 6 year old Michael. Names are always coming in and out of fashion.

One of my sons has one of those as his middle names and one of my daughters has one as a first name! I do like plain/boring type names though, not a fan of the fancy or OTT.

I think Penelope has been back for a while too, I know of a few through dds school friends/clubs.

@2bazookas

I'm not expecting to see the return of Brenda, Audrey, Doris, Doreen, Keith, Derek, .Norman, Terry. Agnes, Shirley, Norma, Cynthia, Mildred.

Funny you should say that - I teach 2x Audrey and a Mildred in my secondary school classes . That suit their names .

My two year old is a Nicholas. Almost always called Nick. Calls himself Nicky.

Names come back into fashion when those are the names of grandparents or great-grandparents. I know a baby Ray, would never have expected that to come back!

So for the names you mentioned, probably fairly soon as they're starting to have grandchildren now, but definitely in 10-20 years.

I work in schools and the classic names have never gone away. I met a Jane the other day, and I’ve met a few Jennifer’s.

I'm going to be interested to see the ons for names in 2021. I think Penelope could be the highest riser - I'm seeing lots and lots of those around.
There's always been a trickle of the others. I know an 18 year old Nicholas for example and a 10 year old Christopher. I'm not sure they will rebound in popularity in the same way Arthur or Edith has but there'll always be a few.

@whatswithtodaytoday

Names come back into fashion when those are the names of grandparents or great-grandparents. I know a baby Ray, would never have expected that to come back!

So for the names you mentioned, probably fairly soon as they're starting to have grandchildren now, but definitely in 10-20 years.

^^ this.

Although David and Penelope were both top 100 names in England and Wales in 2019.

The bajillions of UK Pauls are now dads of kids/teens themselves or just becoming dads, so their particular name won't be trendy again until the bajillion Pauls are in their 80s.

Exactly. Same with Steve and Mike!

These names were overused in the 70s so therefore sound dated now.

I look after a Nicholas and I would 💯 used Christopher for a boys name if I hadn’t looked after one of those too as I adore the name but don’t want a name of anyone I know.

I think the posters saying their children/children's friends/pupils are called Jane, David etc are missing the point somewhat.
They are called classic names for a reason ie they never disappear entirely.
I think what the OP was meaning is when will they be ubiquitous like Alfie, Violet ec are today?
The will always be a handful of David's and Jennifer's - but not the seven David's in my class in the early 1980s.
I agree with PPs - once the generation of Donnas, Sharons and Michaels start to die out, they will become edgy again.

Damn autocorrect! Putting apostrophes in plural names when I wasn't looking!

Penelope doesn’t belong on that list - it’s very trendy now.

I know a Norma who is in her thirties. Its a lovely name, yes you don't hear it a lot and people consider may consider it old.