Names not of their era

[pitterypattery00]

Do you have a name that is unusual for its era (in that it's usually associated with people born at a different time)? Did you like having a 'different' name. If it subsequently became more popular, was that a positive thing?

My own name firmly dates me to my era (late 70s/early 80s) so I don't have personal experience. But as a child I knew children my age called Dorothy, Edith, Frances, Roy, Ronald, and Norma. They generally disliked their names and other kids viewed them as very uncool names. There was also an Olivia - her name was seen as unusual and very posh!

I ask because on baby name threads it's often seen as a negative if names are very popular/trendy/rising up the charts, and one of the reasons given is that it will become dated. But maybe children are happy having a name that is similar in style to their peers?

I grew up in the 70s/80s with a very old-fashioned name and I hated it. Practically everyone else my age who asked my name would immediately respond 'That's my mum's middle name' or 'That's my gran's name'. I was the only person in my school with that name and it's dull enough that it hasn't come back into fashion with all the other granny-chic names. I was teased for it (amongst other things) and longed to share a name with someone else in my class like all the other Sarahs and Lisas.

Sarah or Rach(a)el is my guess!

I know a Joan in her late 30s, her sister also has a bit of a dated name but not in the same datedness league as Joan! No idea if she likes her name but she gave her own child a much more modern one.

My dd says if ever she has a girl, she'll call her Joan.

There must be a huge come back vibe for: Joan, Jean, Mary, Patricia, Joyce, Shirley, Silvia, Barbara, Marion, etc.

My DD (11) loves the name June, which I think is hilarious. She loves it because June is the interesting/strong character from Mallory Towers.

All those names are completely unheard of and fresh to Generation Z ears.

Lots of thenmums in the 70s seemed to have the name June, would be in their 80s now

I went to university with a very cool Jean.

I had two dolls that I named Carol and Susan, I thought those were the nicest names aged 5!

Good point @SomersetONeil , I guess each generation likes to find names fresh to them.

I was born in the early 1980s and my first name was most popular in the 1940s. I absolutely hated it (and still do) I'm afraid. People's mums were called my name but nobody of my generation. It's a really harsh sounding name as well and it definitely has not come back into fashion. I've gone by my middle name for the past 20 years!

I hate my name which has been mentioned on here and have mostly been known by a shortened version since I was 16 which my parents hate. I also hate the shortened version and intend to change my name to my chosen name which close friends call me by once there is nobody to be offended by the change and will also change my surname to neither my maiden or married name.

My grandma and one of her brothers were named after cities in Italy and Spain. Really random and unusual for 1920s baby's. Their other brother and sister had very normal names.

I love my grandma's name and will use it if I ever have a daughter

I was born in 1985 and always found it funny when people my age were called things like Jackie, Lynda or Carol. It was as thought their parents chose a name from their own generation rather than a current sounding name.

My name is not that common amongst women my age (I'm 60), especially after we left Scotland and moved to England. Then a certain political leadership change happened and dealt the kiss of death to my name. I'd be surprised if it becomes widely popular in the UK for at least one more generation, if ever, which is sad after hundreds of years when it was one of the most used names. I expect some of its many shorter versions are doing better. It's more popular in other English-speaking countries.

My exBIL is called Reginald. He’s 60 now but was a 1970’s punk and he absolutely hated his name. My cousin was called Margaret, so grew up just around the Maggie Thatcher era. That’s the trouble with names just out of fashion, they might become cool again, like Marnie or Fred, or they might not, like Mavis and Barry.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g like my cousin, maybe?

You might think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

My great uncle, who was born at the turn of last century (and who died well before I was born), was called Reginald.

But even then, he was known by everyone as Rex!

You must be my mum!

I grew up in the 70s/80s but my name was more popular in the 50s/60s. I didn't meet anyone else with my name growing up and have always gone by a "baby" version which is also a name in its own right (eg Rosie instead of Rosemary). Not many people know that my day to day name is not my actual name. I use it for everything, including work, and my family have never called me by my birth certificate name.

My mum suggested once (when I was in my late teens/twenties) that I should start using my "grown up" name rather than the baby name, but I was having none of it!

I actually don't mind my real name now - as I get older I think my day to day name is a bit young/frivolous. I still can't quite bring myself to switch to my grown up name, though. Sorry Mum!

My mum says my name was rare when she gave me it but by the time I went to primary it was top 10 and has been ever since 😂 Never bothered me as it's a beautiful name and it suits me.

I’ll share mine.
I'm Alison, born in the 80s. I think it was more common in the 60/70s. I’ve never liked it much but maybe it is due for a revival

I was born in the early 70s when lots people g girls were Joanna/Nicola/Claire/Sarah

My name is unusual (similar to Lucinda) and I've always been happy with it, never ever missed being known as Joanna A or B etc

My middlename is very old-fashioned and out of favour. I got teased I don't recall minding a great deal as I was named after an aunt who died .. also my first name is very unusual and I can remember responding to the teasing. At least I'm not yet another Helen/Claire/Kathryn