Dated names

[swanandduck]

DH's cousin has just has a baby girl and called her Pamela. The family are divided between those who think it's very dated, and those who think it's a nice change from all the elaborate and unusual names a lot of new babies are called nowadays. I'm with the former group, by the way.

Just wondering what other people think? I also know a new baby called Belinda which I think of as a very adult name.

Tyson86 - I actually quite like Freya (and that's not a comment I make a lot on this board!!)

A friend had a baby a couple of years ago named Colin.

We know a newborn Eric which is just as bad as Colin to me, but you can get used to anything.

god it's awful

Like Brenda

Its a great deal better than Ethel, Hilda,Elsie, Pearl and Ruby etc!

I think the problem with Pamela is that the child will get called Pam which is a terribly boring nickname.

Pam is no more boring than Sam, Ben, Tom etc.

Pamela is a dated name, but it's still okay to use. Much better than Chantelle and the likes.

Got to laugh that people think that Pam is boring. I think the top 10 ten boys and girls name are by far more borrrring! Emily is so common it can't get any more boring than that. At least Pamela (or Pam) is a bit different.

I agree journey. By the time this new born baby Pamela is in her late teens, the name will have become more fashionable. Perhaps a teenage character on a tv show will have been named Pamela when really it has only just begun to be used for babies!

As an adult she will have an unusual name that sounds pretty to people her own age and to people younger than her. As an adult will she care what people two and 3 decades older than her think of her name.

My ear is still finds Emily more appealing, but logically for a child's entire life I think that Pamela is a better choice right now.

I agree with reikizen - I dislike the regurgitation of really obvious old lady/old gent names.

Looking at my family tree (in the 1800s) there were tons of fabulous old names which are never used now, I don't know why.

I'm not keen on Pamela. I really dislike the nn Pam, although for me its the sound/letters, however I also agree its less boring than hearing the top ten names over and over again.

It's funny that the name Pamela doesn't instantly conjure up Pamela Anderson isn't it?

I actually rather like Belinda.

ggirl lol, was just about to post about a couple who called their baby Brenda, when I saw your post.

Think it's a vile name for an adorable little baby.

I rather like Pamela. Sort of 1950s boarding school name but a nice sound. Not so keen on Clarissa, Cynthia, Priscilla. Or indeed Brenda.

Not so sure that it's not 'old enough yet'. I'm flipping old but even I wasn't around in the 1950s - nor can I remember any Pamelas at school. Okay, it's not as venerable as these 'snug at the Rovers Return' names - Elsie, Martha et al, but so what?

(Still waiting for a baby Ena)

I'm an Angela and I'm not a middle aged barmaid !

I'm 27 but tbh I think even when I was born in '82 it was starting to become a bit dated then (thanks mum!). I dont mind it now but hated it as a teenager.

My eldest brother started listing off names, the other day, of girls that were in his year at secondary school in the 70's (as suggestions!) and I have to say they were all pretty cringey as possible baby names in this day and age. Although fitting for ladies of his age now.

I like Pamela. And my BFFE is called Angela and she is completely beautiful. Although she does get Ange, which is a bit open to whiney drawly pronunciation.

I know a baby Barbara who was born a couple of months ago. And DH suggested Elaine for DD last year- I won and we called her Lydia. My mother was horrified and said she'd have preferred Elaine, or Stephanie, Melanie... and reeled off a handful of 70s names.

I agree with Upgrade in principle as I've come across a Ruby in her 30s and the name seemed very pretty and modern on her. But I couldn't follow my own advice and I'm sure DD will be one of many Lydias as an adult.

I thought I'd found an Ena but it turns out she's French and called e-na, not ee-na.
DH's grandma was a ee-na.

There were two Freya's in my baby massage class and there were only 8 babies there!