Guest Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 You know, I read variations on this all the time - don't name your kid Alf, the kids will tease him. Don't name him Milo, or Noah. Don't name your girl Myrtle or Gertrude or any other name you like. But don't give those same kids popular names either!  It's all silliness. Unless you name your child something really, really outre, like Hitler or Moon Unit, their peers won't think it's anything strange. Adults listen to these names and think "That's an old lady name" or "That name belongs to a stripper" or "That's a weird name!" or "That's the name of a dumb character from that dumb TV show when I was a kid*", but kids just hear "That's my friend" or maybe "That's that kid I don't like". They don't know which names are "old lady names" (and when they're grown, it is YOUR name that will be an "old lady name") or "stripper names" (another thing which varies from one generation to the next) or "weird names" (ditto), and as for old TV shows - well, have they ever seen those shows? Why would they?  * Can't avoid this. You might give your kid a perfectly normal name and then a TV show or movie airs when they're six or seven and forever more people call them a mermaid or ask where their twin is. Yeah, itĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s true. And naming culture changes extremely quickly now compared to when I was born when it took ten years for names to rise and fall in public awarenesss. When we first told people we were considering the name Mason, it was still in the realm of the unusual; one relative got a smells-bad look on her face and said, Ă¢â‚¬Å“Kids will call him a Mason jar!Ă¢â‚¬ But within six years of naming our kid Mason, it moved to the #2 most-popular boy name in my state. So apparently the name sounds good to a lot of people and I donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t think anyone has serious used Ă¢â‚¬Å“Mason jarĂ¢â‚¬ to try and insult him.  And when kids want to insult you, it doesnĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t matter how beautiful or weird your name is. I was called Ă¢â‚¬Å“Dan-smell!Ă¢â‚¬ at times. But I doubt many people think Ă¢â‚¬Å“DanielleĂ¢â‚¬ is an ugly name. Kids bent on teasing me also make a rhyme from my last name that ended in Ă¢â‚¬Å“flat-as-a-bench.Ă¢â‚¬ So, yeah -not much you can do about your last name.  Having said all that, though, IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢m not really a super-big fan of Ă¢â‚¬Å“grossĂ¢â‚¬ as the adjective the OP used, but meh - itĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s her post.  P.S. also, when I wanted to use the name Lydia for my baby, I was nervous about it because that is a very old name (Biblical) and I expected some people would think it was terrible. My other two kids had Ă¢â‚¬Å“modernĂ¢â‚¬ names. But I loved it and DH loved it and a dear friend of mine said she had thought it was beautiful through her pregnancies, but only had boys. I am so glad we chose that name. Although that baby did not survive, I still cherish that name and think it is truly the name that was meant for her. So I think in some ways, the child becomes the name. You can ask God (or the Universe) what the name should be and in the woo-woo corners of my mind, I believe you will just Ă¢â‚¬Å“knowĂ¢â‚¬ the correct name. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I think kid names all sound lovely after a while of knowing a kid.  But I do have a story -  My husband advised his colleague to not tell anyone his child's name before it was born so they wouldn't criticize it. His colleague was Dutch and named his kid (not kidding) "Rover", which we found pretty bad since it is a stereotypical dog name. What's worse, we learned later, is that in Dutch, "Rover" means "robber".  What was he thinking???  ETA: I know an Agnes, Willa, etc and they all are as sweet as the kids after a while. I do think it is better to ask around about potential names, rather than saying nothing to avoid criticism. People could alert you to an actual drawback you were unaware of and then, at least at that point, you can decide if it matters to you. So, for example, I knew someone who was considering Ă¢â‚¬Å“Steven Tyler.Ă¢â‚¬ People pointed out the Aerosmith (band) connection; she had not known about that. She changed the middle name. But another family might decide, Ă¢â‚¬Å“well - I donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t care.Ă¢â‚¬ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Esther, Naomi, Ruth, and Miriam are all popular. Also Eleanor, Lydia, and Evelyn. Oh, and Lyla.Yes, I know more than one of all of these except Miriam (which is my favorite). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 You know, I read variations on this all the time - don't name your kid Alf, the kids will tease him. Don't name him Milo, or Noah. Don't name your girl Myrtle or Gertrude or any other name you like. But don't give those same kids popular names either! Â It's all silliness. Unless you name your child something really, really outre, like Hitler or Moon Unit, their peers won't think it's anything strange. Adults listen to these names and think "That's an old lady name" or "That name belongs to a stripper" or "That's a weird name!" or "That's the name of a dumb character from that dumb TV show when I was a kid*", but kids just hear "That's my friend" or maybe "That's that kid I don't like". They don't know which names are "old lady names" (and when they're grown, it is YOUR name that will be an "old lady name") or "stripper names" (another thing which varies from one generation to the next) or "weird names" (ditto), and as for old TV shows - well, have they ever seen those shows? Why would they? Â * Can't avoid this. You might give your kid a perfectly normal name and then a TV show or movie airs when they're six or seven and forever more people call them a mermaid or ask where their twin is. I agree. I have friends who recently named their daughter a name that we would consider an old lady name. The older generation cringes. My kids reaction? Oh that is a beautiful name, I love it. Â I don't understand why Mildred was so popular (other than the cute nickname Millie-and my grandma used Mid instead). However, it must have sounded great to the late 1800 crowd. Â Phyllis is another old but popular choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 (edited) I donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t think any of these names are gross. Edited November 11, 2017 by Word Nerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Virginia Erma Isabelle Alberta (Bertie) Linda Patricia Florence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I really think Dorcas cannot be revived. It just has too strong of an affiliation wih Ă¢â‚¬Å“Dork.Ă¢â‚¬ Mildred might be the same because of Ă¢â‚¬Å“-dredĂ¢â‚¬ sounding like dread.  I do see potential in Norma and Alma and maybe Eunice. I think those names have a good potential to sound fresh within the next five - ten years. Perhaps not even that long.  Other Ă¢â‚¬Å“oldĂ¢â‚¬ names (I canĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t really call a name that someone, somewhere thinks is pretty Ă¢â‚¬Å“grossĂ¢â‚¬) that do seem to have come-back potential:  Maude Mavis Florence Nellie Ruth Eileen    Isn't Nellie short for Eleanor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Isn't Nellie short for Eleanor?Or Ellen in my family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andromeda Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 A couple of years ago I taught a class with a Champaigne and a Tequila. Seriously. Those were the legal first names. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I was named after both of my grandmothers who were born between 1910 and 1920 so I guess I can't deny they're "old lady" names.  Dorothy Anna  In my family, we also have:  Kathleen (goes by Kaye) Frances Lillian Ellen Connie  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 (edited) Connie has been mentioned more than once...I love the nickname. Â I've known 2 Connies: Â One was a Concetta and one was a Constance. Â The funny thing is Constance married someone whose surname had the same first 6 letters as Constance! :lol: Edited November 11, 2017 by unsinkable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Eugenia (Genie) Euphemia (Effie) Talulah  One of my great grandmothers was named Hattie (no, not short for Henrietta, just Hattie). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvbug in Ohio Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I always loved my great-grandmother's names, one was Alice and the other was Bonnie. If I'd ever been blessed with a daughter, she would have had one of those names. I also like Virginia, Ruby, Clair, Ellen, and Violet. My middle name is Lorraine, I always liked that too. My grandma's name is Mildred, but she's always gone by Millie and since she's the sweetest grandma in the world, of course I love that too.  Funny memory. With my last pregnancy we were tossing around names. I was considering Adrienne, because I remember a sweet older lady by that name from church, and plus I just love it. But my dh was like no way, people will go around saying "Yo Adrienne!" like the movie Rocky. Turns out he was a boy anyway, so no Rocky impersonations here lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Isn't Nellie short for Eleanor? I think, and maybe for Elizabeth, too, but of course, a lot of names that began as nicknames morphed into names in their own right. Like Molly. Or Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Verna Zelma Irma Nancy Henrietta Francy Pearl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knoxinsox Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I pulled hard for a Frances or Mildred or a Liza. We ended up naming my daughter Leila Grace. I would have loved a little Millie Grace or a Liza Grace a Liza Frances. (Double names are popular here in the south.) Husband didn't like the name Liza, Elizabeth might have been ok, but her initials would have been EGG and then I didn't like it. We were arguing over names til my water broke.   Mildred was my grandma's name and Leila was my husbands grandmother's name--actually spelled Lela. The other great grandmother's names were Susan and Alvira.   Also, I must have gone to church with a lot of hipsters, but there are all sorts of old names used....Ruby, Nora, Oliver, Addy, Miriam...I even know a little Goldie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I think all this older siblings naming babies is funny. When I was a teenager, my mom was having my youngest sister, which was horrifying enough when youĂ¢â‚¬â„¢re 16. Then she was insistent on naming the baby Olivia. I thought Olivia was a terrible, ugly, horribly old fashioned name, and eventually I prevailed and the baby was named something else(a truly lovely name, too). The argument went on for months before my sisterĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s birth though. My poor mom had her heart set on Olivia and I thought it was just an absolutely awful name for a baby.  Fast forward about sixteen years, when I gave birth to my own daughter. You should have seen the look on my motherĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s face when I handed her my Olivia. I did the same thing!  When my mom was pregnant with my sister, she had names picked out.  I was insistent (in the days before ultrasounds and knowing baby's gender ahead of time) that it WAS going to be a sister and her name would NOT be Laura (my mom's choice) but instead would be Cindy.  When my sister was born, my mom took one look at her and said, "She doesn't look like a Laura - she looks like a Cindy."  So at 5 years old, I was responsible for naming my sister.  What name did DH & I keep coming back to when I was then pregnant with my own DD?  Of course - my DD's name is Laura. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Pulled from our family tree (hopefully no duplicates from above): Adaline, Agrippa, Albertine, Althea, Amarinta, Appollonia, Arbesean, Artemesia/Arthemise, Arthesha Barvais, Bersela, Bessie, Bibianne, Blanche Cecilia, Clementine, Clorina Dentina, Dinah, Dionicia, Dolsa Easter, Elefare, Eliesheba, Elmina, Elodie, Elvira, Eula/Eulalie, Euphorsine, Evadean, Ezell Fancy, Fanny, Flovilla Glendora Hepzibah, Hilda, Honorah, Huguette, Hulda, Hypatia Iola Jacoby, Jennet, Judah Kissiah Louvinda, Lucretia, Luelsey, Lurina, Lutetia, Luzella Magnolia, Mahala/Mahalia/Mahaley, Malvena, Marcella, Matholine, Melvina, Minna, Mittie, Morena, Mourning, Myra Narcissa, Neomia, Nettie Odell, Olive, Ora, Osithe, Ottillia Perrine, Pharebe, Phillippa Rhoda, Romie, Rozilla Sabina, Sabra, Salida, Samala, Seba, Seluda, Semilla, Senoth, Serepta, Suda, Sukey, Sybele/Sybilla Tabitha, Tamar, Tappahanas, Temperence, Theo, Tirzah Ulsey, Unity Vada, Veola, Vergie Walpurga Zada  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Ida, Irene, Pearl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zejh Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Agnes was a name I was going to consider for our baby, except our older daughter made it very clear early on what she wanted to name her (her choice was less "old-fashioned" than Agnes, but actually a name you don't hear of for anyone under 30 or 40... We liked her choice.) Â Beatrice/Beatrix is something I wish I could have used, but our last name starts with S... Initials get in the way sometimes. Â I think there's a lot on whether names are "nice" or "icky" that depends on context. My grandfather changed his name (which had been the same as his father's) as an adult because he didn't like his old-fashioned name. We gave the older name to my son, and it's trendy enough now that we run into other boys with the same name at least monthly. Another bit of individual context: I recall reading another conversation about "old-fashioned" names, and the names Ruth and Mabel came up. I've done a fair bit if Gilbert and Sullivan, and if you know anything about Pirates of Penzance, you probably know that Mabel is the beautiful young soprano, and Ruth is the 47-year-old overbearing nursemaid... Anyhow, on the message board, the names were just together randomly, and someone said that Ruth was a cute, young sounding name, but Mabel sounded like an old lady's name... I guess the moral of the story is you can't always predict what people will think. (I've met someone under age 40 from the US who wasn't familiar with my name... Emily.) Â I'm still really undecided about baby names. Awhile back I ran a thread about virtue names but I still don't know about the ones that I have left. I've only got a month left so I need to get cracking! Anyway, I've got a fond affection for really old school names that everyone thinks are gross. Ultrasound says that we're having a girl. So give me your "gross" girl names that badly need revival. Here's a few to get you started: Â Gertrude Dorcas Mildred Eunice Enid Beulah Beryl Agnes Alma Norma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 It's so funny, I love a lot of these names. Â Even Dorcas. Â Anyway, my thoughts were Petra, which someone mentioned, and Ursula, and Morag. Â I've got one of those myself, and considered both of the others for my girl babies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 If I think about the older generations of my family the names are Dorothy, Eva, Evelyn, Augusta, Grace, Alfreda, Janette. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I don't think all of these are gross, but I went through my family tree and here are the names that are uncommon, at least in my neck of the woods. Â Lucretia Velma Georgella Eugenia Williampe Letitia Hazel Beola Viola Euphamy Mildred Cordelia Frances Madge Florence Evelyn Lourana Augusta Leora Emmaline Opal Ida Bernice Myrtle Zella Blanche Olive Isobelle Alta Louella LaVon Lelah Verda Thyra Mae Eudora Talitha Nora Hattie Pearl Fern Thalia Rhoda Alva Gladys Eunice Elba Verna Nadine Iva Sophronia Ethel Junia Lena Mabel Lovenia Melba Beatrice Alvessa Elmina Alverda Vivian Celestia Leta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicianmom Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Vivian (or Vivienne) is getting trendy again. Margo, Edith, and Agnes are the 3 little girls from the Despicable Me movies, so look for those names to make a comeback. I know a 10yo Mabel, a 9yo Olive, a 7yo Nancy, a 2yo Evelyn. One of my FB friends has a Petra.  I say go ahead with any Ă¢â‚¬Å“old-fashionedĂ¢â‚¬ name you want. To me the gross names are the trendeigh ones (spelling for snark). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosika Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I don't if it's just that my extended family has a handful of babies each year, or what, but a lot of these names ring familiar to me :) I'm related to, or know kids through my relation to, most of these names - except for Dorcas. I'm also Catholic, so it's not unusual to hear those that are also saint names (e.g., Agnes, Ursula, Bernadette, Dolores.)  My only daughter's name was mentioned in several posts. She's 12. At the time we got a lot of push back about her name, but it's been steadily climbing the charts ever since. I often see it mentioned in name polls (though it's less frequently chosen, this tells me that it's becoming more of a socially legit option.) I just looked it up and it was in the #1700s the year she was born but is in the #300s today.  OP, I don't think any of the names below are "gross" but I get your sentiment. I think the following names would get a lot of push back by Joe & Jane Citizen because they're too far left of the old-fashioned name trend. These names feel more appropriate for those trailblazers in the baby name game (and/or anyone with a personal attachment to the name.)  I second the suggestions for these.: Ursula Beverly Doris Myra Edna  I don't think I saw these, but maybe they're not "old" enough: Marilyn Donna Marion Isadora  Naming is such a fun, but stressful, part of bringing a child into the family!  I loved reading about siblings naming younger siblings. I laughed at the two of you who rejected a sibling's name, only to use it years later. I wonder what your siblings thought, if they were glad you stepped in or if they would've liked the name after all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insertcreativenamehere Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosika Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 My mother's name is Dorcas. I'm not kidding.  I've often gotten the "huh" response when I give my mother's name. I've had people accuse me of making it up.  My mother would tell you not to name your daughter Dorcas. :)  It's so unfortunate that this name has become linked with the idea of "dork" because for anyone familiar with Dorcas in the Bible, it's a lovely story and association! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I've always liked Enid. I think I read a book with a lovely character by that name when I was a child. My mother's favorite author when she was a child was named Enid Blyton. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 My grandfather's sisters were named: Vina Iona Velora Zelpha Letha Elma  I always thought their mother, Minnie, made them up, but when I googled them, most of them showed up.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeFlowers Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I haven't seen Gladys mentioned. It was my grandmother's name and my great grandmother. I loved them both so much. Â Others I can think of that I don't think have been mentioned: Â Elsalee Lavonne Flora Verma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I'm still really undecided about baby names. Awhile back I ran a thread about virtue names but I still don't know about the ones that I have left. I've only got a month left so I need to get cracking! Anyway, I've got a fond affection for really old school names that everyone thinks are gross. Ultrasound says that we're having a girl. So give me your "gross" girl names that badly need revival. Here's a few to get you started:  Gertrude Dorcas Mildred Eunice Enid Beulah Beryl Agnes Alma Norma  My grandma's name is Mildred and she is 105, so it equals longevity. I know a Dorcas and she is a lovely person, so nice name. Agnes, I always think of the movie Agnes of G-d.  Sorry, Agnes.  Names I love and others hate: Beatrice Margaret Josephine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbeanmama Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I must be in a really weird subculture. The vast majority of names shared here, I know at least one, often several girls/ladies with those names. And not all of them are my grandma's age! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 My grandma's name is Mildred and she is 105, so it equals longevity. I know a Dorcas and she is a lovely person, so nice name. Agnes, I always think of the movie Agnes of G-d. Sorry, Agnes. Â Names I love and others hate: Beatrice Margaret Josephine I LOVE Margaret and Josephine. We were going to use Margaret if DS12 had been a girl. And my niece is named Josephine, though she goes by a nickname. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 I must be in a really weird subculture. The vast majority of names shared here, I know at least one, often several girls/ladies with those names. And not all of them are my grandma's age! Yeah, me too.  I canĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t really imagine many names that would actually make me think, Ă¢â‚¬Å“gross!Ă¢â‚¬ Except maybe something like Snot-Head or Hitler or Donnella Trumpette. But just picking from names that are still in a nursing home doesnĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t seem like a deal-breaker to me, because a lot of people do that. (A LOT.) I grew up with a middle name that, at the time, was still an old lady name, but now is quite popular and sounds normal or beautiful to modern ears. (Lillian.) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuzu822 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I'v thought it was strange that more people don't make the connection to the Bible story. I won't come out and say the name but DD is named for my mother but with the other version of the name. Very few people make the connection between my DD's name and my mother's name. I guess people aren't that familiar with Bible stories anymore. IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢m sorry to say my first association with Dorcas has always been the Salem witch trials. Ă°Å¸â„¢Ë†  Now that IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ve googled, I will say IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ve always been fond of the other version, however! Ă°Å¸ËœÅ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 It's so unfortunate that this name has become linked with the idea of "dork" because for anyone familiar with Dorcas in the Bible, it's a lovely story and association! When people can get that same lovely association by naming their daughter Tabitha, most choose that version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Not that most people name their daughters Tabitha either. I don't know about you, but I hear "Tabitha" and think either "cat" or "witch". 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storygirl Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 (edited) A couple more that I don't think have been mentioned.  Martha  (name of my MIL and my grandmother) Matilda  (I have a 2 year old cousin with this name) Glynis  (I had a boss with this name and had never heard of it before that)  Which makes me think of these: Gwen Anita  (another boss with this name) Neither of which have an old-lady connotation for me, but which are no longer common.  Also, Marlene Maybelene Annabelle Edited November 12, 2017 by Storygirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 If I had had another girl I would have called her Joyce after three of the nicest old layers I have ever met   This made me chuckle. I'm guessing your three Joyces were not chickens!  Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 A couple older names I can think of, that I don't think were mentioned, are Avis, Eide and Luella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 (edited) Abigail Agatha Brunhilda Donalda Erma Helga Olga Regina Winnifred Edited November 12, 2017 by KathyBC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 You can find more by reading the obituaries. ;) I was thinking a walk through a cemetery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Not that most people name their daughters Tabitha either. I don't know about you, but I hear "Tabitha" and think either "cat" or "witch".  I didnĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t mean most of ALL the people naming babies. I meant most people considering either version of that name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 What about Valerie? ItĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s never old or new. ItĂ¢â‚¬â„¢ll never be in the top 10. ItĂ¢â‚¬â„¢s not common, but still normal enough that people can spell and pronounce it easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Oh man. When you said gross I was thinking of the urban legends ... yeah.  So, anyway. There are some that I think are very dated but quaint and charming. Of the ones listed I'd go with Beryl, Dorothy, Glenda, Maude, Ruth (seriously, if I had a dd that would be her name), Edith, Gwendolyn, Hester, Winifred, Phyllis, Harriet, Moira. Other ones that I happen to like would be Adelaide, Rose, Pearl, Clara, Grace, Evelyn, Marjorie, Judith, Constance, Priscilla, Lydia, Genevieve, Rosalind, Lillian, Gillian, Jessamine.  Then there are some that are just plain dated and I don't really see them making a comeback. Edna, Gertrude, Dorcas, Eunice, Enid, Bertha, Helga, Agatha, Agnes, Ermentrude, Mercy, Silence, Keziah, Mehitabel, Edwina, Sophronia (Phronsie!), Theodosia, Lettice (everyone would call her lettuce!), Griselda, Bathsheba, Eulalia, Eglentine, Petronella, Scholastica, Elfreda, Etheldreda, Godiva, Urith.  Mercy is my middle daughter's name. Another local homeschool family has a Mercy.  Her pediatric neurologist had another patient with the Hispanic versions of her first and our last name close in age to my daughter so we had to be careful because they pulled the wrong file and we got the other girl's at one appointment.  The name Mercedes was a popular Hispanic name for girls in the 50s and 60s around here and Merci is a common nickname for them. That's why a member of my quilter's guild has that name and I'm betting the other patient whose file got pulled for my daughter's appointment was given that name in honor of an older relative or as a retro Hispanic name.  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingmom Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 That's how my sister got her name. She was named Amanda instead of Julie or Julia (they were still arguing discussing that one). When I was 9, Julie/Julia was the ugliest name I'd ever heard, so I got to name her. Â Also, my sister's childhood friend was almost named Dorcas. The dad gave the mom the choice of Dorcas or Lydia. I mean, really, is that even a choice? I suspect he really wanted Lydia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I really think Dorcas cannot be revived. It just has too strong of an affiliation wih Ă¢â‚¬Å“Dork.Ă¢â‚¬ Mildred might be the same because of Ă¢â‚¬Å“-dredĂ¢â‚¬ sounding like dread.  I do see potential in Norma and Alma and maybe Eunice. I think those names have a good potential to sound fresh within the next five - ten years. Perhaps not even that long.  Other Ă¢â‚¬Å“oldĂ¢â‚¬ names (I canĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t really call a name that someone, somewhere thinks is pretty Ă¢â‚¬Å“grossĂ¢â‚¬) that do seem to have come-back potential:  Maude Mavis Florence Nellie Ruth Eileen  Maybe Lois, like Lois Lane. Actually, that one is not hard to imagine at all.  My grandmother was supposedly going to be named Gertrude, but her sister (Nellie) suggested that that name was ugly and she should be called Elsie. Elsie is a pretty terrific name and IĂ¢â‚¬â„¢m guessing that is already on the come-back trail since Elsa in Frozen.  ETA: homophones! I know at least two children called Florence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuesdayschild Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I'm still really undecided about baby names. Awhile back I ran a thread about virtue names but I still don't know about the ones that I have left. I've only got a month left so I need to get cracking! Anyway, I've got a fond affection for really old school names that everyone thinks are gross. Ultrasound says that we're having a girl. So give me your "gross" girl names that badly need revival. Here's a few to get you started:  Beryl   I know a young woman named Beryl, she is beautiful inside and out!   A few more fashioned names (which are not gross!): Gwendolene Verity Georgette Paulette Suzette Elsbeth       Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 My mom's name was Mozella and my grandmother was Rilla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stibalfamily Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Hazel, I love that name 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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