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READY FOR THEIR COMEBACK?

One of the most popular lists on nameberry is the Old Lady Cool Names: names that have been in retirement for several decades now but just might be ready for a comeback.

Antique names for both sexes are popular too, as parents search for names that are out of the ordinary yet have the backing of tradition.

Of course, not every neglected name deserves to be revived. Gertrude, Ethel, Melvin: These may be best left in the time capsule, at least for now.

Some of the quirkier old-school names — Olive, Rufus, Hazel, Edwin — have already been resuscitated by hipster parents. But what are the less obvious old gems worthy of a fresh look? We wouldn’t necessarily stake the farm (or the loft) on the comeback of the following, but parents who are both adventurous and tradition-minded may want to consider these choices:

girls

boys

HAROLD/HAL

WALTER

Anybody else predict some other unlikely old-fashioned names we’ll be hearing more of?

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Tags: 19th century names, antique names, classic baby names, old lady names, old man names, old-fashioned names, old-style baby names, traditional baby names, unique baby names

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 2:29 am and is filed under boys' names, classic baby names, girls' names, historic names, name history, name style, unusual baby names . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

12 Responses to “READY FOR THEIR COMEBACK?”

Lyndsay Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am

the baby name i’m using is in there! I never intended to be a hipster, but there you have it. I love the boys names on this list and would be thrilled if some of them made a comeback, particularly Walter, George, Howard, Arthur, and especially Alfred! Though I’d like for mine to be the only one he knows. I’m not as fond of the girls names, but I have always loved Faye, and Adelia is cute.

Elisabeth Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:32 am

My predictions for underground risers:

Clementine
Cordelia
Edith
Maud(e)

August (-us, -in, -en, -ine)
Calvin
Frederick
Hugh & Hugo
Theodore
Otto

pam Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am

I think you’re absolutely right, Elisabeth. In fact, I’d say that Clementine, Edith (usually as Edie), the Mauds, the Augusts, Hugo and Theodore are already here. But, Lyndsay, I don’t think you have to worry about meeting too many little Alfreds or Arthurs.

Ash SP Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:35 am

I personally know of two babies named Ruth so I think Ruth is definitely becoming more appealing than it was only a short while ago.

Oh! And Sylvia as well. I’ve heard that a few times in the past few weeks.

As for boys names, one of my best friends just named her new little one Ira. I think it’s fun but definitely was an
“older person” name for quite a while.

pam Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:39 am

I don’t know if I’ll ever stop seeing Ira and Ruth as stooped and semi-bald…..

namefan Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am

An “old name” that hasn’t been mentioned yet that I like is Mabel.

Elisabeth Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I do think most on my list are no longer “less obvious.” They’ve yet to hit widespread national use though as far as I know. I have met several Georges, Helens, Agathas, Esthers, Sylivias, an Arthur, and a Victor, so they all have about an equal feeling of usability to me.

Other, less obvious thoughts:

Bernadette
Blanche
Dorothy
Eileen
Erma
Gladys (I actually think this is kind of “happy” and pretty)

Claude
Chester
Francis
Gilbert
Moe

Andrea Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

I’ve interviewed a couple of young Esthers, one in high school and one in elementary school, both the daughters of fairly religious Protestants. One Esther has little sisters named Sarah and Hannah and the other has a younger sister named Camilla, nicknamed Millie. There is also a young MarthaJoan at the Catholic elementary here. There’s a junior high boy named Gus at one of the tiny rural schools here and he has a younger sister named Gracie. They’re heavily into the rodeo circuit. Gus is not a terribly popular name here yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see more of them. His parents are ahead of the curve.

Going by the birth announcements from the Irish papers, I’d say Fay/Faye is fairly popular there, so it might become well used here as well. The Brits and the Irish also seem to like some of the nickname names such as Nancy, Sally, Polly, Bonnie.

I don’t think Ethel is all that ugly. It’s the sort of name I could see a certain kind of person using. Selma, Velma, Enid, etc., (smart know-it-all girls wearing glasses like Velma from Scooby Doo or Ghost World) and Fred (but not Freddie, thanks to Nightmare on Elm Street), Frank, Hank, Chuck are all that sort of “See how hip and how much I DON’T care what you think” name.

berlinea Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

I was going to say mabel too! Such a cute name I think it could come around again…

L Says:

December 12th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

Thinking back on family names perhaps Virginia, Viola, Zetta, or Goldie (named during the gold rush). I have a great grandmother named Karma, but that sounds so 70’s now.

susan Says:

December 13th, 2008 at 2:15 am

I think for girls, Rosemary nn Romy or Rosie, Frieda, Trixie, Francine nn Francie, Pippa, and Aurora nn Rory might get popular with the hipsters. For boys future popular names might be Hector, Ansel, Alban, Clement, Rupert, Willis, and Franklin.
I wish Paulina nn Lena and Lilias would be stylish because I love them! And I love Vito and Viggo for boys.

marty Says:

July 17th, 2009 at 12:44 am

For boys I love the name Phineas (Fin) and also Seamus. For girls, Bridget with the nickname (Bridie) and Molly.

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