Have I gone crazy...

[irisheyes]

I think Valerie has a really nice sound to it, actually, though you're right - my first thought is that it's dated.

Margaret is quite classic-sounding to me. Janet I'm still not sold on...

[taz]

I like the sound of Janet if I don't think of the many middle aged women I have known with the name...but I had Janelle on my list when I was pregnant. Valerie makes me think of Valerian root (my friend used to give it to her dog to calm her during car rides!) and Margaret is a classic that I never really liked- I've known a lot of Maggies. I think Marjorie has something cuter, spunkier and fresher to it.
I am kind of getting into these 'mom names' as people have called them and I especially like:
Linda, Bernadette, Annette, Jeanne, Theresa, Karen, Jolene, Nancy, Ramona, Susannah, Susan, Fiona and Vivian.
For the most part they all have that familiar/sort of classic/sort of dated...but maybe starting to sound fresh again quality. And they are such stronger and more solid names that all of the flowery/princessy ones that are super popular right now.

[taz]

Oh yeah- I forgot one of my faves- Joan!

[leburris]

Margaret is the best to me, but only for the nickname Maggie. Valerie is ok, not my favorite. Janet is pretty but does sound dated to me, like Shirley or Patricia.

[lineska]

Of the 3, Margaret stands out as a classic. I don't think it will ever feel dated and there are so many nn possibilities.

Valerie, yes it feels a little dusty and my first thought is of the Amy Winehouse song, but it is pretty! I can see it coming back in the future.

Janet not as much, even though I like Jane.

[babybliss]

I think Valerie is pretty and I love the nn Val!

[78special]

I like Margaret for it's nickname possibilities, of which there are a ton.

Valerie's good, too.

Janet. No.

[lucylu1986]

Margaret:I can see why you think this is quite pretty but personally I am not a fan, I love Margot/Margeaux though!

Valerie: I really like Valerie! It is a pretty name, I love Vivienne too!

Janet: I am not a fan of this name at all, it's not really that it sounds dated, but mostly because I find it very boring and stark as a name.

[*peach*]

Margaret - I think it is a lovely name, and I adore the nn Maggie! I also love Maharet (pronounced ma-ha-rhett) which is similiar but less well known.
Valerie - I love this name and I think it is definitely more modern feeling than Margaret or Janet.
Janet - I'm not a fan of this at all - honestly just reminds me of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[vicioustrollop9]

I love Margaret. I don't find it dated at all. Janet maybe a little dated - it's not quite into the "cool old lady names" category yet. Valerie doesn't seem dated to me, it seems very usable - it's just not my style.