Some say old fashioned, I say traditional. Classic maybe even! I ask because Jennie McAlpine (Fizz in Coronation Street) has given birth to her third child and called her new daughter Doris. Her two older children are called Albert and Hilda. This has led to quite a few comments from people saying that the names she has chosen are seriously outdated. I remember when her son was born, she said that she chose Albert because she wanted a solid Northern name for him. Being a northerner myself, I completely understand. My parents chose a fairly modern name for me which was once quite popular in the eighties and nineties but started to die out I'd say mid 2000s. I think I have a nice name and I like that it's becoming less common. When I was at school there were loads of girls with my name which was a bit annoying because you wouldn't know who teacher was talking to! When I had my two however, I chose more traditional names which I agree aren't everyone's cup of tea but I liked them and thought they suited my kids perfectly.
So what does everyone think of the more old fashioned names like Arthur or Mabel and would you use them for your kids?
There's been some talk here about old-fashioned names versus classic. Well I believe I've given both my children classic rather than old-fashioned names, Charlie and Kian. The latter because I'm Irish. I don't believe these names will ever get old and unpopular and are suitable for people of any age, so I think it's a good choice if I may say so. My own name though once popular, isn't so much anymore. In fact I've not met anyone seriously younger than me with my name so I guess it's not a popular choice anymore. I'm all for people giving their kids whatever name they fancy - old or not. It's all about what you like.
My first name is a derivative of Elizabeth and my middle name is what some on here have referred to as a 'classic' name. Both are beautiful and combined together it makes for quite an exquisite name. I don't think either will ever sound old or not be in use any more. My sister is called Jill. It's a pretty name but not one that you here a lot of. But I dont think it's old fashioned.
There are some names though you just have to say goodbye too. It doesn't matter if old names are coming back or not. Who would call their kid Gertrude or Cyril?
Hmm... I think my name is definitely an old-fashioned one. I very much doubt there are any twenty-somethings around with the same name as me. My dad says it was popular when I was born but I doubt it very much! I hated my name as a child and often wished I'd been called something else. I don't mind it so much now - but definitely think I'm more of an Angel! Though some would beg to differ! 😉
But anyway there definitely seems to be a bit of a revival of names that are considered not-so-modern. The Melberry Bush has talked about classic names and I definitely think there is a difference between old-fashioned and classic. The difference being that classic never gets old. But one persons old is another person's classic so I suppose it's a matter of personal opinion.
I think my own name is becoming very old fashioned! It was very common in the 1970s-1990s but I don't see anyone giving their kid my name any more. I've no doubt it'll come back into fashion because aside from the fact that it's not a bad name (if I may say so myself) but names always go in and out of fashion. My husband and my stepchildren have what would be considered classic names: names that have been around forever but are still in use and will probably never get old.
I think these sort of classic names like Thomas or Louise are great because it won't date and work well for young or old.
I actually do have what a lot of people would consider an 'old-fashioned' name but it's one that's still quite popular today. It was actually quite fitting that my mum named me that becaause as a very young child, my family moved in France where we lived for many years. My name was probably more common in France back then than it was in Britain but now there's lots of little girls with this name.
I think the 'old' names always come back into fashion again. Just look at names like Archie, Alfie and Matilda all of which are very popular now. But there are some names like Edna for example that I can't ever see making a return.