By old-timey names, I mean ones that you don’t typically associate with anyone alive or younger than like 70.

Examples being:

  • Burl
  • Mildred
  • Herbert
  • Agnes
  • Evelyn (not as rare at the others, but getting there)

I’ve always liked the name “Opal” but I’ve only ever known two in my life. I was like 10-12 at the time, and they were both pushing 90.

    • go $fsck yourself
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      2520 days ago

      You definitely don’t see many people named Lance, but back in the day people were named Lancelot.

    • Flying Squid
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      418 days ago

      I went to a school with an Eleanor, who really embodied her name by being way into the local SCA group, doing ren fairs all the time, and is now a medieval history professor.

      She’s the most Eleanor Eleanor you can possibly Eleanor.

    • @[email protected]
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      219 days ago

      Eleanor

      Eleanor (spelled “Ellinor” here) has definitely made its comeback already, we considered it if we got a girl (got a boy instead) and have since met multiple Ellinors in his age group.

  • [email protected]
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    2320 days ago

    Évelyne is faily common around here still.

    Gilgamesh is one I haven’t heard in a hot minute, not sure about the comeback though.

    • Admiral PatrickOP
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      20 days ago

      True. Evelyne Brochu is my age.

      Gilgamesh is one I haven’t heard in a hot minute, not sure about the comeback though.

      Not with that attitude lol. Maybe we can ease it back in as a middle name or something.

  • @[email protected]
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    2020 days ago

    I’m fond of “Gwendolyn” but I’ve never met or even known of one, to my knowledge.

    • @[email protected]
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      920 days ago

      I’ve seen it once, although more recently met a Genevieve which feels even rarer and just as pretty.

      • @[email protected]
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        520 days ago

        I knew a Genevieve in college, and then my son’s best friend in preschool was a Genevieve who went by Jenny (or Geny?) and now my daughter has one in her class, so they’re making a comeback maybe?

    • Admiral PatrickOP
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      720 days ago

      I knew a Gwen in college, but it wasn’t short for Gwendolyn. Just “Gwen”.

        • @[email protected]
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          119 days ago

          I’ve heard a Welsh musician called Gwennifer.
          I think Jennifer, Guinevere are all probably similar just different languages.

  • all-knight-party
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    1820 days ago

    I want people to go by their first two initials, and then the entire last name. Y’know, “H. G. Wells, J.G. Wentworth”.

    It just makes everyone sound more fancy and serious.

    • edric
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      920 days ago

      I have 2 first names and I prefer to go by their initials. I’m so used to it that I sometimes don’t notice when someone calls me by my actual first name.

      • palordrolap
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        119 days ago

        I’m imagining that your first name is something like Vijay and your middle initial is J, and so no wonder you wouldn’t notice.

    • Admiral PatrickOP
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      920 days ago

      My boss does that, and for that reason. I do like it. Unfortunately, he cannot help me get cash now from my structured settlement.

      • palordrolap
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        220 days ago

        Funny. I had a boss who thought that use of initials was pretentious. Or maybe I’m putting words in his mouth and it was specifically my use of a middle initial he didn’t like. Harry S Truman’s name would presumably have given him a headache.

        Either way, I countered that having a customised number plate on a car was surely just as bad, to which he had no answer.

    • Bizzle
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      419 days ago

      I’m about to heavily doxx myself so please be cool, but I go by B.E. Moore professionally on account of the fact that those are my initials and last name

    • Admiral PatrickOP
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      520 days ago

      True. And on the same note, I’ve known more men named Kelly than women.

    • Nuggsy
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      520 days ago

      My great grandfather’s name was Hilary. My nan wasn’t entirely impressed when I mention it was a girls name as a kid xD

    • Flying Squid
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      118 days ago

      Yves (pronounced ‘Eve’) as well.

      My grandfather’s name was Zälly on his German birth certificate, but when he emigrated to the UK, people laughed because it sounded like “Sally,” so he changed it to Solly, and eventually Sol.

      I also went to high school with a guy with South African parents who was named Kerrin (which sounds like Karen), which I am guessing is less weird in South Africa.

  • @[email protected]
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    1720 days ago

    I think Millicent and Winnifred would be cute because you can shorten them to Millie and Winnie

    • @[email protected]
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      118 days ago

      I used to work with a Millie - it was difficult to resolve such a cute name with such a competent engineer. Maybe it shows my biases but I feel like she had to overcome her name

  • @[email protected]
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    1520 days ago

    May and June. I feel like there’s a lot of younger Aprils but the other two month names seem like old lady names.

    • @[email protected]
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      419 days ago

      I used to know a woman named April, and her two daughters are May and June. (Both still under age 12.)

    • Admiral PatrickOP
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      420 days ago

      Can confirm. I know several Aprils my age or younger, but no Mays at all, and no Junes younger than 70.

      • @[email protected]
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        420 days ago

        Went to university with a lady named (I kid you not): April May June

        According to her, her parents thought it would be “fun”.

        I would guess she is about 50-60 years old now.

        • Admiral PatrickOP
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          119 days ago

          There was a joke on Married with Children way back where Bud gets a Valentine’s day card from someone with that name. He is suspicious it’s a prank from his sister because “those are all works [Kelly] knows”.

          Wonder if she was named after that episode? Lol

  • @Cuberoot
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    1420 days ago

    Zebulon – traditional Biblical name. Maybe still used in Israel, but not many Americans have used it since the days of Zebulon Pike (Pike’s Peak) and Zebulon Vance (Civil War era NC governor).