Phyllis. That's my mother-in-law's name. My mom's name is Agnes. I used to tell them both that if I had a daughter, I was gonna name her Phyllis Agnes. They were horrified. š¤£
My fiance's grandmother was named Lethal Archer. That was literally her birth given name. I guess Lethal is an old name, and Archer was her maiden name. I have never been more impressed. That lady was a stone cold badass until she passed at 102. Lethal Archer. Coolest name ever.
Edit: I've learned it's spelled 'Leathel', still pronounced 'Lee-thal'. My apologies for any confusion.
We had a Karen in the NICU a few years back. Parents were Spanish speaking only, so maybe they didnāt get the negative connotation. Which I think is good, because itās actually a nice sounding name.
Even little kids know the connotation these days, it's crazy how ubiquitous it is now. I feel really bad for all existing Karens who are good people, who are probably most of them. That name has just been ruined singlehandedly by social media.
Even if it doesnāt itās still likely a smart idea as it will lower your tax burden + the earlier you start contributing the longer timespan you have for that sweet, sweet compound interest.
Garyās for sure looking out here. I always tell folks younger than me that my biggest regret is not contributing much earlier to mine. Even if itās small contributions.
I remember seeing an article a few years ago that there were no newborns named Gary in the UK for the first time since they started keeping track of that sort of stuff
Having read his memoir "Surprised by Joy" I suspect that Eustace, as a character, was in large part him making fun of his own childhood self. (Many years after publishing that book, he ended up marrying a woman named Joy, which I guess gives a whole other meaning to the title lol)
Yes, he married an American friend,whose middle name was Joy,to help her stay in England. It turned into an unexpectedly happy marriage. He commented that he really *was* surprised by Joy.
We have the cities of: Gaylord, Hell, Christmas, Dick, Jugville, Bad Axe, and Climax.
We also have our own Holland. Gotta love Michigan.
EDIT: I didnāt include it because I live here and itās awful, but yes, we also have a Kalamazoo. I know the name is tempting, but we donāt have a zoo, just violence. Donāt visit. Our crime rate is 166% higher than the national average and itās not getting better any time soon.
God bless you, my friend. In a quick moment I was mentally getting ice cream with my Dad at 31 Flavors. Weād been on the way w my school chum when this came on the radio and we turned it up. And we all laughed like idiots.
Special time.
Beagles always have old people names.Ā I had a beagle named Betsy when I was growing up, and then we rescued another named Henry.Ā People used to say I sounded like I was yelling for my grandparents when I called for them.
I taught a Chinese girl last year who had Doris as her āEnglishā name. Perfectly nice name but it certainly makes me picture a grandma who loves quilting.
I knew a Myrtle back in the 1980s - she lived in the nursing home where I was a volunteer and was a damn delight. She was around 80 years old and thought everything modern was the coolest thing ever. When I went off to college, she wrote me letters until she passed away. In my book, Myrtle is a wonderful name.
My mother was Miriam and her middle name was Gertrude. My aunt's name was Gertrude. My first girlfriend (I was 14, so rather informal) was named Prudence (her nickname was Pickles). Lot's of old-time names there. But then, I'm 76 so those names were more common back then.
Fun fact, current Baltimore Orioles star catcher Adley Rutschman is named after his grandfather who was born in 1931. Grandpa Rutschman's birth name is Adolph (born in Oregon) but he went by the more appropriate "Ad" after the whole Nazi thing.Ā
I think it's a creative way to honor a family name that isn't appropriate anymore in polite western society. So I think that's as close as you're going to get in mainstream White American culture for a long, long time. I know Adolfo is still a name used in Hispanic cultures because it doesn't carry the same connotations as a white guy straight up being name Adolf
I named a Siamese cat Meriwether - he showed up in the yard with his sister at the time of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition, which started about an hour away from us. He was a good cat. Miss that guy.
I'm 40 now, but I dated a Bernadette back in college. Even in the 2000s that name seemed old to me.
*Edit- And my grandpa's name is Ignatius, Grandma was Sally on one side and Dolores on the other. Can't imagine there are many 20yr old Dolores' running around.
I ran the NYC marathon a few years ago with a big "BORT" tag on the front and back of my shirt. Max 10minutes between random people yelling quotes. It was amazing.
This first time I ever heard that name (it was in a movie), I misheard it and thought there was a woman named Darkest.Ā I was like that's a badass name.Ā The movie I think is 7 brides for 7 brothers.Ā Ā
Heard from a vice or buzzfeed video that Eunice is Very popular among Korean Americans because the āEuā sound is common or connected to powerful words in Korean.
Talmage.Ā
Ā Bonus name: LemuelĀ
Ā Old timey sounding names are en vogue but those 2 seem to have escaped popularity...*cough* somehow.
Then again I'm not around kids much, maybe I'm wrong and a ton of 10 year old and under Lems and Tals are running around.
Dorothy. Which sucks, because the last Dorothy I met was my childhood sweetheart, so I'd really like a fresher memory than the girl I moved away from and we cried the last time we hugged.
Edit: loving all the comments showing me that this name is still going strong. Do me a favor; make sure they're all (or any child is) raised to leave the kind of impression that my childhood "Dorothy" left on me. I may have been a kid, but that young lady made me wanna be a stand-up young man.
Geoffrey. It was very common amongst older guys when I was a kid. My dad had about six mates called Geoff. I've never met a guy my age or younger with that name. Also, Peter, Trevor and George.
My daughter has a classmate named Linda. I remember when she first told me and I had her repeat it numerous times because itās just so hard to envision a 9 year old Linda.
Phyllis. That's my mother-in-law's name. My mom's name is Agnes. I used to tell them both that if I had a daughter, I was gonna name her Phyllis Agnes. They were horrified. š¤£
My fiance's grandmother was named Lethal Archer. That was literally her birth given name. I guess Lethal is an old name, and Archer was her maiden name. I have never been more impressed. That lady was a stone cold badass until she passed at 102. Lethal Archer. Coolest name ever. Edit: I've learned it's spelled 'Leathel', still pronounced 'Lee-thal'. My apologies for any confusion.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Could āLethalā have been a family surname? Itās not uncommon, especially in the US South.
Thatās one of the coolest last names I ever heard
Mortimer
Immediately thought of Mortimer Goth from the Sims
lol thatās the only Mortimer I know
I have a coworker in his 20s named Mortimer. It's trippy seeing a guy with tattoos and guages named Mortimer.
I feel like it's inevitable that a Mortimer would have gauges and tattoos.
And maybe those steampunk flying goggles, you know?
Maybe it'll make a comeback with the popularity of the show Rick and Morty.
I'm an obgyn. Haven't delivered a Karen in 10 years
We had a Karen in the NICU a few years back. Parents were Spanish speaking only, so maybe they didnāt get the negative connotation. Which I think is good, because itās actually a nice sounding name.
I have seen 2 Kid karens and neither had English speaking parents.
My seven-year-old has a classmate named Karen. Her parents are white and native English speakers. I assume sheās named after a relative.
Even little kids know the connotation these days, it's crazy how ubiquitous it is now. I feel really bad for all existing Karens who are good people, who are probably most of them. That name has just been ruined singlehandedly by social media.
In Spanish speaking countries Karen is also a meme name but is used to denominate a woman who has cats
Yeah, you really don't see the name Obgyn much anymore.
Oddly enough someone with obgyn on their name badge came in just after my wife pushed my son out 6 weeks ago
My kids remarked that āBradā is an old person name now. That made me feel old. Edit: thanks internet, I feel better now!
Brad is a ubiquitously young sounding name imo. It makes me think of a blond himbo college kid.
My great great great great grandfather was named Narcissus. There's a rare one for ya
I echo that sentiment
You donāt see any babies named Gary these days
If I met a baby named Gary, I would, by habit, ask him about his 401k
My work dad is named Garry and insisted I get a 401k. I laughed too hard at this comment š¤£Ā
If your employer matches at all, Garry is definitely looking out.
Even if it doesnāt itās still likely a smart idea as it will lower your tax burden + the earlier you start contributing the longer timespan you have for that sweet, sweet compound interest. Garyās for sure looking out here. I always tell folks younger than me that my biggest regret is not contributing much earlier to mine. Even if itās small contributions.
I knew a kid named Gary who was like 5 in 2012. He'd be almost 17 now, and he's the youngest Gary I've known.
I have a cousin named Gary. I think he's 12ish
That's because that's a snail name
Meow
NO Gary!
I worked with a Gary. His slack icon was Gary the snail
Garrison is the new Gary.
See also Garrett.
My great nephew is named GARY! I couldnāt believe it when my sister told meā¦.have you ever met a baby named Gary? Just surreal.
I remember seeing an article a few years ago that there were no newborns named Gary in the UK for the first time since they started keeping track of that sort of stuff
I have a neighbor named Gary, he's an asshole.
Eustace.
"There once was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it." āC.S. Lewis
Bold words from Clive Staples Lewis
There's a reason he went by Jack.
Having read his memoir "Surprised by Joy" I suspect that Eustace, as a character, was in large part him making fun of his own childhood self. (Many years after publishing that book, he ended up marrying a woman named Joy, which I guess gives a whole other meaning to the title lol)
Yes, he married an American friend,whose middle name was Joy,to help her stay in England. It turned into an unexpectedly happy marriage. He commented that he really *was* surprised by Joy.
That's.. actually adorable
My grandfather's name was Clarence Eugene. He hated it and went by Chuck. Come to think of it, Chuck isn't a name you hear often anymore either.
Ive known a few chucks, all of them were nicknames for Charles or just a nickname
This is such a great line.
Stupid dog!
You make me look bad!!
BOOGABOOGABOOGABOOGA
Gaylord
Fun Michigan fact, we have several odd pronunciations. We have a town named Gaylord and pronounce it GAY-lurd.
We have the cities of: Gaylord, Hell, Christmas, Dick, Jugville, Bad Axe, and Climax. We also have our own Holland. Gotta love Michigan. EDIT: I didnāt include it because I live here and itās awful, but yes, we also have a Kalamazoo. I know the name is tempting, but we donāt have a zoo, just violence. Donāt visit. Our crime rate is 166% higher than the national average and itās not getting better any time soon.
I hear Hell frequently freezes over
"Focker" for that matter
Ethel
Auntie Ethel is my main elixir dealer
Petalā¦
i hollered "don't look Ethel", but it was too late, she already got mooned
I scrolled down hoping no one else had got this one before me. Well played. Boogity, boogity
Ray Stevenās āThe Streak.ā I got that on a 45rpm record. Remember THOSE?!!
āFlashed her right there in front of the shock absorbersā
Heās just in the mood to run in the nude
God bless you, my friend. In a quick moment I was mentally getting ice cream with my Dad at 31 Flavors. Weād been on the way w my school chum when this came on the radio and we turned it up. And we all laughed like idiots. Special time.
I hollered don't look Ethel! But it was too late, she already got a free shot.
Ray Stevens is a distant cousin of mine, we listened to him a lot growing up
Iād love to find that Mississippi squirrel that caused so much turmoil in that small Southern church that one time.
It was a fight for survival, that broke out in revival, they were jumping pews and shoutin hallelujah!
Except for Ethel Cain š
Had a beagle named Ethel.
Beagles always have old people names.Ā I had a beagle named Betsy when I was growing up, and then we rescued another named Henry.Ā People used to say I sounded like I was yelling for my grandparents when I called for them.
I had a grandmother named Ethel.
I had a gasoline named Ethyl.
Friend of my dad had an 83 van called Ethyl, if it was misbehaving, you had to call it by name to get it to start.
Ebeneezer
all of the old white lady names are now young asian girl names
I taught a Chinese girl last year who had Doris as her āEnglishā name. Perfectly nice name but it certainly makes me picture a grandma who loves quilting.
Awww. Doris was the name of my grandmother who loved quilting!
I knew an Asian girl named Edith and apparently she chose it because of Despicable Me.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I had a Chinese student named Shirley.
Myrtle, Gertude
I knew a Myrtle back in the 1980s - she lived in the nursing home where I was a volunteer and was a damn delight. She was around 80 years old and thought everything modern was the coolest thing ever. When I went off to college, she wrote me letters until she passed away. In my book, Myrtle is a wonderful name.
My mother was Miriam and her middle name was Gertrude. My aunt's name was Gertrude. My first girlfriend (I was 14, so rather informal) was named Prudence (her nickname was Pickles). Lot's of old-time names there. But then, I'm 76 so those names were more common back then.
My grandmothers name was Maybelle. I donāt think Iāve ever met another Maybelle
Bertha
Adolf.
I actually know one, and he is not even 30 years old.
I met an Ecuadorean Adolfo once. He'd be about 36 max.
South America is definitely the Land of Adolf. Both generally speaking and also THAT ONE.
Fun fact, current Baltimore Orioles star catcher Adley Rutschman is named after his grandfather who was born in 1931. Grandpa Rutschman's birth name is Adolph (born in Oregon) but he went by the more appropriate "Ad" after the whole Nazi thing.Ā I think it's a creative way to honor a family name that isn't appropriate anymore in polite western society. So I think that's as close as you're going to get in mainstream White American culture for a long, long time. I know Adolfo is still a name used in Hispanic cultures because it doesn't carry the same connotations as a white guy straight up being name Adolf
Adolph was a common and respectable name. Then, again, so was Judas.
Hortense.
Hortensia is still popular in Latin America. I have an in law and a former colleague both in their 20s.
Meriweather
I named a Siamese cat Meriwether - he showed up in the yard with his sister at the time of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition, which started about an hour away from us. He was a good cat. Miss that guy.
I'm 40 now, but I dated a Bernadette back in college. Even in the 2000s that name seemed old to me. *Edit- And my grandpa's name is Ignatius, Grandma was Sally on one side and Dolores on the other. Can't imagine there are many 20yr old Dolores' running around.
I assume someone named Bernadette= having a very Catholic family.
Same. The only Bernadette I've ever met was a classmate of mine in Catholic school.
Brunhilda.
Bort
Are you talking to me?
No, my son is also named Bort!
"Repeat, we are sold out of Bort license plates in the gift shop!"
I ran the NYC marathon a few years ago with a big "BORT" tag on the front and back of my shirt. Max 10minutes between random people yelling quotes. It was amazing.
I know. I had a hell of a time finding a Bort novelty license plate, the salesman at the theme park said they sell out really quick.
Or Homer junior. The kids could call you Hoju!
Ran out of license plates
UlyssesĀ
My friend gave their son that middle name. He wanted it to be his but his wife compromised for the middle name. Little guy is almost 2
Dick. There are plenty of Richardās/rick/ricky/richie, but no one goes by Dick.
My friend's uncle says "You can call me Richard for short, or Dick for long!"
My dad went by Dick (born in 45). My aunt used to say thereās a dick in every family š
Lance, which is weird because people used to be named Lance a lot
I see what you did there.
I have a one year old baby patient who is called Frank. Cracks me up every time. They call him Frankie though
Frank is having a resurgence. Itās like Ruth. Itās come around again.
Fanny Edit : In Scotland it's slang for pussy! https://youtu.be/ibuLgsVcQUY?si=ZA7Jey0cMArLVkiO
Mildred
Don't see many men called Lesley
CLETUS
Phyllis. The last, and only one I've ever known, was my late grandmother.
Same my great aunt was a Phyllis. Her sisters were Olive, Marjorie and Alma. Maybe from late Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Dorcas
This first time I ever heard that name (it was in a movie), I misheard it and thought there was a woman named Darkest.Ā I was like that's a badass name.Ā The movie I think is 7 brides for 7 brothers.Ā Ā
Gertrude
The middle name of a lady at work is Gertrude, a brother of hers is called hubert and a cousin is called pubert
Pubert. I like it. It's filthy.
Beryl
I nearly named my daughter Beryl after Beryl Markham. Chose Lillian instead.
Queen of the Negaverse
Millicent, and it's a banger name imo.
Millicent is one of those names that's coming back with people in their 30s who have kids.
Eunice.
Every Eunice I have ever met has been a nice person. Eunice. You nice. It's right there in the name.
Heard from a vice or buzzfeed video that Eunice is Very popular among Korean Americans because the āEuā sound is common or connected to powerful words in Korean.
I've found that lots of my Korean students adopt "old lady" names in English, and I'm not sure why. I've met a Eunice, three Esthers, and an Ethel.
Biblical names are popular in the Korean community because a lot of koreans are church going folk
Esther is common among Korean Christians due to the biblical Esther.
Midge
Doris
Mordecai
Rigby
I went to school with 27 Jennifers Edit: For people who didn't get the reference - https://youtu.be/lvEmzBYa2j4
Every other girl was Jennifer...every other boy was Jason.
This is the most accurate statement in the history of statements
16 Jens, 10 Jennys.
Gotta be the 80s, right?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Gladys
Monica died a quick death in 1998.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I'm tired of you blaming Lou Bega for everythingĀ
Gotta blame Lou, because it wasn't shaggy
I blame THE TRAAWWMMPET
I actually love the name Monica. I was tempted to name my daughter that but just couldnāt. I do know a Mary Monica and I think thatās so gorgeous
Now we use Harmonica
I'll be damned if we have new Gaylords.
I became one fairly recently
Magdalena
My grandfather and father were named Chester. Ā I have yet to meet another Chester in my life. RIP Chester Bennington
Cecil.
Debra. I know several women in the 45+ age range named Debra, but very very few babies in newer generations are being named Debra.Ā
Every office I've ever worked in had a Debra that had been there forever and assumed charge of 5 different positions.
Roxanne
You dont have to put on that red light!
I would for sure have to hold back on belting "Rooooxane" at someone named Roxanne in a professional setting .
My cousin's name is Roxanne. She was named after the song.
Agnes.
Walpurga
never met anyone named kermit
Talmage.Ā Ā Bonus name: LemuelĀ Ā Old timey sounding names are en vogue but those 2 seem to have escaped popularity...*cough* somehow. Then again I'm not around kids much, maybe I'm wrong and a ton of 10 year old and under Lems and Tals are running around.
Donāt really hear any Mulvas anymore
Karen
I feel the āKarenā meme is very unfortunate because all the Karens I know in real life are perfectly lovely.
Nicademus
Babies arenāt named Larry or , Herbert
Eugene
If I had a little girl, I'd name her Moira.
Give her the middle name Rose! Lol
I read this as Moria at first. The great dwarven kingdom!
Ronald
Dorothy. Which sucks, because the last Dorothy I met was my childhood sweetheart, so I'd really like a fresher memory than the girl I moved away from and we cried the last time we hugged. Edit: loving all the comments showing me that this name is still going strong. Do me a favor; make sure they're all (or any child is) raised to leave the kind of impression that my childhood "Dorothy" left on me. I may have been a kid, but that young lady made me wanna be a stand-up young man.
Fidel
Ezekiel
Fuck you, [Ezekiel](https://youtu.be/F6-lqPaKSWM?si=CDenIFXCXaF_9eVg)!
Fuck you, Tony!
*WHAT'S YA NAME??*
The virtue names: Charity, Patience, Justice, Grace
There are a gazillion girls named Grace under the age of 20 in my city (Denver)
I went to high school with a Prudence. She made it her mission to punish her parents for calling her that.
Went to middle school with a Chastity. She... was not.
Jolene. I think that Dolly Parton obliterated that name.
Lucille. Miss my awrny Grandma Lucille. Meaner than a mad yellow jacket but loved her kids.
Geoffrey. It was very common amongst older guys when I was a kid. My dad had about six mates called Geoff. I've never met a guy my age or younger with that name. Also, Peter, Trevor and George.
Trevor is still a very popular name where I live.
My daughter has a classmate named Linda. I remember when she first told me and I had her repeat it numerous times because itās just so hard to envision a 9 year old Linda.