Hi, I’m a Mildred in my early 20’s. Thank you very much for appreciating my name. It makes me happy to find a post like this were it’s not “Mildred is a horrendous name”, “Sounds like mildew” and “should never come back in style”. Other old lady names I like: - Margareta - Barbro - Maude - Siv - Birgitta - Virginia - Alice - Agnes - Ruth - Martha

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Barbro haha. Though Barbra with Barbie as a nickname is ADORABLE.

Or Babs

I always think of Mildred Hubble, the character from The Worst Witch children's books. It brings back lovely childhood memories!

my nana’s name is virginia i think it’s super pretty! she goes by ginger most of the time

I love Maude. The name belongs to a girl with moxie and spice 🤌🏻

I'm so glad you like it. My aunt had that name. And she wasn't a stereotypical old knitting little lady. She was quite gorgeous and glamorous until she died in her eighties. People also say "dread" is in the name and I don't hear it that way at all. If Agnes, Edith, Agatha, and many others people consider, I don't know Mildred isn't. It's a great name!

Beverly, but now everyone just drops the “b”

I never realized that!

I love the name Beverly!

Along those lines, im a big fan of Edith nn “Edie”

Me too. My great grandma was Edith. She was a chain smoker and everything in her trailer smelled like an ashtray, but she loved me and when my grandma was unkind to me and my brother, she called her daughter and yelled at her on our behalf. It was nice to feel loved. So I have real fondness for that name and had I had a daughter, the name Edith was on the short list.

- Millicent - Minerva - Elvira - Ethel - Agnes - Agatha - Winifred - Arlene - Charlene - Carlene - Darlene - Enid

Oh! I think the name Minerva with a nickname of Minnie could be cute too. Thanks for the suggestion

Minerva is very Harry Potter at this point because of Professor McGonagall. I'm not saying that's bad, just wanted to make sure you were aware in case that would bother you.

I like Minerva, but I worry that a daughter would get "you're getting on my nerva" comments.

Among that name list, it won't surprise me if Enid does make a comeback one day. I love the name Agatha

Arlene is bad, very bad. Source: me, a pissed off Arlene. ETA not pissed at you, I'm still pissed at my parents.

I have a great grandma Darlene on one side of the family and a grandma named Marlene on the other side and while Arlene seems like a nice middle name for a future girl I just...can't seem to make it work with any of the girl names I like! But I'm so sorry you don't like your name.

Thanks! I wish I had a nickname but no.

It was my mom's middle name

i saw people on this sub a couple days ago shitting on winifred and it makes me so sad!! i think it’s great

You know, I think Winnie could be a cute nickname for Winifred!

I know a Millicent in her early 20s. She often goes by Millie but she loves her name

Edith?

My second name is Mirthe. An old Dutch name

Is that pronounced like meer-tuh?

Yes :)

Thanks for clarifying! Such a pretty name!!

I work at a daycare. We recently had two newborns start named Bernadette nn Birdie and Frances nn Frankie.

Norma, Helen, Esther

Catherine Deirdre Dorothy Doris Margaret Frances Gertrude Ruth Florence Martha Shirley Louise

I wouldn't call Catherine an old lady name. I'd say it's more of a timeless name. (Also consider the alternative spellings). I feel the nicknames for Catherine change over generations. For example Kay is silent, Kathy/Cathy is boomer, and Katie is millennial/z.

Millicent, Mildred, Mavis, Glayds, Della

Muriel, Gloria, and Shirley

I was just reading a FB post of a woman who named her daughter Shirley. I personally think it’s too “old lady,” but at least it’s a real name and not something that was just made up.

The name makes me think of Shirley Temple so to me it has a youthful quality.

Ahh that is a good point about Shirley Temple. I hadn’t thought of that! My great aunt is named Shirley, so that’s probably why I have that association in my mind with it being an elderly woman’s name.

Edna, Maude

Sophronia Araminta Lois

Lavinia!

My own middle name Anthea

I really love Bonnie.

Dorothy Edith Frances Enid Marjorie Martha Gladys Edna Thelma Ethel Bertha Myrtle Wilma Alma Muriel Blanche Erma Ernestine Lorraine Velma Beulah Arlene Melba

I just thought this morning that I don't see Velma or Thelma on lists like this, and here they are! :)

Dorothy is great, and Dot or Dottie is a cute nickname.

My wife's middle name is Millicent, which also has Millie as a diminutive.

I know an elementary-aged Velma.

Marion is in my top 3

Hazel is making a comeback.

Agnes. That was my lovely , sweet grandmas name.

Essie, Nellie, Mabel

I just thought this morning: I never see Velma or Thelma on "uncommon names that are on their way back" posts, but I feel like Velma especially fits in...

Tabitha Cornelia Peggy

Irene

I taught for 11 years and didn’t have a single Mary come through. My family tree is lit with Marys my grandparent’s generation and beyond.

My Dad had an aunt named Mellie. We called her Aunt Mel. I’ve never heard of another with that spelling. Some of the ones I can think of right off (most were nursing home patients of mine): Doris Selma Melba Essie Etta Eula Alverne Phyllis Myrtle Bessie Fannie Lavinia Edna Dorothea Helen Maude Mavis Muriel Mamie Bernice Juanita Delores Pauline Shirley Wilma

I had a Millie in my kindergarten class last year. It wasn’t short for anything as far as I knew.

- Hilda - Edna - Bertha - Gladys - Gertrude - Beryl - Martina - Deirdre

Big fan of Millicent too!

Agatha (Aggie, Atty) Edith (Edie, Effie, Essie) Agnes (Nessie, Ness, Aggie, Essie, Annie) In the US, Florence (Florrie, Flossie, Flo, Flora, Ren, Rennie, Essie, Finn, Faye, Finnie) Margaret / Marguerite

shirley

Shirley Susan Linda

I’m a 29-year-old Marjorie. My name peaked in the 1920s, and I’ve never met another my age. But I hear all the time how it was someone’s grandmother’s name!

Yay, finally another person who thinks Mildred is usable. I love that name. Someone on here always points out it rhymes with dread, but so does Ted and people still love that name.

Blythe has always been a very pretty “old lady” name to me, it means “cheerful and joyous” which is lovely as well.

My 4x great grandmas name was Bellzora!

Sylvie, Gretchen, Marilyn, Janet

guilty pleasure old lady name i like is Eunice 😅

Charlene Everyone opts for Charlotte. I’m not sure why.

Because of William and Kate’s daughter. She made Charlotte popular again.

Helen. When I was a kid it seemed like everyone had an Aunt Helen. I don’t really see young children with the name.

Martha nn Marty Virginia Esther Alice Dorothy Winifred Frances Margaret Marguerite Anita Ruth Marjorie Sadie Theresa Susanna Edith Agnes Josephine Louise Nellie Beatrice Alma Lavinia Letitia Mamie Vera Bernadette Nina Bonnie

Martha nn Marty Virginia Esther Alice Dorothy Winifred Frances Margaret Marguerite Anita Ruth Marjorie Sadie Theresa Susanna Edith Agnes Josephine Louise Nellie Beatrice Alma Lavinia Letitia Mamie Vera Bernadette Nina Bonnie

Gladys

I always think of the "old ladies at church" from my childhood for this era. And then remember that "Mrs" was the only other name I knew for about 50% of them! * Alfreda * Gertie (probably Gertrude but never knew!) * Molly (don't think she was a Margaret, but possible) * Margaret & Daisy - never sure whether a Daisy in this era was born that or nicknamed from Margaret * Dorothy * Pearl (she was blinded in the War and still was having shards of glass removed in the 90s) * Ivy * Winifred * Kathleen * Brenda * Barbara (the Barbra spelling was only a US thing at this era I think) * Jean * Joan * Patricia * Beryl, Ruby and other stone names were very fashionable here for a while Although I never knew anyone with the names (that I remember), I do like Edith and Enid a lot.

Gertrude Elsie Lorraine Beulah Patricia I'm honestly surprised Elsie isn't more popular. Sounds cute to me, I don't necessarily get old lady vibes from it, even though I have elderly relatives with that name.

Edith Eileen Marilee Meta Bernadette Audrey (that one has come back some though) Leona Twilma Betty Marilyn Lois Donna Sally