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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      2520 days ago

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

    • Flying Squid
      link
      fedilink
      419 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.

    • @dufkm@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      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.

    • Admiral PatrickOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      3
      edit-2
      21 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.

    • @taiyang@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      920 days ago

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

      • @proudblond@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      721 days ago

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

  • all-knight-party
    link
    fedilink
    1721 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.

    • Admiral PatrickOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      921 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
        link
        fedilink
        221 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.

    • edric
      link
      fedilink
      921 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
        link
        fedilink
        -120 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.

    • Bizzle
      link
      fedilink
      English
      420 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      521 days ago

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

    • Nuggsy
      link
      fedilink
      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
      link
      fedilink
      119 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.

    • @AA5B@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      119 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

    • Admiral PatrickOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      421 days ago

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

      • 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
          link
          fedilink
          English
          120 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

  • Vanth
    link
    fedilink
    English
    14
    edit-2
    21 days ago

    I have a relative named Agnes in her early twenties. Don’t do it. I find the Texas A&M jokes to be unbearable and I’m sure I hear less than 10% of what she hears

    Mildred, Evelyn, Opal all names of my aunts +3 generations older than mine. Also try Betty as a diminutive for Elizabeth, Gerald, Hank, Errol, Mabel, Jerome, and Cordelia. These all scream white Midwestern US farmer to me.

    Errol is most likely to have gotten into a bit of trouble and really seen the world when he was drafted for WWII.

    • @otp@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      721 days ago

      Also try Betty as a diminutive for Elizabeth, Gerald, Hank, Errol, Mabel, Jerome, and Cordelia.

      Why is Betty a diminutive of Gerald and Hank? (Among others)

    • @Typhoonigator@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      421 days ago

      Sorry, I don’t understand the connection between Agnes and Texas A & M. I did a quick search, which was less than useful. Can you explain?