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.
Bort
Thaddeus, Ulysses, etc. I liked that people used to name their kids after figures of the ancient world.
Balthazar 🤌
I actually went to school with a Balthazar.
His parents were hippies in the 60s and never stopped being hippies.
It’s one of magi!
On that note, Melchior would make for a metal af middle name.
Agamemnon
Clytemnestra
Doesn’t get more classic than that
I must be in a weird spot because I know 3 different Evelyns under the age of 8.
Yeah, I noted that one as the oddball. Based on replies here, it’s definitely a regional difference. In my area, it’s all but extinct under the age of 60.
It’s definitely just those kids and super old folks, I don’t really know any in-between
The name Ea-nāṣir is about 4000 years overdue for a comeback.
When you have bad copper you deserve to be forgotten!
What about Enkidu?
tfw you have to join culture because the sex is too good
Actually had a friend in highschool with that name
I heard he’s in jail for stealing copper.
I’ve always liked the name Ruben for some reason and only ever known one that I can recall (whose brother was called Robin).
I also am partial to Ezekiel and they can have Zeke as a nickname which I think sounds pretty rad.
Trollip
Archimedes
Galahad
Eleanor
Emeline
Emeric
Lancelot
Siegfried
You definitely don’t see many people named Lance, but back in the day people were named Lancelot.
Lancel is so hot right now.
More wine, Your Grace?
Lance Armstrong kinda killed it with all his cheating.
Lance Bass might not have done it many favors either.
Underrated pun
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.
Artherial legend. Nice.
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.
Everett
True…
Agnes, Agatha, Germaine and Jack.
I saw Jack, and I thought that’s pretty common, then realized I’ve never met a single Jack.
I also hope somewhere in the world there’s a gay couple named Jack and Dick.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_(given_name)
I know a few Jacks (and a Jaques and 2 Jacobs) and, according to that wiki page, my experience is typical.
Do you know which Jack is your favourite? You should have a contest determine your favourite Jack. A Jack-Off, if you will.
Jack was Biz Markie’s only young friend
Hiram.
Thurl (as in Ravenscroft.)
I’m fond of “Gwendolyn” but I’ve never met or even known of one, to my knowledge.
Oh! I thought of one, Gwendolyn Christie.
I’ve seen it once, although more recently met a Genevieve which feels even rarer and just as pretty.
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?
I knew a Gwen in college, but it wasn’t short for Gwendolyn. Just “Gwen”.
My best friends kid is named Guinevere, is that archaic enough to fit?
I’ve heard a Welsh musician called Gwennifer.
I think Jennifer, Guinevere are all probably similar just different languages.
