That's an Oldie!
Quick: would you rather be named Mildred or Jessica? What about Gertrude versus Emma? Gerald or Justin? Chances are, you'd probably pick the former names in all three examples—that is, unless you prefer the oldies. You might not realize it, but names trend just like clothing and music, which means something that was once popular can now sound extremely outdated (and dare we say ancient). If your name is on the list, sorry in advance.
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1. Mildred
Mildred has such a strong connection to the early 20th century that meeting a young Mildred today can be fairly surprising. It was once an extremely familiar choice—but that was in the first few decades of the 1900s. The nickname Millie might feel more current, but the full name still sounds old-fashioned.
2. Gary
There was a time when you'd hear the name Gary everywhere, but current generations don't seem to share the same enthusiasm. In fact, it's a pretty unmistakable Baby Boomer name. You might know several Garys, but chances are relatively few of them are children.
3. Ethel
While Ethel was a popular name in the early decades of the 20th century, it later became closely associated with grandmothers and great-grandmothers as parents shifted to trendier picks. Nostalgia and vintage naming trends could eventually bring it back, but for now, Ethel is in the oldie box.
4. Ronald
You probably know a Ronald. Heck, you might know several. But how many of them are children or teens? These days, you're far more likely to hear "Ron" or "Ronnie" instead of the actual, much more retro name Ronald.
5. Phyllis
Phyllis once ranked among mainstream American girls' names, yet its popularity has since dropped off. It's easy to see why: unlike several other vintage choices that have enjoyed fashionable revivals, Phyllis just carries an older-generation feel.
6. Gerald
Okay, we lied. If you think Gary sounds like a relic, Gerald sounds even more medieval. Sure, nicknames like Gerry (or Jerry) can soften it somewhat, but the full version still retains the unmistakable character of a name that's already had its run.
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7. Barbara
Barbara was once enormously popular, which explains why you'd likely have an aunt, mother, or grandmother with the name. Its dominance during the '50s and '60s also means it became closely linked with the women who grew up during that period. Younger Barbaras certainly exist, but they definitely don't sound youthful.
8. Clarence
Clarence has a distinctly traditional ring to it, doesn't it? Well, considering it was already losing ground by the time many other names on this list were reaching their peaks, it sounds even older than the ones we've already covered. Sorry to all Clarences out there.
9. Gladys
Gladys enjoyed considerable popularity generations ago, and it certainly has vintage charm. That said, nobody is going to name their baby Gladys, so we'll just rip the band-aid off. It might suit a jolly grandmother, but you'd probably do a double-take at a young girl named Gladys.
10. Donald
Like Ronald, the era for Donald has long since ended. Don and Donnie still turn up, of course, just like Ron and Ronnie still do—but Donald, the full name, now carries a noticeably older demographic profile than it once did.
11. Doris
When was the last time you heard someone named Doris? We'll take a guess: some 40 years ago? Similar to most names on this list, it rose rapidly during the first half of the 20th century and then fell off just as dramatically, leaving relatively few younger people carrying it today.
12. Eugene
Though Eugene has never completely vanished, it still rarely appears among the names today's parents pick. You could always go for Gene, which makes it shorter and sound less formal, but both versions retain strong associations with men born several decades ago.
13. Shirley
Shirley was once extraordinarily fashionable, and honestly, it's one of the names you'll actually still see in baby lists. Still, its popularity has declined gradually over the years, meaning young Shirleys are now comparatively rare.
14. Norman
Norman enjoyed its strongest years long ago, which means many of the Normans you encounter today belong to older generations. The nickname "Norm" can make it more casual, but it certainly still isn't a normie, and sadly more of an oldie.
15. Bernice
Bernice isn't merely old-fashioned. In fact, it belongs to a category of names that peaked so long ago that even grandparents today may consider it dated! If it's already deemed uncool by grandmas and grandpas of the current generation, that's reason enough to leave it in the past.
16. Walter
Walter is an interesting one: it's old enough to feel vintage but familiar enough that nearly everyone knows one. Even then, at least for much of recent history, Walters tend to be older men. While the name has attracted some renewed interest, it still isn't likely to make anyone assume you're fresh out of high school.
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17. Marjorie
Marjorie has an elegant history, but there's no disguising how old-fashioned it is. Now less common among newborns, you might still see nicknames such as Marge and Margie pop up, though they carry plenty of vintage associations of their own.
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18. Harold
Yes, yes, we know: Harry Styles might be enough to show you that the name Harold is still fairly relevant, but there's no denying that its biggest years are well behind it. After all, being named Harry is one thing; being called Harold is a completely different thing.
19. Gertrude
If Gladys and Mildred sounded old, Gertrude is even older. "Gertie" may have the sort of playful sound that could theoretically appeal to modern parents, but the full name remains rare nowadays. Young Gertrudes probably face a considerable amount of teasing.
20. Herbert
Herbert, Herb, Herbie—no matter how you spin it, it's not a young-sounding name. And unfortunately, Herbert will only continue sinking in popularity until someone deliberately names their child something severely outdated.
