What Happened to These Names?
Names can tell you a surprising amount about the era someone was born in. Some names that were everywhere a century ago have gradually fallen out of fashion, leaving behind a collection of names you might recognize from old family trees but rarely hear on a playground today. Trends change, and parents who once loved these names eventually started looking for something that felt newer.
1. Gertrude
This was a very popular name in America during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Now, it's usually considered an older person's name. You probably won't come across too many young women with this name. Gertrude's nickname of Gertie may be a better option, but it's also somewhat unusual.
2. Mildred
Another American girl's name that peaked in popularity in the early 1900s. Since then, the name has seen a great decline. Like many names on this list, it seems quite old-fashioned when you compare it to all the short, trendy names that kids have these days.
3. Ethel
Ethel was another American girl's name that peaked in the early 1900s. Similar to the other names mentioned, Ethel now gives off an older person's vibe. Which is ironic because the name used to be very popular.
4. Agnes
This name has been around for a very long time. It used to be popular in the United States but has declined in recent years. Not to say that it's gone completely, just less common than before.
5. Bertha
Similar to some of the other names on this list, Bertha was once very popular. It eventually became associated so strongly with older generations that new parents largely stopped choosing it. These days, Bertha can sound surprisingly unusual, despite the fact that it was once a perfectly ordinary name.
6. Edna
During the early 1900s, Edna was very popular in America. But like most names, it started to lose popularity as the years went by. Now, you'll probably only hear of it if you're talking to your grandparents or someone older.
7. Myrtle
Myrtle was once a popular girl's name in America, especially around the turn of the 20th century. Its popularity has dropped so much that it now feels distinctly old-fashioned to many people. Interestingly, Myrtle was also the name of a flowering evergreen shrub, giving the name a connection to nature that modern parents might find appealing.
8. Doris
The name Doris used to be extremely popular in the US. But after a while, the trend died down and we don't see it as often on babies these days. Most people will think of someone older when they hear the name Doris.
9. Wilma
Wilma was very popular in the early 1900s but has decreased in popularity since then. Many people today recognize it immediately because of its appearance in The Flintstones, even if they don't personally know anyone named Wilma. The name is still perfectly usable, but you'd certainly expect a Wilma to stand out in a modern classroom.
10. Gladys
Once again, another girl's name that used to be popular in America. The trend of naming girls Gladys started to die out after a while, and we don't see it on babies today. Today, Gladys has such a strong vintage identity that it can feel surprising to encounter someone young who has it.
11. Blanche
Blanche was another name that used to be popular in America around the late 1800s to early 1900s. The name has fallen out of fashion and is only really seen on TV and in movies. Its French origin and meaning related to "white" give it a distinctive history that isn't immediately obvious from its current rarity.
12. Clarence
Clarence was once a popular boy's name in the United States, particularly around the turn of the 20th century. It has since experienced a major decline and is now rarely encountered among younger Americans. You may still recognize it from older movies, books, or family records, where it appears much more frequently.
13. Earl
Another name that was popular in the US around the early 1900s. The word is still commonly used, but as a first name, it's not as common. So, it would be rare to find a young Earl.
14. Herbert
This was a very popular American boy's name back in the day. It has since lost its popularity, and people think of Herbert as an older name. There are nicknames for Herbert, such as Bert and Herbie, but those haven't brought the name back.
15. Chester
Chester was once a familiar American first name, with its popularity peaking around the early 1900s. It has declined considerably since then, although it occasionally gets a second life through fictional characters or pets. There was a time when meeting a Chester wouldn't have seemed unusual at all, which makes its current rarity interesting.
16. Ernest
Another American boy's name that used to be very popular. We don't see it as much on babies these days, but it's not a name that people aren't familiar with. Ernest Hemingway has also kept the name firmly connected to American cultural history, giving it a familiarity that doesn't match its current level of use.
17. Clyde
The name Clyde used to be popular on American boys. But it's lost its popularity over the years. You may associate it with historical figures or fictional characters before you think of someone you know personally.
18. Elmer
Elmer was a common boy's name in America around the late 1800s to early 1900s. The name has become less popular and is probably only found on old family trees. Elmer's glue has also allowed people to remember this name.
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19. Percy
Percy was once a well-established name for boys, particularly among generations born in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It became considerably less common as naming fashions changed, although fictional characters have helped keep it recognizable. Today, Percy can sound charmingly old-fashioned without being completely unfamiliar.
20. Irving
Irving was once a reasonably common American boy's name, particularly during the first half of the 20th century. Its popularity has declined considerably, and it's now much more likely to appear in a genealogy search than on a modern class roster. The name's history is still easy to trace, but its disappearance from everyday use shows just how quickly naming preferences can change.
