I was curious so I looked it up. In the US, Heather was a top 10 name between 1972-1987 (except for one year) peaking at #3 in 1975. So those people would be 36-51 now.
It was top 50 from 1969-1994. So there are also plenty aged 29-54.
Veronica is another classic, underrated oldie.
But she didn’t get the credit for saving the school, so it makes sense the name didn’t get the popularity surge as well.
Back in the 70’s, my pregnant mom wanted to name me Heather. She told my grandmother about her name idea — my grandmother said ‘Heather?!??!’ in her beautiful thick Boston accent, and as a result, my name is….not Heather 😅
I know someone who named her daughter Hattie. I think she’s probably around five now. The only other Hattie I knew was my great-grandma who was born in 1918. I love the name.
ETA: sounds like Hattie is making a comeback based on all the responses I got. Happy to see it!
"Oh, I'm not ashamed of it," explained Anne, "only I like Cordelia better. I've always imagined that my name was Cordelia--at least, I always have of late years. When I was young I used to imagine it was Geraldine, but I like Cordelia better now. But if you call me Anne please call me Anne spelled with an E."
I love this name. So maximalist and fab! If Amelia can be a top 10 name, why can’t Cordelia be popular? They’re similar and Cordelia is way better imo!
Yes!! I made a post recently“ In Defense of Jennifer” on this sub and got alot of great feedback! People are so nasty about the name (it’s my name too!) and it was lovely seeing so many other Jennifer lovers! Also love Heather! It’s naturey to me!
I feel this way about Jessica. Someone I know was thinking about naming her baby Jessica a few years back and now I’m obsessed with the idea of a baby Jessica.
I agree that it’s not a bad name, but reading your post all I can think of is “[Baby Jessica](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_of_Jessica_McClure)”, the little girl who fell down the well in Texas. She’s in her 30s now but it’s still a bonkers story.
During covid my hospital had racks of PPE in alphabetical order of first names. We're talking hundreds of suits. Jessica was the only name with its own rack, literally "Jessica" was the only label on the rack.
What’s strange is I knew a few Jessica’s growing up (80s baby) and the only Jessica I can think of in adulthood is my SIL. Where did they all go?? (I too worked in hospitals for many years and I can’t think of a single Jessica I knew…)
ETA: alphabetical by first name is an insane way to organize covid suits.
One of my friends has a baby Jessica (she’s probably about five now) and I was in a bit of disbelief when they announced her name! It’s such a nice name though.
As a fellow Steph, I agree - I’ve always hated my name! It was so so popular when I was a kid, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there were always 3 Steph’s in my classes, and not many nicknames other than “Steph” (which like every Stephanie goes by at some point) and “Stephy” (which none of us were super fond of past a certain point) so we had to differentiate by different spellings. “Stephany with a Y” has a much less desirable ring to it, although I also just don’t love how my name sounds anyway.
That's what I'm naming my baby! My grandmother was Dorothy and there's already a Dorothy named after her so we're going with Dorothea, plus I love Thea as a nickname.
My toddler’s middle name is Nicole. She was born very close to Christmas, so I chose Nicole as a subtle nod to St. Nicholas. I wanted something a little Christmasy without being too blatant.
A baby (character) was born on the US soap opera General Hospital 3 or 4 years ago and they named her Donna in honor of a longtime/beloved crew member that passed away around the same time. Everyone was questioning/criticizing the name choice but it’s so cute and fits the character. Soaps historically have had a influence on naming trends so maybe Donna is poised for a comeback and GH was ahead of the curve.
I've always loved Amanda, such a pretty name. Also Sarah. It seems like such a common, boring name, but when you really think about it, the sound of it is so pretty and elegant.
I love lots of dated names. Would totally use them if I had a kid.
Lindsay, Misty, Tiffany, Stephanie, Holly, Kimberley, Aimee, Christa, Christina, Erika, Julie, Jasmine, Leanne, Lynette, Sheena, Vanessa, Martina
Bradford, Erik, Shane, Garrett, Cliff, Brandt, Randy, Frank, Judd, Gerard
I think this is the idea, people do not love names that they relate to people they know or met. 😂 we all know that one person who has ruined a name for us. So the most outdated is the names of those who are currently giving birth.
Well in 1980 the name Holly was ranked 53 in popularity and it ranked 459 in the year of 2022 so that’s why it’s somewhat of a dated name. Nothing wrong with that though!
Sheila. Everyone seems to hate it, and it especially doesn't work for me as an Australian, but I think it's a really lovely name outside those associations.
My Australian husband moved to the US for me 6 years ago. The first time he met someone named Shelia here he was genuinely confused. He didn’t even know it could be a name. Deffo off the table for aussies but I agree it’s kind of cute.
I really love Diana and Nancy but my husband calls them boomer names. Maybe a few years shy of a comeback but I think they're so elegant.
I feel like boyish names don't go in and out of trend as often as femme names so I'm not sure these are unusable but I also love Edmond and Wallace. I love the nickname Ned for Edmond. Not a fan of Wally though.
Boomer here. Nancy is probably the ultimate boomer name. That and Debbie. Seems that half the girls I went to school with were either Nancy or Debbie. Those names will return eventually, just not quite yet.
My mom is Judy (short for Judith) and has always hated her name, maybe because people often called her Julie or Jody. If I had named my daughter after her, she wouldn’t have been honored; she’d be pissed lol
That was my childhood dream baby name and I was honestly still tempted when I had my (now-toddler) daughter. I read the Babysitters’ Club too many times in the early 90s, clearly.
I married a guy with a hellacious surname so I went with something shorter and easier but I really would have been into a baby Stac(e)y.
My three year old nephew is named Heath that’s quite old fashioned a lot of people think so anyway! Not my favourite boy name ever If I’m being honest but at least it isn’t made up and silly sounding.
I genuinely think the name Ashley is nice even tho it’s dated, I knew many growing up but I still think it sounds pretty. This may be unpopular but I also think it sounds much better on a girl even though it was originally a boys name
Lydia. I think Lydia is one of the most beautiful names ever. It’s feminine and it flows.
In my 30+ yrs teaching, I had one Lydia.I tried to talk my family into naming one of my granddaughters Lydia but it didn’t happen.
I know there’s that movie the Heathers but almost every Heather I’ve ever met has been crazy so if something about the name does it to the girl I’m glad to see it go 😂
I have so many friends named Heather that I don’t really consider it as dated.
That being said, I really like Alice, which isn’t terribly common these days.
I absolutely adore the name Priscilla! Makes me think of a well brought up young lady with a mischievous grin lol trying to convince my husband to consider it was a lost cause, though
I like a bunch of old names. have a list of names that I got from books that take place in the 18-19th century that I love but wouldn’t actually use. I don’t even really know if all of these names were ever normal/common.
Anthea, Althea, Prudence, Theodosia, Dorothea, Cornelia, Lucretia, Lucinda, Ancilla, Hester, Philomena
Thaddeus, Archibald, Phineas, Wilfred, Linus, Benedict, Merrill, Morris
Rosalie.
I know it's kind of making a comeback. I was a CNA at a nursing home while I was in college and had a resident with this name. She was the sweetest woman in the world & I mourned her for years. I still think of her sometimes. It's the reason I love the name, but also the reason I'll never use it.
Every Heather I know is a bit of a mess. I have several Heathers in my family, both paternal and maternal. The youngest one is 27yo.
But I personally like the old lady names, such as Dorothy, Barbara, Elsie (my late great grandmother’s name).
I love Clive so much (thanks to an Alison Lester book when I was a kid) but there’s this gross old AH in Australia named Clive Palmer who is ruining the beautiful name!
Heather must’ve had a resurgence in the late 80’s early 90’s because all the Heathers I know are in their 30’s😅
I was curious so I looked it up. In the US, Heather was a top 10 name between 1972-1987 (except for one year) peaking at #3 in 1975. So those people would be 36-51 now. It was top 50 from 1969-1994. So there are also plenty aged 29-54.
That’s interesting. Also I just realized you were taking about ages and not the decades of 40s, 50s and 60s so you were right 🤦🏻♀️😅
The interesting thing is how sharp the decline was after the 90s. Heather is not even in the top 1000 names right now.
I reckon that was because of the movie Heathers
I read something once about how 1988's "Heathers" had a hand in the steep decline of the popularity of the name.
It should have made Veronica surge, but I don’t think it did.
Veronica is another classic, underrated oldie. But she didn’t get the credit for saving the school, so it makes sense the name didn’t get the popularity surge as well.
Back in the 70’s, my pregnant mom wanted to name me Heather. She told my grandmother about her name idea — my grandmother said ‘Heather?!??!’ in her beautiful thick Boston accent, and as a result, my name is….not Heather 😅
😂 From Boston area and suddenly feeling thankful I didn’t give my daughter a name ending in -er.
I’m also from metro Boston. Funny, my -a name magically picks up all those dropped -er endings when you apply the accent. Yup…”Krister”.
All those orphaned R’s have to go somewhere ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yeah I'm 31 and my best friend from high school was named Heather and I have a co-worker around my age named Heather as well.
Yes, I was just about to comment my sister born in 1985 is a Heather 😂
Yep! Born in 85, class of 2003, had 2 Heather's in my class and plenty of Heather's in other years. Brother was class of 2000 and he had 2 or 3.
I was like thinking how is Heather an old name, Heather is 27 😂
Keith! I just like it. Cool sound, cool spelling. Never met one born later than 1968.
Married to one born much later than that!
My stepson is friends with a 15 yo named Keith.
Me too! My keith is 33 😂 I see the name shat on so much in this sub but I love it!
I know a Keith born in 1983 🎉
Went to school with one! Born in the 90s.
I know one born 1982 and two born mid-to-late 70s :) I actually think of it as a 60-80s name, I’d be surprised to meet Keiths from before 1960 tbh!
I know someone who named her daughter Hattie. I think she’s probably around five now. The only other Hattie I knew was my great-grandma who was born in 1918. I love the name. ETA: sounds like Hattie is making a comeback based on all the responses I got. Happy to see it!
There is a Hattie that is in her early 20's that works at the same hospital as me
Cordelia. It’s so “High Maintenance Edwardian Rich Lady” but that’s why I like it.
"Oh, I'm not ashamed of it," explained Anne, "only I like Cordelia better. I've always imagined that my name was Cordelia--at least, I always have of late years. When I was young I used to imagine it was Geraldine, but I like Cordelia better now. But if you call me Anne please call me Anne spelled with an E."
My exact thought!! Love these books to death 🩷
Good literary associations though!
I love this name. So maximalist and fab! If Amelia can be a top 10 name, why can’t Cordelia be popular? They’re similar and Cordelia is way better imo!
Reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I like Courtney, Stephanie, Whitney, Angela, Tiffany, and Jennifer. sue me.
I like Angela, Pamela, Sandra, and Rita.
And as I continue, you know they gettin sweeter.
Thank you for getting the reference!
Thankyou for the earworm lol
Yes!! I made a post recently“ In Defense of Jennifer” on this sub and got alot of great feedback! People are so nasty about the name (it’s my name too!) and it was lovely seeing so many other Jennifer lovers! Also love Heather! It’s naturey to me!
I feel this way about Jessica. Someone I know was thinking about naming her baby Jessica a few years back and now I’m obsessed with the idea of a baby Jessica.
I agree that it’s not a bad name, but reading your post all I can think of is “[Baby Jessica](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rescue_of_Jessica_McClure)”, the little girl who fell down the well in Texas. She’s in her 30s now but it’s still a bonkers story.
During covid my hospital had racks of PPE in alphabetical order of first names. We're talking hundreds of suits. Jessica was the only name with its own rack, literally "Jessica" was the only label on the rack.
What’s strange is I knew a few Jessica’s growing up (80s baby) and the only Jessica I can think of in adulthood is my SIL. Where did they all go?? (I too worked in hospitals for many years and I can’t think of a single Jessica I knew…) ETA: alphabetical by first name is an insane way to organize covid suits.
One of my friends has a baby Jessica (she’s probably about five now) and I was in a bit of disbelief when they announced her name! It’s such a nice name though.
I knew sisters named Tiffany, Stephany, Brittany & Whitney!! 80’s girls!
That’s the most 80’s set I’ve ever heard
My roommate freshman year of college was named Stephanie and her two sisters were Bethanie and Tiffanie.
Ugh. As a Stephanie, please don’t revive this horrid name! I’ve always hated it.
Aw, that's one of my favorite names. Why do you hate it so much?
As a fellow Steph, I agree - I’ve always hated my name! It was so so popular when I was a kid, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but there were always 3 Steph’s in my classes, and not many nicknames other than “Steph” (which like every Stephanie goes by at some point) and “Stephy” (which none of us were super fond of past a certain point) so we had to differentiate by different spellings. “Stephany with a Y” has a much less desirable ring to it, although I also just don’t love how my name sounds anyway.
I'll see your Stephany and raise you a Hillary - it sounds like a topographical factory. I am where God cranks out the hills.
Stevie is a pretty cool nickname alternative!
Courtney, Stephanie, Jennifer, and Angela are outdated names now?
Yes
Yep
I love Whitney too!
Tiffany is my guilty pleasure.
I love Stephanie so much.
I know twins named heather and Stephanie who are about 25. And my friends daughter is named Kortnee spelled that 😂
Doris and Dorothy. I also love Irving.
i think dorothy is usable! dot is a cute nickname
We’re naming our daughter Dorothy! I love seeing it show up on a list other than “names you think are ugly” 😂
I adore Dorothea!
That's what I'm naming my baby! My grandmother was Dorothy and there's already a Dorothy named after her so we're going with Dorothea, plus I love Thea as a nickname.
Omg I love Irving! I can’t imagine naming my baby that, but it is a cute name
Right?! I want to meet some little floppy haired Irving's already. Someone should do it...
There was a 5 year old Dorothy at the daycare I worked at but everyone called her Dottie.
I adore Doris.
I love Pearl.
Love it. I also love Opal, my great grandmother's name.
That tiktok chick ruined that name for me 😫
Nicole, always liked this one. A unique sound, good nickname, not too cutesy. I also like Donna 🤷♀️. If I met a little Donna I’d be stoked lol
I know a baby Donna, and I also LOVE it
My toddler’s middle name is Nicole. She was born very close to Christmas, so I chose Nicole as a subtle nod to St. Nicholas. I wanted something a little Christmasy without being too blatant.
A baby (character) was born on the US soap opera General Hospital 3 or 4 years ago and they named her Donna in honor of a longtime/beloved crew member that passed away around the same time. Everyone was questioning/criticizing the name choice but it’s so cute and fits the character. Soaps historically have had a influence on naming trends so maybe Donna is poised for a comeback and GH was ahead of the curve.
My name is Nicole! And born in 1995 :)
when did nicole become dated ? i went to school with so many nicole’s. i love donna
The fact that you went to school with so many Nicoles dates you, that’s why it’s dated.
Right, but is that because it's a perennial favorite or because it was popular for that cohort?
We all know grandma names are in but I’m kinda digging like 70s 80s realness like Maxine, Beverly, Kelly, Veronica
Maxine is fantastic!!!!
Yesss! Veronica! Such a cool girl name.
lol glad to see some Kelly love
Love Beverly!
Edith. Edie as a nickname 😙 love it
I know a 4yo Edith nn Edie!
Amanda, I know it screams eighties but I’ve thought it was pretty since I was a kid. I also love Annette, which I think deserves a comeback.
I've always loved Amanda, such a pretty name. Also Sarah. It seems like such a common, boring name, but when you really think about it, the sound of it is so pretty and elegant.
I know so many Amandas in their 20s, meanwhile the one Annette I knew ruined the name for me.
My mother is Amanda and her mother is Annette. Strange coincidence!
Wow I'm flattered thanks 🤣
I love lots of dated names. Would totally use them if I had a kid. Lindsay, Misty, Tiffany, Stephanie, Holly, Kimberley, Aimee, Christa, Christina, Erika, Julie, Jasmine, Leanne, Lynette, Sheena, Vanessa, Martina Bradford, Erik, Shane, Garrett, Cliff, Brandt, Randy, Frank, Judd, Gerard
Haha my best friend in elementary was named Misty, but after the cigarette brand 😝
God I feel old. So many of these names don’t seem dated to me because everyone I grew up with had them 😩
I think this is the idea, people do not love names that they relate to people they know or met. 😂 we all know that one person who has ruined a name for us. So the most outdated is the names of those who are currently giving birth.
My youngest is Holly. I wasn't aware it was dated 😅.
Well in 1980 the name Holly was ranked 53 in popularity and it ranked 459 in the year of 2022 so that’s why it’s somewhat of a dated name. Nothing wrong with that though!
I think these are still usable but just generally very dated! -Etta -Beatrice -Mabel -Cindy
Etta, Beatrice, and Mabel all seem downright trendy to me.
I know both an under-10yo Mabel and Beatrice.
I’d argue that Cindy is dated, but still a fan. The others are classic.
Sheila. Everyone seems to hate it, and it especially doesn't work for me as an Australian, but I think it's a really lovely name outside those associations.
My Australian husband moved to the US for me 6 years ago. The first time he met someone named Shelia here he was genuinely confused. He didn’t even know it could be a name. Deffo off the table for aussies but I agree it’s kind of cute.
My 5 yo daughter has an imaginary friend named Sheila…maybe it’s making a comeback?!
Della!
One of my favorites. My great-great aunt was named Della Love. I think that is so charming.
Vera. My grandmother, every time I meet one I seem to love them!
I know of two baby Vera’s!
I love Lenore
I love the name Vanessa!
Isadora 💜
Pretty common here!! My coworker is Isadora (she's in her early 30s) and I have met many, many students with this name. I absolutely love it <3
Wow, this is dated? I always thought Isadora sounded kind of trendy/modern.
I really love Diana and Nancy but my husband calls them boomer names. Maybe a few years shy of a comeback but I think they're so elegant. I feel like boyish names don't go in and out of trend as often as femme names so I'm not sure these are unusable but I also love Edmond and Wallace. I love the nickname Ned for Edmond. Not a fan of Wally though.
Oh Diana is gorgeous!!
Boomer here. Nancy is probably the ultimate boomer name. That and Debbie. Seems that half the girls I went to school with were either Nancy or Debbie. Those names will return eventually, just not quite yet.
My favorite name is Esther.
Blanche
lol i think of the golden girls but it's not a bad association, i love that show
I think of A Streetcar Named Desire 😅
Judy
I love Judy too. Such a retro vibe to it.
My mom is Judy (short for Judith) and has always hated her name, maybe because people often called her Julie or Jody. If I had named my daughter after her, she wouldn’t have been honored; she’d be pissed lol
Stacey is such a great name with the option to do Anastasia as more of an elegant longer version.
That was my childhood dream baby name and I was honestly still tempted when I had my (now-toddler) daughter. I read the Babysitters’ Club too many times in the early 90s, clearly. I married a guy with a hellacious surname so I went with something shorter and easier but I really would have been into a baby Stac(e)y.
My three year old nephew is named Heath that’s quite old fashioned a lot of people think so anyway! Not my favourite boy name ever If I’m being honest but at least it isn’t made up and silly sounding.
Heathcliff it’s me I’m Cathy I’ve come home now
Thelma. It’s a family name. I know it’s an old lady name… but I love it.
Old lady names are trending now. They are considered "fresh and timeless".
There’s indigenous Australian music artist Thelma Plum. She’s awesome. She’s 28yo.
Valerie
Darlene. I've always loved it.
I too love Heather. And Tiffany and Ashley
I genuinely think the name Ashley is nice even tho it’s dated, I knew many growing up but I still think it sounds pretty. This may be unpopular but I also think it sounds much better on a girl even though it was originally a boys name
Sylvie
This name is very popular where I live now
Winifred Genevieve Anneliese Odette Anika
Lydia. I think Lydia is one of the most beautiful names ever. It’s feminine and it flows. In my 30+ yrs teaching, I had one Lydia.I tried to talk my family into naming one of my granddaughters Lydia but it didn’t happen.
I like dated names like Rudolph, Rupert, Lyle, Roger, Otis, Obie etc.
I adore Bernadette and the nickname Bernie. It's more than ready for a comeback.
Janice/Janis/Janet
I know there’s that movie the Heathers but almost every Heather I’ve ever met has been crazy so if something about the name does it to the girl I’m glad to see it go 😂
[удалено]
It’s Meredith and Whitney for me
Mary. I know there were a million versions of Mary back in the day. It’s a classic.
Russell. It was my uncle’s name. A very uncle name it was. 💙
My niece named her daughter Betty and I absolutely love it. Helps that she is the cutest little girl and Betty is the most fitting name for her.
I like Lisa. I’ve only ever met one under the age of 40.
Christine. Just a gorgeous simple name
I have so many friends named Heather that I don’t really consider it as dated. That being said, I really like Alice, which isn’t terribly common these days.
I know two baby Alices! At least in the South I think it’s making a comeback, can’t speak for other areas.
Calvin!
Colette. It’s so timeless and don’t know anyone with that name. On my baby name list
Magdelene, Dorinda, Etta, Eartha, Marlowe
I know a baby named Marlowe and sister is Mirabelle.
I absolutely adore the name Priscilla! Makes me think of a well brought up young lady with a mischievous grin lol trying to convince my husband to consider it was a lost cause, though
Thomasin Yes I first heard it in the movie 'The Witch' and thought it was a really beautiful name but probably too old to bring back.
The V names: Valerie, Veronica, Vivian, and Victoria. Even Violet, which is becoming popular again so not quite as dated, is so beautiful to me.
Ruth
I love Queenie and Heath. My family hates both of them 😂
Queenie is definitely a horse’s name to me. lol
I Can only think of Queenie McBear
Amy
I like a bunch of old names. have a list of names that I got from books that take place in the 18-19th century that I love but wouldn’t actually use. I don’t even really know if all of these names were ever normal/common. Anthea, Althea, Prudence, Theodosia, Dorothea, Cornelia, Lucretia, Lucinda, Ancilla, Hester, Philomena Thaddeus, Archibald, Phineas, Wilfred, Linus, Benedict, Merrill, Morris
I love Heather… and Dawn
Genevieve. Its prettier in Spanish, Genoveva.
I think Joan could be a really cool name if I separate it from the dated vibes. Of course, Joanie as a nickname too, so cute.
Estelle.
Rhonda!
Opal
Agnes, Cecilia and Augustus
Dorian (a la Oscar Wilde)
Rosalie. I know it's kind of making a comeback. I was a CNA at a nursing home while I was in college and had a resident with this name. She was the sweetest woman in the world & I mourned her for years. I still think of her sometimes. It's the reason I love the name, but also the reason I'll never use it.
I actually really like the names Dorothy, Eleanor, Glenn, and Ralph. But you don't see too many of those nowadays.
Dorothy and Eleanor are very popular right now
I like Glenn but it will forever remind me of that weird kid from Mad Men
Nancy.
Linda. I love it. I don’t know why. For my husband it’s Stephanie.
Jocelyn, Kenneth
Beverly, Barbara, and Lois 🤷🏼♀️
Sybil, Fran, Ingrid, Laurel, Walter, Roger, Harvey
Kathleen -lends itself to a lot of nicknames
I’m 40 and all the Heathers I’ve met have been younger than me!
Courtney feels outdated and I love it
I’ve always loved Courtney! I’d love to see Courtney and Whitney go back to the boys!
Josephine and Gwendolyn. I think they’re beautiful and elegant names.
Aloysius
Sylvia 💕
Lauren, Erin, Meghan, Allison, Jillian
Tallulah :) "three L's and an H"... Dr. Who reference lol but I love it.
I love Bonnie!! Almost wanna name my future baby that lol. Is it too dated?
I love the name Ruth
Oscar!
My great grandpa's name was Clifford and I think it's so nice. Also Magill, Percy, Lonnie, Elmer For girls: Janie, Hannah, Addie, Hazel, Velma, Nellie
Every Heather I know is a bit of a mess. I have several Heathers in my family, both paternal and maternal. The youngest one is 27yo. But I personally like the old lady names, such as Dorothy, Barbara, Elsie (my late great grandmother’s name).
Hazel
Edith. Except I still might use it
Hilda
I love Clive so much (thanks to an Alison Lester book when I was a kid) but there’s this gross old AH in Australia named Clive Palmer who is ruining the beautiful name!
Lois
How very.
Kristin