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.
Archimedes
Evelyn as a man’s name, if you want to be really old school.
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.
Balthazar 🤌
It’s one of magi!
On that note, Melchior would make for a metal af middle name.
Bort
Bartholomew
Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve ever known a “Bart” IRL.
But a lot of people named Bort, I assume?
The name Ea-nāṣir is about 4000 years overdue for a comeback.
Actually had a friend in highschool with that name
I heard he’s in jail for stealing copper.
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
Orpheus, Raphael, Hepaestus, Karlach, Orin, Sylvanus, William, …
oops
Perhaps not as old as requested but
Ronald, Marianne, Cynthia, Evangeline, Melinda, Caesar, Magdalena, Betty, Rosetta, Balthazar, Thadeus, Lazarus, Otto, Bartholomew, Miranda
I went to school with most of the names on that list. Not picking on you, just feeling old. 😆
Haha yeah, I did worry that would happen! Just to clarify I definitely don’t think they were ‘old-timey’, I just haven’t personally seen them around in new generations for some time…
Galahad
Eleanor
Emeline
Emeric
Lancelot
Siegfried
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.
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.
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?
Gaylord
Itzcoatl
Axayacatl
Axochitl
Those are prescription only
Vivien / Vyvien
Modern version would be Vyvyyn.
Everett
True…
Any common ancient Roman name. Not enough “imuses” or “cleses” suffixing names.
Kolanakimus Huskerclese
A classics professor goes to a tailor to get his trousers mended.
The tailor asks: “Euripides?”
The professor replies: “Yes. Eumenides?”Was playing Trivial Pursuit with family one time, classics question came up. My brother replied “Pericles”. His 10-yo daughter said “Wrong!” He knew he was right & demanded the “correct” answer.
“Testicles.” Pronounced to rhyme with Pericles. It was the answer to another question on the card - What is removed from a horse to make it a gelding?
The poor child. Her face as we all screamed laughing. “What?!?”
A lot of people these days seem to think that “Adolf” should come back.
I am not one of those people.
