Vintage Names

1. Blanche
2. Myrtle
3. Ethel
4. Barbara
5. Mildred
6. Agatha
7. Phyllis
8. Beatrice
9. Marge
10. Ruth
11. Gretchen
12. Gertrude
13. Martha
14. Opal
15. Rose
16. Eleanor
17. Marlene
18. Gladys
19. Josephine
20. Ilene

I don't like most of these names for girls (above) and let's add to the list of outdated unattractive names: Bertha, Ethel, and Mabel...  On the other hand, if I had daughters I might give them old-fashioned names - like Phyllis, Opal, Marlene, and Eleanor - these particular names have a certain distinction about them. For example, Phyllis is sort of hipster, Opal is ethereal, Marlene is strong, and Eleanor sounds like the name of a novelist. Ilene is cool, too.

Okay, here it is: the list of the most popular female names as of May 2012, based upon Social Security Administration:

1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha
18. Avery
19. Sofia
20. Aubrey

Interesting that these names (above) are sweeter and a bit lighter, yet many are vintage names.  So... Rose is out and Lily is in... Agatha is out and Avery is in...  Notice the numerous names that end in the feminine "a" or "ia"... or in "y" or "ie" (14 out of 20 to be exact). The names that do not end in the "a" have the "a" sound incorporated: Madison, Addison, Elizabeth, Grace. And notice the absence of "er" sounds or other "rrr" sounds. 

Okay, now let's look at male names that are headed for extinction:

1. Walter
2. Percy
3. Norman
4. Herald
5. Ernest
6. Herbert
7. Clifford
8. Frank
9. Arnold 
10. Leonard
11. Alfred
12. Abraham
13. Jeremiah
14. Augustus
15. Ignacius
16. Emmet
17. Nathaniel
18. Mortimus
19. Frederick
20. Wilbur

Let's add Humphrey, Herman, Julius, Waldo, and Eugene. But, shortened names like Wally, Gene, Harry, Clif, Leo, Abe, and Arnie are popular; as is Nath instead of Nathaniel.  Maybe this is similar to the female names in that the shortened versions are younger and friendlier than their old fashioned versions. If I were to have many sons with vintage names i would be outrageous by naming them Ignacius, Emmet, Augustus, and Cyrus. They would be a "team" - and hard to beat.