[name_f]Hortense[/name_f] Gertrude and [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] [name_f]Madge[/name_f] are the two name combinations that my aunt likes. She wants my opinion, but I can’t decide if I love one or am not a fan of either. What do you think?
Definitely [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] although I think [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] [name_f]Blanche[/name_f] or [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] [name_f]Blanche[/name_f] may be more wearable.
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[name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] [name_f]Blanche[/name_f] hands down. It’s charming in it’s own way. I do like it, but I second the pp’s suggestions. 
Both seem very clunky and heavy, and neither are that wearable to me. However, if I had to choose - definitely [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f]. It has a well-flowing sweet sound, while [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] isn’t appealing to me at all. [name_f]Poppy[/name_f] [name_f]Madge[/name_f] or [name_f]Penelope[/name_f] [name_f]Madge[/name_f] would be less heavy to my ears though.
They are both pretty clunky names. [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] reminds me of Syphilis (sorry!!) [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] reminds me of horse or maybe a not so nice thing to call a promiscuous woman (if you get what im saying).
[name_f]Hortense[/name_f] [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f]
[name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] [name_f]Madge[/name_f]/[name_f]Blanche[/name_f]
Cortensia [name_m]Tru[/name_m]
[name_f]Phillipa[/name_f] [name_f]Blanche[/name_f]
Other names that may be her style:
[name_f]Eugenia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Bridget[/name_f]
[name_f]Myrtle[/name_f]
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f]
[name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_u]Blair[/name_u]
[name_f]Alberta[/name_f]
[name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_u]Piper[/name_u]
[name_f]Felicia[/name_f]
[name_f]Doris[/name_f]
[name_f]Delores[/name_f]
[name_f]Gladys[/name_f]
[name_f]Beatrice[/name_f]
While I don’t dislike any of the name individually, they’re all quite heavy together. Ultimately I think [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] is too harsh of a combination (I think even a slight tweak like [name_f]Hortensia[/name_f]/[name_f]Ortensia[/name_f] [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] would be an improvement.) [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] [name_f]Blanche[/name_f]/[name_f]Madge[/name_f] is the better combo.
Personally though I think [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] might be worth consideration for her.
I also like some of the suggested alternatives by other posters like Phlippa, [name_f]Mavis[/name_f], and [name_f]Alberta[/name_f].
Personally I don’t find either of them wowing me, too extreme vintage. If I had to choose one I’d say [name_f]Phylis[/name_f] [name_f]Madge[/name_f].
While many of the old lady names that are making a comeback are charming, these are four that should remain in mothballs. I would go back to the drawing board.
I think [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] will come back into use. It’s a revivable classic, easy to say and easy on the ear.
[name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] would be better than [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f]. [name_f]Gerty[/name_f] is an adorable nickname, while [name_f]Trudy[/name_f] is an easy to spell and familiar alternative a woman might prefer around the neighborhood and at work. [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] itself sounds quite nice if pronounced a little closer to the original [name_m]German[/name_m]. [name_m]GAIR[/name_m]-trude.
[name_f]Hortense[/name_f] just sounds tense.
I prefer [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f]. I could see it making a comeback, but [name_f]Hortense[/name_f] is just plain ugly imo.
Sorry but I really can’t like a name that starts with Hor.
I don’t find either wearable at all.
[name_f]Hortense[/name_f] and [name_f]Gertrude[/name_f] sound awful to me.
I choose Phyllis Blanche, although Cornelia Blanche would be more wearable. Corie or Lia can be derived from Cornelia, which would make it more wearable.
Hortense and/or Gertrude would be fitting on an 80 year old in the retirement home, but not on a 30 year old wanting to command the boardroom and certainly not on a child. In fact, when applying for a job, Hortense Gertrude on a resume would easily get her kicked out.
I think [name_f]Phyllis[/name_f] is more wearable and also has some nickname possibility. I would not be surprised to see [name_f]Madge[/name_f] make a comeback as a nickname for [name_f]Margaret[/name_f] relatively soon.