Names that wouldn’t work today

Happened to come across the name [name_m]Adolphus[/name_m] while scrolling through the children section of [name_u]George[/name_u] III’s Wikipedia, and, given the guy with the [name_m]German[/name_m] version of this name, I can understand why it isn’t in common usage.

However, this had me wondering, are there other names that, while the fact they were known to be used at least a few decades ago, simply wouldn’t be used today?

Any thoughts?

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[name_u]Gay[/name_u]

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You don’t meet many little boys called [name_m]Dick[/name_m] these days, for obvious reasons! :sweat_smile:

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[name_f]Pansy[/name_f], unfortunately, it’s a pretty nickname… if not for what it is

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[name_f]Fanny[/name_f].

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Hymen (though idk if this ever worked)

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[name_f]Alexa[/name_f] & [name_f]Siri[/name_f] came to mind.

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[name_m]Elmo[/name_m] and [name_m]Kermit[/name_m]

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[name_f]Isis[/name_f] and [name_m]Butch[/name_m]

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Me reading through the comments as someone who knows a [name_u]Gay[/name_u], [name_m]Dick[/name_m], [name_f]Fanny[/name_f], and [name_f]Siri[/name_f] :face_with_peeking_eye:

[name_u]Duffy[/name_u], probably. Boohoo, because what a sweet name!

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[name_u]Gay[/name_u] / [name_m]Gaylord[/name_m] / [name_f]Gaye[/name_f]
[name_m]Dick[/name_m]
[name_m]Adolf[/name_m] (and variations like adolph, except adolfo. i think adolfo can work on a spanish speaking person)
[name_m]Benito[/name_m]
[name_f]Karen[/name_f] (In the western world)
[name_f]Fanny[/name_f] (In [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking countries)

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As for [name_m]Benito[/name_m], I can kinda see where you’re coming from. I doubt a European, or specifically an Italian, would be naming their kid [name_m]Benito[/name_m] these days given the Mussolini connotation.

However, in Latin [name_u]America[/name_u], it is still a heard of name, and I think people there or the youth at least would think of Bad [name_f]Bunny[/name_f] (Puerto Rican Rapper) before they thought of Mussolini. This is purely an observation, so don’t take my word completely here :woman_shrugging:

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Yes, I am Italian :slightly_smiling_face: Definitely think of Mussolini with that name, but I can see where you come from. Without the association it could be even not so bad!

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[name_m]Garfield[/name_m]
[name_f]Lolita[/name_f]
[name_m]Nimrod[/name_m]
[name_m]Deforest[/name_m]

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[name_f]Dorcas[/name_f] comes to mind.

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I think [name_f]Isis[/name_f] is fine now, it’s not so much on the news anymore and the reference to the Egyptian goddess is strong enough that I don’t think people would really associate the name with the terrorist organization.
I did meet a little [name_f]Isis[/name_f], she should be like 6 or 7 now

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[name_f]Thankful[/name_f]

I think this one really depends on the last name(s). [name_f]My[/name_f] ancestor started out as Thᴀnkful Rɛɛd, but married and became Thᴀnkful Wɛɛd. Definitely wouldn’t work in today’s world.

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Gay/Gaye
[name_u]Mickey[/name_u]
[name_f]Karen[/name_f]
[name_m]Dick[/name_m]
[name_f]Isis[/name_f]
[name_f]Alexa[/name_f]
[name_f]Siri[/name_f]
Syria (not sure if people actually use this name. however, i did meet a girl named Syriana this summer)
Adolph/Adolphus
[name_u]America[/name_u]
[name_f]China[/name_f]

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I honestly don’t think the general public is very aware of the goddess, tbh.

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