Upworthy's book GOOD PEOPLE, now available - take a look!

Shop
 Explore 

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.

Google News Button

16 amazing animated series and movies to add to your comfort show list

Because cartoons aren't just for kids.

Promotion image for Bluey; Promotion image for Flow

Bluey and Flow promo images

Bluey (left); Flow (right)

In times of stress, comfort shows can provide just the right amount of escapism, familiarity, and emotional relief. When the world seems to be crumbling around us, sometimes the only way to actually relax is to thrust ourselves into the world of fiction, where characters reflect the best parts of ourselves (or at least the funniest parts) and storylines are soothingly predictable.

As far as what types of comfort shows to watch, many might gravitate towards sitcoms or reality shows. But man, are those folks missing out on what feels like a golden age of animation. It’s not just kid cartoons anymore, nor the sardonic slapstick styles of “made for adult” cartoons like The Simpsons or Family Guy. We’re talking deeply compelling storylines set against incredibly striking visuals. What’s not to like? You get everything you enjoy about good TV, while getting to escape into art.

And, animated films and television shows haven’t only added more depth, but breadth of variety. We’ve curated a list of some for you to consider during your next binge. Whether you want to laugh, cry, or do both at the same time, there’s sure to be something worth watching.

Whimsical + Fun

These are more nostalgia driven, and have a bit of a classic cartoon feel. For when you want to just let your inner child come out for a bit.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

This animated Nickelodeon show premiered in 2005 and also made our previous “comfort shows” list because it's just that good. Sure, it’s made for kids, but viewers of all ages continue to appreciate the show’s quirky, loveable characters and interwoven mindfulness lessons. What's more, ATLA does a lot of heavy lifting in its storylines. Though the packaging of the show is indeed whimsical and fantastic, it fearlessly tackles deep topics such as genocide, the destruction of war, nationalism and imperialism, social justice, loss, the importance of protecting the environment, and the value of love, friendship, and family. There's a reason its remained extremely popular since its debut twenty years ago.

Bluey

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Bluey is even more of a kiddie show, and yet is perfect for kids and parents alike because of its relatable, realistic family dynamics, tackling complex emotions in a child-friendly way with clever humor and wholesome portrayals of everyday life. And because every character on the show, including the parents, share their discoveries, many adults find the show to be healing.

Adventure Time

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Speaking of progressive kid’s shows, if you’re looking for an animated show that features a charming bromance, gender swaps, body positivity, and fun slang like “oh my glob!” then check out Adventure Time. It premiered on Cartoon Network in 2010 but still holds up with or without the power of nostalgia thanks to how it portrays growth, relationships, trauma, and the beauty of life and friendship.

Over the Garden Wall

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Over the Garden Wall is an American animated miniseries that centers on two half-brothers who travel through a mysterious forest called The Unknown to find their way home, encountering a variety of strange and fantastical things on their journey. Since premiering on Cartoon Network in 2014, the show has become a cult classic of sorts, and surged again in popularity thanks to a three-minute stop-motion short celebrating its 10th anniversary this past November. When you enter The Unknown prepare to be enthralled by a spooky, yet whimsical story that belongs in a Brothers Grimm's collection, brought to life by an incredible voice acting cast and score.

The Dragon Prince

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

The Dragon Prince, later known as The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos, was a clear attempt to tonally pick up where Avatar left off (it was written by the same writers, after all). And in many ways, it follows a similar fantasy quest template. We have a bit of an enemies-to-lovers thing going on as Callum, a human training to be a mage, and Rayla, a Moon elf, begin their quest whilst taking care of the infant Storm Dragon, the titular Dragon Prince during a time of conflict between magical beings and mankind. But the story definitely finds its legs, creating its own unique blend of goofy charm and mature plotlines.

Epic Action

Moving into more mature, complex territory here, this next batch of shows are great options for folks who think cartoons aren’t for them. These are more like the works of Shakespeare, set in a painting.

Arcane

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

This show is, in a word, STUNNING. Both in terms of visuals and storytelling. Yes, it’s based on the League of Legends video game, but you can be the antithesis of a gamer and still appreciate it’s complex characters, deep emotional themes, and well-crafted world. Talk about a brilliant meditation on classism and trauma.

The Legend of Vox Machina

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Again, this animated series is captivating whether you’re into Dungeons and Dragons or not. Though there’s plenty of silly humor in this one, it is well balanced with serious (downright heartbreaking) moments as well. If you’ve got a soft spot for found family dynamics, enjoy.

Blue Eye Samurai

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

After becoming a near overnight mega hit on Netflix, Blue Eye Samurai was dubbed not only one of the best animated shows on the platform, but one of its best shows period. You could almost think of it as an elevated anime, that tonally feels like a spaghetti western samurai film hybrid alá The Magnificent Seven. Beyond the revenge plot is also an inspiring story of transcending societal expectations, all in order to find one’s own greatness. This is made evident by one of the key characters, Akemi (voiced by Brenda Song) declaring “I want to be great” during a pivotal fork-in-the-road moment. That’s all we’ll say about that.

Based on a Comic Book

Sure, cartoons are not a hard sell for comic book fans, but when put into animated form, even non-nerds can enjoy the high stakes storylines and compelling characters that come with the genre, making it even more accessible.

Harley Quinn

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

The animated series on Max exudes all the qualities that most people love about this iconic comic book henchman-turned-villainess in her own right. It’s vivacious, it’s fun, and it’s bonkers. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, the romantic relationship between Harley and Poison Ivy is put front and center and refreshingly full of queer joy.

X-Men 97

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

There’s a reason this show has been hailed a masterpiece, and nostalgia has very little to do with it. This animated series succeeds at what all the live action iterations have failed to do in tackling Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s original themes of prejudice, racism, and the importance of fighting against them.

Invincible

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Invincible has all the campy comic book fun that we grew up with as kids, and yet still goes down very, very dark roads. In a similar vein to Amazon’s The Boys, it portrays the reality of being a hero, and how being idolized does not a hero make. Arguably though, unlike The Boys, there's as much heart as there is grit.

Movies

Because not everyone has the wherewithal to binge yet another series. animated movies offer plenty of comfort, too. You might notice that most of the movies on this list came from 2024—and rightfully so because it was a good year for animation.

Flow

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

This little independent Latvian film is making a huge splash this awards season, and for good reason. The dialogue-free story—which centers around a lone black cat and its unlikely crew of a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a Golden retriever—is less of a movie and more of a beautifully profound meditation on life itself. It’s whimsical, poignant, breathtakingly gorgeous, and worth many, many watches. Primarily because the first watch is so stressful seeing those animals get into hairy situations.

Wild Robot

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Ever wanted an animated film that feels like a ”warm hug from a mother?” Then this is the film for you. Based on a somber children’s book by Peter Brown that deals with grief, loss, and found families, the movie is just deeply resonating. Definitely a “grab your tissues” kind of watch. But a very cathartic one.

Spirited Away

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Truthfully any of Hayao Miyazaki’s works could fit the bill, but Spirited Away specifically feels like being thrust into a Japanese fairytale. And yet, there are universal themes of self-discovery, facing fears, and the importance of identity. Don’t expect a cut-and-dry hero-vs-villain storyline here, but prepare to walk away with lasting wisdom.

Inside Out 1&2

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Similarly, Pixar’s animated films about dealing with complex human emotions doesn’t have a true antagonist, and it’s because of that that audiences are able to explore mental health and/or emotional struggles we have all had and see them in all new, hopefully more compassionate ways. Both the original and its sequel are part film, part therapy.

We understand that times might be especially anxiety inducing, particularly those experiencing loss or stress from the California wildfire emergency. That’s why Upworthy has created a resource guide for those who need help, and those who want to help. Perhaps after regulating and finding calm (hopefully with one or more of these shows!), it might be a good read.

From Your Site Articles

Feeling burnt out? Doctors are prescribing trips to Sweden

Get ready for the best "sick days" you'll ever have.

Visit Sweden

True

It’s no secret that modern life is stressful. Burnout is an epidemic. The World Health Organization boldly stated its dedicated efforts to help people improve their health and well-being through nature.

And thanks to a new initiative, Sweden is stepping up to offer a new holistic remedy: a physician-prescribed visit to Sweden, aka “The Swedish Prescription”.

“We have made great strides in making nature/social/culture prescription a more integral part of public health in the United States– but there is still so much more to be done,” said Dr. Stacy Stryer, Associate Medical Director for Park RxAmerica.“I welcome Sweden’s initiative and hope it will help break down institutional and organizational barriers, ultimately benefiting all patients.”

Patients can escape to Sweden’s pristine environment for true respite. Backed by scientific data and research from Yvonne Forsell, Senior Professor at Karolinska Institutet, healthcare professionals can prescribe Sweden as a destination where patients engage in non-medical treatments and outdoor activities to ease their ailments and offer a fresh reset.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Restore body and mind with the Swedish ritual of alternating ice baths and saunas. Swim, hike or forage through silent forests, lakes, parks and nature reserves – or simply sit in the stillness. Witness the Northern Lights dancing across winter skies, or soak up the calm of the summer midnight sun. In Stockholm, Europe’s clean-air capital, take a deep breath and feel the difference.

Or skip the great outdoors and spend time embracing Sweden’s unique cultural practices. “Our cozy fika tradition [Sweden’s daily pause for coffee and conversation], our “lagom”-balanced lifestyle [the idea of “not too much, not too little”] and our easily accessible nature are a soothing balm for body and mind,” says Susanne Andersson, CEO at Visit Sweden.

Sit back in front of a masterpiece in one of Sweden’s many art museums, or head out to a live music event after browsing concert options on Swedish-founded Spotify. You might catch chart-topping hits from producer Max Martin or discover the country’s thriving metal scene. Call it an early – or late – night, and enjoy restorative sleep in Sweden’s cool night air.

Sweden is the therapeutic destination your health has been craving. Learn more about “The Swedish Prescription” and its benefits for your mental and physical health here.

Popular

14 comfort meals from the 1970s that are still delicious and affordable

Break out the casserole dish.

Image courtesy of Reddit/Slow-moving-sloth

Foods like casseroles were popular during the 1970s.

All things old are new again—and the same goes for classic recipes.

For those who grew up during the 1970s (that's Baby Boomers and Generation Jones), staple dishes that were served at the dinner table are being rediscovered on Reddit by newer generations looking for filling, comforting, and affordable meals.

According to JSTOR, actress Liza Minelli first coined "comfort food" back in 1970. Minelli told food columnist Johna Blinn, "Comfort food is anything you just yum, yum, yum."

Meals from the 1970s are nostalgic and also budget friendly. Try making one of these comforting recipes from Redditors that will fill you up and not break the bank.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Tuna casserole

"I LITERALLY made a tuna casserole last night & had the leftovers for lunch today." - Disastrous-Soup-5413, RogerClyneIsAGod2

Turkey (or chicken) tetrazzini

"Tetrazzini is a creamy pasta dish with turkey (or chicken) chicken, mushrooms, and cheese." - Disastrous-Soup-5413

Liver and onions

"Liver and onions, mashed potatoes and a green salad made with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes cut in wedges, cucumber slices .. peeled and miracle whip salad dressing." - Kaktusblute

Quiche Lorraine

"A family favorite quiche recipe from the 1970’s. The secret? Half a cup of mayonnaise and an unreasonable quantity of cheese. My mom uses sweet onion instead of green onion, but otherwise made as written:

1/2 c. real mayonnaise
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 1/2 c. cubed cooked ham
1 1/2 c. (about 1/2 pound) chopped Swiss cheese
1/3 c. sliced green onion
Dash pepper
1 unbaked 9" pastry shell

Mix together real mayonnaise, milk, eggs and corn starch until smooth. Stir in ham, cheese, onion and pepper. Turn into pastry shell. Bake in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven 35-40 minutes until golden brown on top and knife inserted comes out clean." - banoctopus

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Cheese fondue

"For fondue, you can go in a few different directions. Cubed crusty bread is one of the classic ways to dip into cheese fondue, but you could use fruits, vegetables, chunks of cooked or cured sausages, so long as they will keep their structural integrity." - Bluecat72

Meatloaf and baked potatoes

"A basic meatloaf is ground beef, minced onions, bread crumbs, an egg and a squirt of ketchup for moisture, salt, pepper, garlic powder.. whatever you like. Get your hands in there and squish it all together until thoroughly mixed. Form into a vague loaf shape on a pan and bake at 350 for an hour. Poke a couple potatoes with a fork and cook them in the microwave for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy a meatloaf sandwich with mustard for lunch the next day 😋." - yblame

Pork chops with rice and cream of mushroom soup

"Brown the chops, take them out of the pan, pour in rice, soup and water, stir to combine. Put the pork chops on top. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked. Tossed green salad: iceberg lettuce, chopped scallions, tomatoes, cucumbers, Wishbone Italian Dressing." - hicjacket

Salmon croquettes

"Salmon croquettes were a staple of my childhood. Canned salmon, saltine crackers, and an egg. We called them croquettes but naw, they were shaped into salmon patties." - DazzlingBullfrog9, throwawaytodaycat

Mexican casserole

"Brown ground beef, stir in a can of tomato sauce and 1 sliced green onion. Mix together a cup of sour cream, a cup of cottage cheese and a can of chopped green chilies. In a 9x13 pan, layer crushed tortilla chips, meat, cream mixture and grated Colby-jack or Colby cheese. Repeat layers. Bake until hot and bubbly." - Open-Gazelle1767

Hamburger Stroganoff

"One pound ground beef, 1 package Lipton onion soup mix, 1 can cream of mushroom or chicken soup, sour cream. Brown the ground beef, stir in the can of soup and soup mix. Stir in the sour cream until it looks right...I think it's a half pint, but maybe a whole pint. Serve over rice for the 2 kids who eat rice and egg noodles for the one kid who doesn't." - Open-Gazelle1767

Shake 'N Bake Chicken

"Shake’n Bake chicken or pork chops. 'And I helped!' Preheat oven to 400F. Moisten chicken with water. Place breasts in Shake-n-Bake shaker bag. Shake the bag vigorously to coat the chicken. Bake for 20 minutes if boneless, 45 minutes if it does have bones." - Karin58

@allrecipes
Where are all the Shake n Bake girlies? 🍗 Today @nicolesperfectbite is showing you how to make this classic bread coating at home—and dare we say better than the original? 👀 #instafood #food #foodie #shakenbake #bake #chicken #breadcrumbs #paprika #garlic #onion #powder #meat #breading #bread #easy #easyrecipe #recipe #quickandeasy #weeknightdinner

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

"Still my favorite thing to eat, but now I make my own tomato bisque, my own bread, and use Gouda or cheddar. Back then Mom made this for Friday lunch: Campbell's tomato soup (made with milk) and the grilled cheese was two slices of five-loaves-for-a-dollar white bread with Velveeta, grilled with Miami Maid margarine in the Revere Ware skillet." - Mindless_Pop_632, mulberryred

Pork sausage and rice

"I grew up in the 70s and my mother made this sausage and rice dish at least once a month. The recipe is from Peg Bracken's I Hate To Cook Book. Crumble 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of pork sausage (hamburger will do, but pork is better) into a skillet and brown it. Pour off the fat. Add:

1 green pepper, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 or 3 celery stalks, chopped
2 c. chicken consommé or bouillon
1 c. raw rice
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt

Put on the lid and let it simmer at lowest possible heat for 1 hour." - officerbirb

Sloppy Joes

"Classic Sloppy Joes. My family had these regularly in the ‘70s." - ThatPtarmiganAgain

From Your Site Articles

1970s comfort food

The Cranberries' Dolores O'Riordan sang 'so very Irish' Fleetwood Mac cover people adore

"Her voice is unmistakable."

Warner Bros. Records (left) Bart Notermans (right)

Truly a once in a lifetime talent.

When we think of badass, alt rock icons of the 90s, few are as singular and unique as Dolores O’Riordan, who gave The Cranberries its signature sound, and who was once described as having "the voice of a saint trapped in a glass harp.”

It wasn’t just that O’Riordan flawlessly blended traditional Celtic singing techniques like lilting and keening into rock music (which in itself is an amazing feat) but that her performances never compromised emotional authenticity for the sake of aesthetics. The result, as any fan will tell you, was something both ethereal and raw all at the same time.

the cranberries linger song Dolores O'Riordan had a singularly unique voice Giphy

So it should probably be of no surprise that in this resurfaced clip, presumably from the late 90s, O’Riordan’s stunning cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” is every bit as magical. As @oldmansrock, the account that posted the video, wrote, “the way that Dolores could challenge the pitch but still stay on key, that is the mark of an accomplished singer. It sounds dissonant compared to the manufactured material of today, where every tone is perfect, but hers is oh so human, and so very Irish! It is beautiful!”

But don’t just take their word for it. Watch:

See on Instagram

If this had you wanting to pull up a Cranberries playlist on your Spotify to listen to for the rest of the day, you're not alone. Down in the comments, the renewed love for O’Riordan was palpable.

“What sits deep with me is that no one sounds like her. Her voice is unmistakable. Whatever her take on a song/lyric? It was authentically, soul-touching Dolores.

“She was unbelievably talented and the cranberries are criminally underrated.”

“Her Irish vocal sweep ups are amazing.”

ireland, irish, irish flag, shamrock The Cranberries hailed from Limerick, Ireland. Giphy GIF by Curtains Cool

“She was just brilliant!!! Incredibly talented as well as a lovely and kind human being. I love and miss her. I don't know how anyone can have a bad word to say about this. I thought it was brilliant, both her live cover and studio cover. I wish people weren't so stubborn. I can accept covers no problem if the singer is talented enough, and she most certainly is. ❤️”

“A keening Irish queen. Her voice will always stir me.”

“An actual once in a generation talent.”

“Also a master of the microphone. She knows exactly where the sweet spot is for every note.”

“She could melt your heart with that voice, or completely blow you away. Missed dearly, but never forgotten. ❤️”

the cranberries, dolores o'riordan, music, irish bands Dolores O'Riordan in 2007 upload.wikimedia.org

This cover would go on to be a part to the Cranberries’ third album, To The Faithful Departed, which was released in 1996 and became the band’s highest-charting album on the US Billboard 200, and was praised for its darker tone as well as its themes of grief and loss.

After O’Riordan died from drowning due to alcohol intoxication in January 2018, the Cranberries would disband in 2019, but they released their final album, In the End, that year. It was comprised of some of O'Riordan's unfinished demo tapes.

While O’Riordan met the same tragic fate that befalls many artists, especially those in the music industry, her spirit lives on in her art. Because she put so much of herself into her craft, even bite-sized clips of her performances, many years later, inspire those who listen to it. That’s something worth celebrating.

By the way, you can catch a full video of the cover below.

- YouTube youtu.be

This article originally appeared in February.

From Your Site Articles

12 photos of women before and after an orgasm shines a new light on women's sexual wellness

"We hope that everyone viewing this project will feel more confident about their bodies and sexuality."

Imagine if this kind of joy had a bigger place in the world.

You might recall Marcos Alberti's mega-viral "3 Glasses" project from 2016, in which he photographed people after they had consumed one, two, and then three glasses of wine. The series was impactful in part because it showed the physical transformation that comes from being relaxed after some wine. That, and it touched on a common curiosity. Haven’t we all wondered if we look as different as we feel after getting a little tipsy? (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes.)

Using a very similar format to “3 Glasses,” as well as the elements of lightheartedness, novelty, and rawness that made it so special, Alberti utilizes his photography to delve into a topic much less discussed: women’s sexual wellness.

The concept is simple: photograph women before, during, and after an orgasm. You can see why he calls this the “O” project.

Despite the subject matter, Alberti assures viewers that the intention wasn’t to be explicit, or even erotic, for that matter. The 20+ women who participated, of varying ethnicities and varying levels of sexually liberated versus conservative countries of origin, were completely covered below the waist while using personal massagers.

“The underlying message: all women deserve to be in control of their sexuality, no matter their background. Women should be free to be empowered by–and have a little fun with–their sexuality,” Alberti wrote on his website.

Similarly, Fan Yang, Global Brand Manager of Smile Makers (a sexual wellbeing brand that partnered with Alberti for this project) noted that the goal was to break through stigma and show female pleasure in a positive, healthy light. The hope is that not only society normalizes female pleasure, but that women themselves connect to their sexuality without “shame and secrecy.”

Given that all the women who participated were “in awe” seeing themselves “glowing and radiant” in their final photo, as Yang put it, it feels safe to say mission: accomplished.

Take a look:

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

marcos alberti, 3 glaas, big o, orgasm, sexual wellness, womens sexual wellness, personal massager, female pleasure An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com

In a video posted to YouTube, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Alberti’s process. Welcoming the models in, setting up his camera behind a curtain for privacy, talking them through the process, making them feel safe and comfortable, etc.

We also get to see the “awe” that Yang spoke of. It’s palpable.

“Initially, I was still apprehensive… [with] a lot of worry. And this one [referring to the final image] is like “Ha! Life is beautiful!” one woman shared, grinning ear-to-ear.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

We can talk ad nauseam about how women’s pleasure shouldn’t be a taboo subject, about how it’s a natural, vital part of her overall wellbeing, how it can lead to better mood, heart health, immune function, sleep, intimacy, self-esteem…yadda, yadda yadda…but there’s nothing like actually witnessing its semi-miraculous powers firsthand. It’s one of the things that make photography so powerful. We feel something raw and honest on a visceral level, so that we can THEN talk about it with empathy and understanding. It’s clear that Alberti knows this on a deep level and is using that knowledge for something truly good.

Be sure to follow Alberti (@marcos_alberti ) on Instagram to keep up-to-date with all his work.

From Your Site Articles

Man hilariously calls out parents who give their babies 'old people names'

“We aren’t naming babies. We’re naming people."

@mannybuckley/TikTok, Photo credit: Canva

Someone finally said what we're all thinking.

Listen, baby name trends come and go. What was once a hip and cool name will eventually be seen as passé (this coming from someone with a name that is now obsolete, apparently), and names once thought of as old-fashioned will absolutely become cool again. It’s part of the circle of life, like the tides, the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun…accept it.

In fact, this comeback is already happening. According to the Social Security Administration, vintage names like Theodore, Henry, Willam, Charlotte, Evelyn, and Emma are among the top ten most popular baby names of the moment. Jimmy Fallon’s daughters are named Winnie and Frances, for crying out loud.

However, just because there’s been an uptick in names that harken you back to a time when “good show, old sport” was a common phrase, not everyone is on board. Recently, content creator Manny Buckley hilariously put into words what many of us think of these WWII-era names.

In a clip posted to his TikTok, Buckley first savagely said, “Y’all went from naming all y’all’s kids Jayden, Cayden, and Aiden, Madison, Addison, and Addylyn to giving them all old people names.” He then recounted being on a train and hearing another call after her toddler, whose name was George.

“Ma’am. George is a mechanic in his 60s and he can’t work on your car this week because his sugars is running high.” Where’s the lie?

@mannybuckley
What is this cycle of naming kids!? #names #naming #name

He didn’t stop there, going on a lighthearted rant about the types of images certain now-popular names actually evoke, like Agnes (a “Florida retiree in her 70s who cannot leave the retirement home”), Ira (an “80 year old Jewish man”), Belinda (a “registered nurse who has been working in the field for 50 years”), and Clifford (a 85-year-old navy vet who needs “all y'all to be quiet”). Nary a kid sounding name in sight, if you ask him.

babies, baby names, funny baby names, kids on rug, blockls A group of toddlers in preschool.via Canva/Photos

Although the video was clearly just a lighthearted jab, a few adults commented to defend the use of vintage names.

“We aren’t naming babies. We’re naming people,” one top comment wrote, while another seconded, “Exactly! Some people don’t realize this. They are kids for a very short period of time, then they are adults.”

Still, another quipped, “yeah, but they aren’t senior citizens forever either!” Another wrote “I’m Martha…I’ve been 80 since the first grade.”

A few others, particularly teachers, chimed in with their own equally funny experience of kids having old fashioned names.

I am a kindergarten teacher. I have Marjorie and Brenda. It’s like a 1950’s secretarial pool.

I have kindergarteners named Edyth, Arthur, and Iris. They’re going to form a knitting club at recess.”

“My nephew is Charles lmao and he may only be 2.5, but he is the school maintenance and everyone call uncle.”

“We have Matilda and Cordelia, 4 and 2, shelling beans on the porch. Their nicknames are just as old as Tilly and Della. I love them, though.”

babies, baby names, newbors, diapers, old-fashioned names Two babies in diapers.via Canva/Photos

Some of the names that Manny called out may sound humorous, but the trend of using old-fashioned names is real. The Social Security Administration recently announced a list of old-fashioned names that have been making a comeback in the last year. Some of the biggest climbers were Rocky, Marjorie, Heath, Aabner, Lettie, Benny, Micah, Salome, and Carlo.

And there you have it, folks. We have indeed come full circle. But is it any weirder than the thought of someone calling their Grandma Brittany? I think not.

This article originally appeared in February.

From Your Site Articles

Sweet Golden Retriever runs into his vet at a bar and absolutely loses it

We wuvs his doctor.

@cosmo_andtheoddparents/TikTok

Nobody loves their doctor as much as this guy.

Not every dog might jump with joy after seeing their vet out in public. But for Cosmo the Golden Retriever, it was practically Christmas all over again when he spotted his own vet, Dr. Jones, at a brewery.

In an adorable clip posted to TikTok, we see Cosmo in pure, unadulterated bliss as he snuggles with an equally happy Dr. Jones, who, considering he’s still in his scrubs, might have just gotten out of work to grab a quick pint.

Watch:

@cosmo_andtheoddparents
When you run into your vet in public #goldenretrieversoftiktok #vetlife #animallovers #petparents #goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #doglife #dogmom #dailyfluff #charlestondogs #doglover #charlestondog #brewerydog

Ugh, the cuteness is too much to handle! People in the comments could barely contain their secondhand joy.

“He looked over like, “Mom, do you see who this is?” one person wrote, while another said, “What in the Hallmark movie? Adorable!!”

One person even joked, “Did we all check the vet’s hand for a wedding ring? (Said as a married woman. Looking out for you all, or something.)”

According to Hannah Dweikat, Cosmo’s owner, the two actually share quite a history. She tells Upworthy that when Cosmo was but a wee pup, he “gave a scare” after eating a Sago Palm seed, which are highly toxic to dogs, from a plant in their backyard, which of course resulted in him being rushed to the animal hospital and staying there over the weekend.

While that’s every pet owner’s worst nightmare, and certainly a scary situation for the poor fur baby, Dweikat says that “the calm and patient demeanor” of Dr. Jones and his staff put Cosmo at ease. And because of this, “Cosmo has always loved going to see his friends—especially because they give him lots of treats and snuggles.”

Cosmo and Dr. Jones’ buddyship has also blossomed thanks to proximity, as Dweikat only lives down the street from the clinic. “Which means we get to see Dr. Jones and his staff out in public at times and Cosmo takes every chance he can get to say hi,” she explains. This time, however, she was able to capture it all on video. Yay for us!

What makes a good vet?

While not every vet, however gifted, will be able to elicit this type of reaction from their patients, having a calming presence like Dr. Jones is certainly a good sign for pet owners to be on the lookout for when shopping around for their own vet. But that’s not the only quality a good vet needs. According to Saint Matthews University, a vet also needs to have high stamina (both physically and mentally), as well as an ability to tolerate unpleasant situations (you can’t faint at the sight of blood or vomit), a high level of emotional intelligence (maybe all doctors should possess this skill, but especially those who work with animals), adaptability, a sense of enthusiasm, and finally, excellent communication skills.

Dr. Jones seems to have these attributes in spades, and his patients clearly love him for it. None so much as Cosmo, obviously. Though Cosmo, it seems, shares a fondness for many things, like toys, fishing, and paw days. what he doesn't love so much is waiting outside for mom to get her coffee.

@cosmo_andtheoddparents
Wanna see how many toys I can fit in my mouth?! #goldenretrieversoftiktok #boombap #kendrick #kendricklamar #chubbybunny #goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #doglife #dogmom #dailyfluff #charlestondogs #doglover #charlestondog #sillydog

@cosmo_andtheoddparents
He decided he wanted a mud mask today #goldenretrieversoftiktok #airball #holyairball #dogsoftiktok #goldenretriever #dogmom #doglover #dailyfluff #doglife #charlestondog #charlestondogs #dogdad #dogdays #pluffmud #fishing

@cosmo_andtheoddparents
Paw day routine 🐾 #ad Thank you @pethroom.global @pethroom_angel for the paw care kit! My beans are looking pawsome! #goldenretrieversoftiktok #goldenretriever #doglover #dailyfluff #pawcare #pawsome #doglife #charlestondog #charlestondogs #pawday #spaday

@cosmo_andtheoddparents
When mom goes inside to order coffee without you #separationanxiety #anxiety #goldenretrieversoftiktok #goldenretriever #doglover #dailyfluff #dogmom #goldenretrievers #doglife #charlestondog #charlestondogs #dogsoftiktok #doechii #coffee #coffeebreak

If you’re in need of even more content featuring this precious pup, you can follow Cosmo on both TikTok and Instagram.

This article originally appeared in February

From Your Site Articles