Popular 1st name to go with Smith?

[Davs]

My husband and I really like Joshua, but our surname is Smith. Joshua is so far up the popularity list, is it fair on the child?
Thanks for your advice.

[KangarooCaught]

Winston, Citizen or Granny would be unfair.

Joshua woyld be really lovely

[HelenaRose]

I agree with KangarooCaught on that one. It's not like the anonymity of John Smith, which has become a cliché; it's simply a lovely name. Joshua Smith.

[SixtyFootDoll]

IS Josh still really popular though? I know it is amomgst older boys aged 7-10?

I am a Smith too, but where I live there aren't that any of us!

[Goingspare]

I think it's quite a self-confident thing to go with a name you like and not worry too much about its popularity, or whether he'll ever come across another Joshua Smith.

I have some friends called Smith, whose 3 children all have fairly popular names (the boy's name is quite similar to Joshua). They are all very strong and distinctive individuals, and have made their names their own.

I like Joshua/Josh Smith.

[Davs]

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Kiki84 - that's so funny, we already have a son called Zachary!

[Needaname]

It's a good name but I did think Josh as soon as I saw the thread title because I taught two a year apart. Does it really matter though?

[hulabula]

Personally, I'd give ds a more unique first name to identify him a little better (after all, the whole point of naming something/someone is to identify is uniquely as possible, no?).

How about
Tristan Smith
Quentin Smith
Felix Smith
Vincent Smith

but then I have a preference for less common names anyway .

[hulabula]

I also think Josh Smith doesn't work well as the sh runs into the S if that makes sense .

[DELHI]

Instead of Joshua, what about Joel? I like that

[bigbluebump]

I don't really like Joshua/Josh but certainly wouldn't give a popular first name with such a popular surname. He will struggle to get an email address, webpage, facebook name, and people will have trouble finding him.

Also wouldn't use a name with an 's' or 'th' in it. Felix and Quentin sound good with Smith imo.

[IzziesMummy]

My DH's surname is Smith and our DS is Joseph. John Smith and Samuel Smith were both ruled out because we didn't think it a good idea to name a baby after a beer!!

[giantpurplepeopleeater]

I think what matters is whether you and your dp like the name.

You could go to the point where you pick something more unusual for this reason, and regret it.

Personally think Joshua is a lovely name and that if you like it you should go with it!

[healthyElfy]

I know a Joshua Smith, it has never occured to me that its two fairly usual names. What about a more unusual middle name? Joshua Horatio Smith has a great sound to it! :o

[rachel234]

I personally wouldn't use such a common name with a very common surname like Smith. I think your ds will have a hard time differentiating himself (be in online or in real life) and would choose a more unique first name myself.

[ValiumSingleton]

I don't know, he'd still be J smith. Which is a bit of a cliche.

I'd go for something much more unusual.

have you tried putting it in to that website www.yournotme.co.uk

it only tells you how many people who have registered to vote have the name though.

[ValiumSingleton]

that is .com actually.

[ValiumSingleton]

What about Thaddeus or Gaius

Not one single Thaddeus Smith (under 18). Same for Gaius Smith

[ShoppingDays]

Agree with hulabula. Joshua is a nice name but Josh Smith has a bit too much of the sh, s, th.

[Komondor]

Prefer

Jacob Smith (Jake Smith)

Too many s's Josh Smith.

[poppydaisy]

I'd also go for a slightly more unique name because of your very common surname.

Maybe Gaius and Thaddeus are at little too out there, but I do like Quentin Smith, Benedict Smith or Felix Smith.

[thefurryone]

I don't agree that someone will have a hard time differentiating themselves with a common name, my DH has both an incredibly common first name and surname and he doesn't seem in the slightest bit bothered about it and it hasn't held him back in life in the slightest.

I have a reasonably uncommon first name and a surname that I have only come across in other family members and find the thought of someone else having my name a bit weird. So out of this extensive sample I have concluded that common names only seem to bother those that don't have them :)

[pranma]

Theo[dore] goes well.Smith was my mum's maiden name :)

[bigbluebump]

I wonder if there are too many 'th's in Theo Smith...

I would choose a first name with different sounds, e.g. Jacob Smith, Quentin Smith, Patrick Smith etc.

[ValiumSingleton]

What about Leopold Smith.

Just Leo Smith for everyday.. but Leopold Smith on the docs, there'd only be a few.