should i be put off ds name?

[chillido]

I've loved the name finely / finlay a long time (I knew a really lovely one years ago!) but it's become pretty popular...should this put me off?
We're not telling people our names but a couple of people have suggested it as a name they like, so at least I know it's not going to freak everyone out!
The trouble is that we're struggling to think of other boy names...there are a lot of boys in our families and I've had quite a few boy pets!!

[MoonlightandWerewolves]

Well, as someone pointed out on a thread a while ago, even the Top100 are talking about name numbers being given in the thousands, and there's quite a few more inhabitants than that in the UK, so even 'being popular' doesn't mean he'll be sharing a class with 20 others of the same.

If you like it - use it!

Oh, and congratulations.

[vamosbebe]

No, don't let it put you off, it's a lovely name

[Pochemuchka]

Personally, I think if you like a name it doesn't matter how popular it is or what anyone else thinks. (I say that as someone who has a DD with a 'popular' name and a DS with an almost unheard of name and a DC3 on the way who I have absolutely no idea about!)

If you love it then that's what's important. :)

[scottishmummy]

if you love it,great
just be aware he may be finley a,b,c in class
if that doesn't bother you then proceed

[chillido]

Ok...thanks for the reassurance...naming someone is such a big responsibility!
I have a feeling that other names I like are going to be quite 'popular' too...maybe I just have no imagination! (or maybe I'll blame my family for taking all the names...!)

[HolyAutumnGoldBatman]

It would put me off tbh. Finley has been removed from my list for this very reason.

If you don't mind the popularity thing then you shouldn't let it put you off though.

[evamummy]

Very widely used already. He may well need a modifier (surname initial, big, small, whatever) to differentiate him from all the other Finleys.

If your surname is quite popular, then perhaps choose something less common. Might make it easier for him long term.

[bigbluebump]

Popularity would put me off. I didn't know a single Finley 10 years ago and now know about 10 under age eight, so there are LOTS of them out there.

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Don't be out off at all.

Your Finlay will be the best

My boys' names are in the top 10, I couldn't give a hoot. And tbh, even though my eldest is nearly 6 and I've yet to meet another Alfie. Same with ds2, though he's only 1!

If you and your dp love it, that's all that matters.

[bigbluebump]

Agree that it will depend on your surname. Imagine, for example, how many John Smiths or Steve Jones there are. Depending on what are you work in, it can be handy to be able to identified (e.g. on the internet) easily.

We sometimes forget why we name a person - to identify him/her.

[LonelyCloud]

I agree with Pochemuchka - what matters is how you feel about the name.

Better to give him a popular name you love, rather than a less popular one that you think is just okay.

And, as others have said, popular names aren't distributed evenly throughout the country. Harry was the most popular boys name in England and Wales last year, and the only Harry's I know are aged over 50.

[bigbluebump]

There are lots and lots of lovely names that are neither a top 10 name nor a never-heard-of name like Cadwallader .

[Clary]

There are two Finlays withthe same surname as well at DS2's school, not to mention all the other Finlays.

Luckily the two Finlay Johnsons are in different years but it still causes confusion.

It is one of those names that has been popular for a while as well, I know Finns aged 13-14 as well as infant school age. Not sure if that makes any difference?

DS2 has the most popular name of my 3 children and I have to say that it bugs me a bit. He's not keen either. DS1 is very proud to be the only child he knows with his first name (tho it's not in the Cadwallader stakes!)

I think on balance OP if you mind any of the above then think again; if not then go for it, it's a nice name!

[JennaLemon]

I'd say it's peaked already, so that the other finlays are likely to be older. Names like Daniel and Adam will always be popular but I would be put off Finlay becauuse it will date a child so specifically 2003-9

[weegiemum]

I've never seen it spelled Finley! Eww

Finlay or Findlay in Scotland.

[TobyLerone]

My sis has a Findlay and I think it's lovely. I don't know any others. I know a couple of Finns but they're about 10.

[TobyLerone]

Also, "it will date a child to [these years]"??

Surely the child's age is the thing which 'dates' him?

[JennaLemon]

WEll obviously, but most of my Mum's friends are called Mary, Maura, Marian, Mary B and Bernadette. My friends are Louise and Suzanne. My daughter's friends are Sophie and Isabella. It doesn't matter I guess. But it's a bit predictable. If that is fine with you, then fine!

[LonelyCloud]

Agree with JennaLemon.

There's quite a lot of names where you can have a general idea of the person's age without meeting them. But whether or not that bothers you is another question.

[ThursdayWillBeTheDay]

I think its surge in popularity was some years ago?

It's never going to be trotted out as a "classic" (eg Edward, Joseph etc) but if that doesn't bother you....

[Metronomy]

I have a 10 year old Finn. He loves his name (as do I). I think it's classic enough to stand the test of time.

[snickers251]

I have a 2yo called Finley and even tho it's popular we still love the name!

My sil chose really unusual trendy names which were not so popular and yet I've still met a few children with their names so there's always a possibility of someone else with that name.

If you love it I say go for it! Xx

[tammy234]

"Names are popular for a good reason." Yes, the 'good' reason is that lots of people are influenced by fashion and choose the same name, hence making it popular.

When I was at school I did not know a single Finley/Finlay. Now I know more than twenty little Finns, all under the age of about ten. It has become a very fashionable name and WILL start to sound 'dated' as it falls out of fashion again and people tire of the name.

Just like there are currently thousands adult Steves and Sharons, there will be thousands of Finns and Lilys when are kids are adults.

[tammy234]

sorry our, not are.