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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Brave versus safe?

202 replies

horsechesnut · 13/07/2010 08:30

Most people have unusual/ uncommon names which they love but when it finally comes to making that choice just cannot bring themselves to use for whatever reason.

So my Q is - which did you go for - your brave name choice or your safe option and why? And do you now wish you'd chosen the other one?

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Tuschinski · 13/07/2010 17:04

We called out DD Isabella which was the safe option and I am sorry I wasn't more brave, hope to convince DH we should be this time. I would say brave within reason and I would certainly consider Jasper to be within reason.

Bigbluebump, where did you get the stat about the name being used 13 times? I'd love to see those numbers but I've only ever seen figures for the top 100

skinnymalinki · 13/07/2010 14:26

Ahh Pandora... reminds me of Adrian Mole. Lovely.

SuzieHomemaker · 13/07/2010 14:24

Brave - I have never heard of another with the same name as my DS and he wouldnt shorten it. DDs' names are not common but well known (IYSWIM). All three DCs have place names as their middle names.

deliciousdevilwoman · 13/07/2010 14:15

MrsVWoolf-I love Pandora and it's on my shortlist for a girl. Love the meaning-"gifted"

skinnymalinki · 13/07/2010 14:13

Brave. As long as its not daft!

Foreign names are good too.

I have one brave and 2 sensible!

KERALA1 · 13/07/2010 14:12

Exactly Lulu. In my daughters class one third of the girls have the same name.

LuluF · 13/07/2010 14:10

I think I tend to favour the unusual - I wouldn't say the names I've picked are brave, (actually DS's name is in top 20, but DH's choice to honour his father, so I didn't mind so much) but to me, the worst thing in the world is having the same name as 2 or three others in your class, using the initial of your surname to differentiate you. I can't understand why anyone would want that for their child.

KERALA1 · 13/07/2010 13:40

Brave. DH and I had discussed this brave name then I had to stay in hospital for a while and the name registrar visited on Tuesdays. DH came back from what I thought was a trip to the loo very pleased with himself and announced he had registered dd's name and saved us a trip to the council offices. He was under the impression it was a done deal. Love it though and glad I was sort of harried into it

Hedwig3 · 13/07/2010 13:31

I was brave, I knew hearing the names I loved would really get to me if I went for safe.

Also, I just never seem to be keen on the safer options.

tammytoby · 13/07/2010 12:54

I don't think the choice should be BETWEEN safe or brave.

I think you should choose a name you love, that works well with your surname, that is easily pronouncable/spellable and that ideally isn't already used by thousands of others.

Our dd and ds both have names that are outside the top 250 but are still lovely classic names. Some might find them 'brave' some 'poncy' some even 'safe'/'boring' but we are very happy with the choices and, so far, our children too.

Imarriedafrog · 13/07/2010 11:52

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bigbluebump · 13/07/2010 11:41

Brave every time!

Our ds has a name that some mumsnetters consider brave. In reality we get lovely comments from people and love it. His name is fairly uncommon (it was only given 13 times in 2008) but is still a normal, easily pronouncable, spellable name .

chainedtothedesk · 13/07/2010 11:26

Go for brave.

I have quite an unusual name for my age group (I've met a few old ladies with my name though!) and I'd much rather have a name that stands out than be known as 'tall emma' or 'blonde Louise' or have my surname initial permanently tagged to the end of my name.

Go for it

MrsvWoolf · 13/07/2010 11:15

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piprabbit · 13/07/2010 10:43

I think it's good to be brave and not follow the herd - within reason though.

As a parent you are unlikely to be bullied, ridiculed or humilated because of the name you choose for your child, but your child may not be so lucky.

ShadeofViolet · 13/07/2010 10:40

I thought you were going to ask us if we thought you should call you baby Brave or Safe.

I like Ben, only because I dont really like Jasper (reminds me of the baddie in 101 Dalmations)

sonniebonnie · 13/07/2010 10:34

Another vote for Brave!

Original poster
horsechesnut · 13/07/2010 10:33

Japser to us is quite a 'brave' choice. I don't know any Japsers and we get a mixed reaction from people when mentioned. I'm quite glad you don't think it brave, that kinda reassures me.

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onedeadbadger · 13/07/2010 10:32

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MrsRhettButler · 13/07/2010 10:29

*though

MrsRhettButler · 13/07/2010 10:28

both are very nice names horse

where i come from, neither would be considered brave tough

mopsyflopsy · 13/07/2010 10:27

What is brave or Safe about either Jasper or Ben.... They're both fairly common/popular names imo.

Original poster
horsechesnut · 13/07/2010 10:26

Clpsmums, mine are Jasper and Ben. I'll leave you to guess which is which

OP posts:
CristinaTheAstonishing · 13/07/2010 10:25

Our DD1 is Sylvia. Not a "brave" name at all but it's old fashioned in an unfashionable way IYSWIM. I had wanted Tallulah years before but not by the time I had DD1 as it had become fashionable. She's 5.

mopsyflopsy · 13/07/2010 10:23

Another vote for the brave option, especially if you love the name and it goes well with your surname .

The whole point of 'naming' someone or something is to (as much as possible) uniquely identify him/her/it. I find it so hard to distinguish between all the (adult) Steves and Mikes I know and the (child) Jack and Toms....