Want her to be the only X in the class

I know a Xarife. Pronounced Sha-reef-ah.

But I agree, she'll be the only 'X' for sure

What about Xenia or Xanthe?

Well, I certainly know at least one child named all those above (many more in most cases) whereas I don't know a single Fenella, Thea or Ailie (OP's suggestions), all of which are lovely classic names and make a refreshing change to the top 10 ones.

I know siblings called Mimi and Esme. There was a collective when Mimi was introduced.... Seriously? Can that really be a name?!

Here are the 2010 most popular names:
The boys top 10 were: Oliver, Jack, Harry, Alfie, Charlie, Thomas, William, Joshua, George and James.

The girls top 10 were: Olivia, Sophie, Emily, Lily, Amelia, Jessica, Ruby, Chloe, Grace and Evie.

In the primary school I teach, there are 2 Jacks, 1 Thomas, 1 Billy and 2 Emilys. That's it. So I agree, you can't tell. It's total pot luck.

Although if you do call her X she'll probably be the only one. :)

I have heard Mimi as a nn for Amelia, which is very popular where I am from.

You're right, Iggi, you can't tell. But you can minimise the risk by avoiding a very popular name. But you'r right, you can never guarantee that any name doesn't suddenly become super popular (or unpopular or whatever).

Jack has been no.1 boys name for some time, I believe. I have never taught a class with more than one Jack in it.
I just don't think you can tell.

sorry, should have written well know

Isn't there a happy medium - names that well know, classic, easy to spell and pronounce and yet not already used by thousands? Why does it have to be (to follow ASByatt's example) either Olivia or Grassblade? Why a top 10 name vs a non-existent ridiculous one?

The OP simply asked peoples' opinions about whether a top 20 name would be too popular for them. Some said yes, others no. Fine. Thankfully we have different tastes.

Sorry - context - I have 3 young (distant) family members who were all given 'unusual' names by their parents for the very reason given by the OP - all 3 children vehemently dislike their names and go to some lengths to change them wherever possible.

But why is it so important to the parents that their DC is the only one with that name? Is it really so awful if there is another one???? Your DC will be unique, whether they are called Olivia or Grassblade Winterbottom!

(NB - I'm not suggesting Grassblade or Winterbottom as potential names, although neither name appears in my DC's school....)

Seeker thats right. Not wanting your child to have to be known by first name + initial of surname throughout their schooling would never be a reason, it is all just selfishness and vanity on the part of the parents.

Seeker, why do you think that parents "don't actually care whether their child has the same as somebody else in their class" and are choosing names so that "others think what unconventional free spirits the parents must be" .

Perhaps there are such people. But I can only speak for myself. My dh and I actually tried hard to find lovely names for our children (normal, classic names ) that weren't already used by lots and lots of others. Both were outside the top 100 when we chose them. We love their names now as much as we did when we chose them. And dd and ds seem happy with them too (even though there are some who don't like our choices - inevitable if you choose a names that aren't popular). I think I am a fairly confident person and do not feel any urge to 'impress' others by the clothes I wear, the car I drive or the names I give to my children. Honestly.

So yes, maybe some parents use their childrens' names to impress others, but many, many parents simply choose names they love!

This is all about the parents. They don't actually care about whether their child has the same name as somebody else thief class, they just want people to think "oh what unconventional free spirits that child's parents must be".

When what they are actually doing is concealing a singger and thinking "what arseholes that child's parents must be- I wonder if I cam kidnap it and change its name to something less cruel by deed poll"

'I reckon you stand more chance of her being the only Sarah, Karen, Emma or Rachel'

I agree. My DD has a 'traditional' name, probably considered old fashioned by some. However she is the only little girl in her entire school with her name and I get comments on her 'lovely unusual name' all the time . She is surrounded by girls with the same 'unusual' names; Tegan, Darcy, Freya, etc... and there are two Kyra's in her class.

I think that Orville would be better!

come on, I didn't suggest naming her Orville!

Rhea is a flightless bird from South America-similar to calling a DC Ostrich!

Oh, and instead of Thea, what about Rhea, which is lovely.

Call her 'My mum's a bit zany' - will clear up any confusion and it's all about you

Sorry but I don't like any of them. Call her Athena.

I agree with Shouty, she'll be forever correcting the spelling. Ex, Ecks, Xz etc.