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Baby names

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

Original poster

Could you you use a nearly totally unique name?

93 replies

AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:21

I've thought of a girls name I really like. It is used as a surname, and is not on the 2011 baby name charts for England and Wales at all, but I googled it and found details of one person - a writer - with this name so it is 'out there'.

The name is gorgeous but I don't know whether I'm brave enough to use it! It sounds like a first name, can be shortened to a reasonably popular diminutive and I don't know why more people haven't used it, but I can imagine myself going to mother and baby groups, introducing my baby and being met with blank looks. There is a certain comfort in using a name that dozens of people have used before you.

Could you use a name like this?

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LegArmpits · 30/11/2012 17:54

I actually really like it. I'm not even sure it's that unusual, although I don't know anyone named it, if that makes sense.

seeker · 30/11/2012 17:51

How about Maynard- shortened to Maynie?

Snowflakepie · 30/11/2012 17:44

I thought of Bettany Hughes too, which is fine as she is an intelligent woman and I enjoy her tv shows.
Couldn't use it myself as we have the same surname though, that's taking hero worship a step too far.
People might mishear it but then they can mishear anything, I have to say my own name, surname and DDs name repeatedly and they are not weird in anyway. So don't worry about that. I think it's a lovely choice.

Puremince · 30/11/2012 13:59
  • a fellow Chalet School enthusiast.

There's Bettany Hughes, though the first time I saw her name written I was surprised, because I'd thought she was a Bethany.

TuftyFinch · 30/11/2012 13:59

I've been in a film with Paul Bettany.
Just saying.
At least I'm not being snitty.
I like Betsey.

Puremince · 30/11/2012 13:51

As a fan of the Chalet School books, it makes me think of the wonderful Joey Bettany. So I like it. If I met a little Bettany, I might ask if her mother was a fellow Chalet School.

However, I think unusual names work better as middle names. (DD has a top 20 first name and a unique middle name.)

Pixieonthemoor · 30/11/2012 13:25

I think Betony is rather sweet!

In answer to your original question, we named our dd a name that is, using your phrase, almost totally unique. It doesn't shorten to anything usual either but I have never regretted it for a minute, even though I quite often have to spell it and we do get some unusual interpretations!! Therefore I would say go for it esp as I think you say somewhere upthread that you have a common surname (as do we). Lovely to be a bit different.

Original poster
AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 11:43

Flogging, when I said it was out there I meant it has been used, i.e. it is out there in the world, not that it was weird and wonderful!

It's fairly unique in that in seems not to have been used by anybody except this one person, though there probably are a few others floating around somewhere.

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 30/11/2012 11:34

Bettany instead of Bethany and you reckon it's "totally" unique? Confused
It really is not out there, if this is your first criteria.

tilder · 30/11/2012 11:30

I don't think the link to the herb was harsh. Betony is a herb. You did ask what people think of the name and for some, like me, it will remind them of the plant.

I do appreciate that choice of a child's name can be sensitive, but I think if you choose an unusual name you may need to be prepared for people having a different take on it than you do. Although doesn't need to be unusual for that either.

If it worries or upsets you that people may have a different take on your chosen name now, will it worry you when your child is born?

ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit · 30/11/2012 11:25

I think Bettany is nicer than Crayon too!

I wasn't being harsh, just offering an alternative opinion.

booklava · 30/11/2012 11:23

I like it as well, my dd1 has a very unusual name which I also try to find in baby name books same as AlphaBeta82. Problem with dd's name is nn is Matty and teachers at school (esp supply) used to think she was a boy. 1 even asked if she was sure it was her!

hf128219 · 30/11/2012 11:21

There was a thread on this! Sept.

AWimbaWay · 30/11/2012 11:18

I really like it.

RooneyMara · 30/11/2012 11:15

I think she was just musing!

Original poster
AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 11:11

I think Bettany is a bit better than Crayon!

OP posts:
amillionyears · 30/11/2012 11:09

My DDs best friend at school had a made up name, which had a letter added to a more common girls name. Both mother and daughter still like the name.
though I have had times and moments, when I just cannot remember the name for the life of me, as have no other reference

RooneyMara · 30/11/2012 11:09

How was she harsh?

Leafmould · 30/11/2012 11:08

Like it.

Original poster
AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 11:06

Paul Bettany, the actor.

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 11:06

Tad harsh, Chestnuts.

OP posts:
DharmaBumpkin · 30/11/2012 11:06

I know a Betony, like the herb, and think it's a lovely name - similar sound but maybe slightly easier to explain the spelling?

RooneyMara · 30/11/2012 11:04

Unless people don't like Paul. (who is he anyway?)

I always liked the name Celery, if we're talking about odd stuff. Grin

ChestnutsRoastingonaWitchesTit · 30/11/2012 11:03

betony

Sounds similar to lots of things. I suppose you can make lots of nearly unique names if you change one letter.

I always thought Crayon would make a good name.

LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops · 30/11/2012 10:58

I know, it is funny that more people haven't used it...but great news for you - go for it.

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