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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Would you rather...

85 replies

Gremlinothefirst · 25/06/2017 20:48

... have a really unusual name (ie not in the top 1000 names in the U.K. but is not a made up name) that might (or might not) put you at risk of teasing at school, or have a common, traditional name that is having a surge in popularity right now such that you'd probably know lots of others your age?

This is the choice we are trying to make for our son, born last week, no name! I don't want to say what the names are but it would be the equivalent of Ignatius versus George.

Lack of sleep is making it very hard to think straight. Help!

OP posts:

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yikesanotherbooboo · 26/06/2017 12:20

I have a common name and never minded at all ... there was always one other at least around.i had the option of my less common first name but didn't like the fact that it picked me out or that I always had to spell it.in fact I rather liked the fact that my name was frequently used as it almost made me feel part of a community.
My DH had an unusual name that he still detests ... he resents his mother's vanity in choosing it.
Our children have traditional easy to spell names appropriate to our culture... not top 10 but known to all ...

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/06/2017 12:11

Well it all depends on the individual names rather than ‘popular names – bad’, ‘unusual names – good’. Some names are unusual because they’re plug ugly and some are unusual because they’re forgotten gems.

Try each name out on him for a day or two and then pick the name that sticks. And congrats!

Original poster

Gremlinothefirst · 26/06/2017 12:06

lol love the rhyme guesses haha. I know I am being annoying not saying the names, soz. And I appreciate all your opinions in the absence of the names. I guess in a way it's more helpful to me that way because otherwise I will get opinions based on those specific names rather than the concept of unusual vs traditional so I do appreciate it. I think I'm erring towards traditional first

OP posts:

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/06/2017 11:57

Simple Simeon met a Pimeon going to the fair.

ScarletSienna · 26/06/2017 11:55

Ah Humphrey as in Humphrey Dumpty!
I was thinking Simeon as in Simple Simeon met a Pimeon going to the fair.

Why do you think there is a risk of teasing? Is it just because it is unusual or something more?

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/06/2017 11:35

I bet it's Humphrey.

Thatextrainch · 26/06/2017 11:28

Very much depends on the names. Unusual names aren't always crazy. For example, statistically Kirsty is unusual for babies now.

We were in the same situation. Liked two names, one top 30, one around 900th in popularity. We ended up going for the less popular name. It can sometimes be a pain as I often have to repeat her name but otherwise I'm happy with it. She has a top 100 middle name.

With the top 30 name we liked, we've only come across one in 2 years.

ShuttyTown · 26/06/2017 10:08

Fucking hell all the secrecy over two names.

KoalaDownUnder · 26/06/2017 10:08

Unusual name, as long as it's not downright silly/embarrassing.

harderandharder2breathe · 26/06/2017 10:02

I have an unusual first name and popular middle name. I have never really liked either name (middle name is Louise and I just never liked the sound of it)

I'd say go for the popular traditional name. Especially if there's a variety of shortenings that would give DS some choice later (my first name was deliberately chosen to have no natural shortening)

halcyondays · 26/06/2017 09:08

depends what the names are.

Original poster

Gremlinothefirst · 26/06/2017 08:59

I take your point about middle names @ballondinosaur , my mum has this problem. Which makes it even harder to decide as there's more pressure!!

@tinhead I probably prefer the common name and OH the uncommon one, but equally there is a part of me that wants him to have an unusual name.

The teasing factor... the name sounds a little bit like the name of a character in a silly children's song. Pretty tenuous to be honest, I don't think any worse than Willy etc.

Don't worry, it's not Norbert or cuthbert I think it's quite a strong masculine name, possibly a bit grand for a baby but sadly they don't stay like that for long.

So tricky.

OP posts:

tinhead · 25/06/2017 23:12

Just pick the name you like most. Not based on popularity.

twofloorsup · 25/06/2017 23:04

I went for unusual with two of mine and their names became very popular in the next few years !

Ellypoo · 25/06/2017 23:02

Unusual- although that is what we went for and there's another child starting school in her class in Sept with them same name! V disappointed but bloody typical!!!

BalloonDinosaur · 25/06/2017 23:01

Yes we will probably give both, one as middle name so there will be a choice when he is older either way - to be more or less unusual depending.

As someone who goes by their middle name (parents choice not mine, have always been known as Dinosaur but my first name is Balloon) I find it a huge ballache.

Constantly have to explain it, all official documents come addressed to Balloon, have to answer to a name that isn't mine in job interviews etc.
I was once pulled over by policeman who was less than impressed when I got my own name wrong

Absolutely give your DC the option of going by middle name if they wish, but call them by whichever one you chose as their first name.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/06/2017 22:56

I wouldn't use the unusual one as the first name if it was particularly tricky to spell or pronounce, personally.

CashelGirl · 25/06/2017 22:51

Unusual name for me. Both of my daughters have unusual (but not weird) names and they are the only ones in their school. I have actually googled them 😚 and I think they are the only people with their whole name! Which will be great if they become world renowned scientists or something, less great if they become serial killers....

Unadon · 25/06/2017 22:50

There are good unusual names and unusual names that are unusual for a reason, so it's really hard to say without knowing any more details.

grufallosfriend · 25/06/2017 22:42

The less popular, more interesting name!

We sometimes forget why we name someone, to identify him/her!

In what way is the unusual name teasable? Is it worse than Willy with William or Bendy Dick with Benedict!?

MsPassepartout · 25/06/2017 22:35

Depends on the names of course, but I'd probably lean towards the more popular name.

Especially if the concerns about teasing are based on anything other than the name being unpopular right now.

RideOn · 25/06/2017 22:34

Depends on the names, obvs but I did classic common name then more unusual name I love as middle name with my first, but still feel a bit split about decision!

Augustbabyyeah · 25/06/2017 22:31

Traditional.

flupi · 25/06/2017 22:27

I gave my son a popular classic first name and an unusual middle name thinking that if he wanted to he could go for the more arty middle as he got older if it suited his personality more. He never has and is extremely glad I did it that way round!

squoosh · 25/06/2017 22:26

As long as it's not Norbert. Or Cuthbert. Or Cecil. Or Egbert.

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