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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!

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RaingodsWithZippos · 25/06/2017 22:06

Common name. DH has a classic but old fashioned name that isn't that popular (Norbert) and he hates it. He goes by his middle name because he was teased at school. His siblings all have much more normal names.

WithCheesePlease · 25/06/2017 22:07

Difficult to say as there's unusual names that sound really nice, even if you've never heard them before, and there's some which sound awful. Equally there's popular names that are nice and not nice.... Give us a hint 😏

squoosh · 25/06/2017 22:10

DH has a classic but old fashioned name that isn't that popular (Norbert) and he hates it.

Poor bloke! It doesn't get much worse than Norbert really. What were his parents thinking I wonder.

ScarletSienna · 25/06/2017 22:14

If you can already guess there's a risk of teasing because of the unusual name then definitely the popular name.

Hotpinkangel19 · 25/06/2017 22:14

Common

reuset · 25/06/2017 22:18

It depends on the names, and how unusual the unusual name really is. I received a few PMs off the back of a recent thread of genuinely unusual, but they also sensible, 'proper' names. Something along those lines would be fine.

reuset · 25/06/2017 22:19

they were* also sensible

NoncommittalToSparkleMotion · 25/06/2017 22:19

Popular name.

HolyGhost · 25/06/2017 22:20

My son's name didn't even appear on the stats for his year of birth, which will tell you where I stand on it. He's never been teased, either, despite being in a class with three Alices, two Imogens, two Georges, two Louis, a Jack, a Harrison and a Harry. I don't see why he would, any more than the Sikh boys are for their long hair, mini-turbans, and Sikh names.

Original poster

Gremlinothefirst · 25/06/2017 22:24

Thanks for your responses so far... oh dear seems like a split opinion! I don't want to say the names because the unusual one is so identifying. The unusual one is not a horrible or embarrassing name, I don't think. Some people won't like it tho just cos no one likes everything and unusual names tend to be more decisive by their nature (otherwise they'd be popular!)

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. Literally cannot go back to the drawing board, it took us long enough to get to these names! DH is probably more keen on the unusual one. I am more risk averse. So stressed and don't want to make the wrong decision.

OP posts:

squoosh · 25/06/2017 22:26

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

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!

Augustbabyyeah · 25/06/2017 22:31

Traditional.

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!

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.

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!?

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.

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....

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.

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.

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!!!

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 !

tinhead · 25/06/2017 23:12

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

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:

halcyondays · 26/06/2017 09:08

depends what the names are.

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