Unusual names

Never share a name before the child arrives.
Just because someone else has used it as a name doesn't mean it's not "youneeq"

I have an unusual name and people either compliment it or say something along the lines of "oh, that's unusual" then ask a question about its origin - I think this is a pretty standard social response to encountering unusual names as I get the same reaction to my DDs (known just not commonly used) No one has ever been negative about either to my face and I love not having to use my last name often.

I have an unusual name and I like it. I didn't have to use a surname at school and people don't muddle me up.

DD has an unusual name, but it shortens to a common one. It will be up to DD which one gets used as she grows up.

All her grandparents prefer to use the shortened "common" name, which did seem like a happy compromise. Everyone my age (and hers) seems fine with the unusual name... It is just some of the older generation that don't like it.

But I'm glad we kept the name we like. DD likes it too.

But yes I'd never tell anyone before baby arrives. You're only asking for trouble!!!

People who criticise the name of someone's child to their face are socially inept though, if you ask me.

Yes, sometimes we get 'oh that's... interesting? How do you spell that?' Even though it's very easy to spell and just like it's pronounced.

But it doesn't bother me.

I judge people who are dull enough to name their children something out of the top 50 names so if they judge me in return for being 'odd' I'd have that anyday.

But yes agree with PP in that we told no one prior to her being born what we'd chosen

Yes our daughter has an unusual, unisex name (not unheard of) and we got some strange reactions tbh. Mostly in the hospital from hcps which annoyed me a lot! However, I love the name and it suits her to a tee so no regrets

DS has an unusual name - a real one, but not very popular. About 30 kids a year the last few years.

Never had a negative comment, just a few odd looks and "you don't get many little ones called that nowadays!"

Most hate I've seen for it is on mumsnet, where I've seen it as a bit of a pisstake name

Yes, we did. No comments to our face but am sure there were a few we didn't hear!

What we did do however was make sure that a. there was a nice, easy to spell, familiar(ish) shortening that we liked . Not sure we would have gone with it if this wasn't possible, and b. gave middle name alternatives they could use as an adult if they wished, without too much hassle. Only fair, really.

I always think it is best not to reveal the chosen name before the birth as others seem to think they can enter the debate, when it is in reality none of their business.

One of my DDs floated a few names prior to birth and I just smiled sweetly and hoped she would choose the one I liked - she didn't!!

Totally depends - is it unusual or made up/'yoounniiiique'? Is it a less unusual name but spelt differently? Does it mean something offensive (there was a thread on here not long ago about someone wanting to call their little boy 'Aryan' - as in the race which Hitler believed to be superior!).

If it is just unusual then don't worry about it. If it is ridiculous or offensive then think of the impact it will have on your child as they grow up.

Also, why SHOULD everyone have the same taste? That would be boring and we'd all have the same names

We chose unusual names (only used less than 50 times that year) and are super happy with our choices . As are our kids.

We have an unusual name, but nobody has ever said to my face that they don't like it.
Those people are either very rude, or you've chosen an awful name