Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on having a really rare name?

188 replies

reeny19 · 30/11/2018 13:59

So I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant and we’ve had to seriously start deciding on names.

I’m torn between traditional, timeless ‘normal’ names but there are two very rare names that I love (one for a boy, one for a girl). I was expecting DH to veto my unusual names but he hasn’t and wants to use them!

What are your thoughts on rare names? Do you have one yourself? did you love/hate it or experience any problems with it? Did you name your own child something rare and how did you get on? What did your family think? Do you know of any children with rare names? Is it quite normal nowadays for children to have unusual names?

My issue with unusual names is that it’s does mean that the child will lose a degree of anonymity. I can also foresee my family disliking the names, people being confused when they hear it, struggling with spelling, remembering it, pronounciation etc.

Help please! Grin

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ZebraKid71 · 30/11/2018 14:11

I've only ever met one other person with my name in real life and it would be unusual for a baby now. As a child I was shy and hated it as nobody could pronounce it and I hated speaking out to correct them. It always brought focus on me and led to conversation.

As an adult I absolutely love it. I never use my last name, everybody remembers me, I get so many compliments on it and it is a huge part of my identity.

When we had dd1 I didn't want to give her a really unusual name but my dh has a really normal name, think like Steve, and he wanted something unusual.

We compromised on Anneka, as its known but not common but if she is a shy child and wants to blend in she can go by Annie.

Original poster
reeny19 · 30/11/2018 14:11

Oh god Starbucks! There’s so much to consider Grin

See, my name is uncommon. Which I love. However at school I was very shy and wanted to blend in, which isn’t easy when you’re the only one with that name. But school is a distant memory now so I’ve forgotten the trauma and may now inflict similar name problems on my future sprog!

First time I met someone with my name I was 19. But the thing is, my name isn’t that out there, so everyone’s heard of it, knows how to spell it, Starbucks employees can cope with it etc. So I never had any major problems.

OP posts:
Bobbiepin · 30/11/2018 14:10

I have a name that isn't used often, and go by a nickname which is more commonly a boy's name. Pair that with an usual and never spelled correctly surname (even after marrying) and I'd do without it tbh. If I'd been called Emily Smith my life wouldn't be significantly better but my knowledge of the phonetic alphabet would be significantly worse.

Winterwonderland12 · 30/11/2018 14:10

I have a rare but very recognisable name and I love it! I never need to add my surname initial or other adjective before or after my name.

Yvbmioasp · 30/11/2018 14:09

No way would I give a child a rare name.

Nesssie · 30/11/2018 14:08

^ obviously those made up names are just examples, but the different is between it actually being a word or it being a made up name/unique spelling.

Vedette89 · 30/11/2018 14:08

I love rare names. Far better than a 'unique' spelling of a normal name!

Nesssie · 30/11/2018 14:07

I have a very rare name. Hate it. No one gets it right, its spelt different on every document I receive at work. Emails rarely get to me first time, as they usually spell my name wrong. Embarrassing to have to keep repeating it, spell it out etc.

If the name is an actual word (Sage, Moon etc) - still terrible but I guess at least it will be understood and spelt correctly. But if its like mine, and something like 'Linessica' (Linda and Jessica put together) or 'Vangelica' (Vanessa and Angelica) then I honestly wouldn't do it.

KittiesInsane · 30/11/2018 14:04

Is it quite normal nowadays for children to have unusual names?

It's quite funny to watch the mild indignation when the parents of two Seraphinas or two Edrics bump into each other. How rare is 'very rare' -- have you checked that your choices aren't having a moment of mad popularity?

SallyWD · 30/11/2018 14:03

I have a rare name. Only in the last year have I met someone with the same name. I LOVE having a rare name. It makes me feel unique and special. I can't imagine what it's like to have a common name where I'd know several people with the same name as me!

Disfordarkchocolate · 30/11/2018 14:03

Only about 25 babies were given my name last year, I've only ever met one other. However, it's a name people have heard of and can generally spell it. I prefer rare to using a unique spelling.

Pebblespony · 30/11/2018 14:02

Also, do you know anyone with an usual name? Could you ask them if they found it a bit of a hassle or if they liked it? We went for run of the mill names.

Pebblespony · 30/11/2018 14:00

Just tell your child to never go to Starbucks Grin.

Swipe left for the next trending thread