How important in popularity when choosing names?

DD was 2008, and I deliberately avoided the popular names, like Emily, Chloe, Olivia etc, and the name that I liked was 176/200. She was the only one in primary school 1/178 pupils and 1 of 2 in her secondary school of 700 pupils.

The name isn't out there, it's perfectly normal , it's just not run of the mill. She likes it. It can be shortened, I don't like it as the short version makes me think of another name not her name, but she's old enough to know what she wants to be known as.

I didn't want my children to have a faddy name. I wasn't so fussed if it was popular. So I wanted a name that I knew 80 year olds, 50 year olds, 30 year olds etc with.

I didn't quite manage it with my second. His name is much more "of the moment' than I would have wanted But it wasnt just up to me.

For some reason it was very important to me to avoid a popular name. I went to school with a bunch of Michelles, Melanies and Tanias so I wanted to avoid recreating that. Two names I had loved since childhood- Penelope and Hazel - I had to abandon when they were used by Hollywood celebrities because I was worried there would be a flood. I suppose it’s the same as what other posters have said in that they didn’t want a name that could be linked to a decade.

Not everyone minds having a popular name though, I don't.

I didn't want mine to have a top 10 name but I don't mind them having a top 100 name. Especially with how more varied names are these days.

very important although their popularity changes.
DS1 name was 91st the year before they were born (when we chose it) and then has been as high as 19.
DS2 was 152, now up to 75!

I didn’t think of that at all. I just chose name options I liked and then chose from them with my DH.

The only name I’ve ever seen bullied is William with Willy! And that’s a pretty popular name.

Actually, you can reduce the probability of a name becoming very popular by avoiding the top 100 names. Yes, names can still rise in popularity from outside the top100 but at least you’re reducing the likelihood.

There are SO many beautiful and memorable names to choose from, even outside the top250. We should all be a little braver and choose more interesting names for our children imo. I certainly wish my parents had tried a little harder!

And yes, I could change my name, but tbh that would be a real hassle. The name isn’t bad, it’s just an overused boring name that was popular when I was born.

I don't think it matters much anymore as there is more variety. In the 90's, you'd have a class full of Jessica, Emily, Laura, Hannah, and Megan. Nowadays, even the most common names aren't likely to have more than a couple in a year group.

I personally don't like super unique names. I prefer names everyone has heard of and can spell.

My baby is called Daisy Eloise. I went with this as it's modern, but also classic and has been in and out of fashion for many years.

Ultimately though, it's just not important. Pick a name you like, and try not to choose something that will get your kid bullied.

All you can do is pick a name you like- you can’t foresee what will be popular over the next few years, which other children will be in your child’s class or whether your child is one who will resent having a popular name or an unusual name. Deliberately setting out to have either a popular or unpopular name is just a hostage to fortune.

I really think it depends where you live. Where we are English names are very much in the minority in my children’s classes and so the fact that a name is popular really doesn’t register.

Me too. I'm another who had multiple other girls with the same name in my class all through thirteen years of school, and never responded spontaneously to my name, because the chances were it was one of the other Xs who was being called. It was a fairly dreary experience. My parents also definitely chose the name to be generic. Their idea of a good name is one that wouldn't stand out from the crowd.

Popular names are popular because they're nice but I did personally avoid the top 100 names.

But, like people have said, things change. My second choice name for my DD was Elodie, which was unusual at the time, now I keep hearing it everywhere. My friends named their son Louis and we very annoyed when, a year later, Prince Louis was born as they knew that would mean the name would get more popular 😂

My three girls all have names that are very unusual, two moreso than the third, but even she has only met one other with her name. The two boys have very conventional, timeless boys names. None of them have ever complained, despite the fact that my eldest son has met many many others with his exact name (first and surname). We gave them all two middle names in case they preferred to go by one of those instead, but they have all 'become' their names and don't want to change.

I'd caution against using popularity as a guideline, because the national statistics don't show what's popular around you anyway.

My DS1 has a name which can be spelled one of two ways. One spelling is outside the top 400 most popular names, and the other is outside the top 500. DS2 has a name in the top 40 most popular.

We honestly meet more children with DS1's name than DS2's. There is another boy with the same name in DS1's year at school (55 children). There is no-one in his year with DS2's name, nor any of its nicknames.

I would/did avoid the names of relatives and really close friends, unless actively aiming to name a child after them, but apart from that I'd definitely just go for the name you like.

We just chose names we liked.

I avoided popular names because my own name was so popular. I know my Mum loved the name and pre-internet it was much harder to find out if names were becoming popular. It's at the 'timeless classic' end of popular names but TBH that makes it even more blah, it feels like a nothing name.

She's 12 now and well able to share her opinion and she loves her name and doesn't give a 'hoot' that its popular.

Sorry you don't like yours.

Change it then.

I absolutely love the name Ava, obviously a very popular top 10 name.
If my 3yo had been a girl he’d have been Ava. In the 3 years since I’ve been taking him to baby/toddler classes, nursery, even overheard in the playground, I haven’t heard the name used once! (I have been looking out for it to see if it’s usable in future !) I realise this will be very very different for everyone, but here in Cornwall I haven’t come across it at all. So now that I am pregnant again, it’s still a consideration if this baby is a girl.

Edited to add, I love Nara out of your suggestions.

You also never know what will happen with a names popularity.

My sons name wasn't in the top 50 when he was born and now it is top 10!
My daughters name has never been in the top 100 but it is still a recognisable "normal" name.

I have one of the most popular names of my era, and I hate it. I was always ‘Emma F’ (not the name, but similar) at school, and now it’s just boring. And it really dates me.

I agree with PP’s observation about classic vs trendy names. I wouldn’t pick Mia/ Lyla / Harper ect - for boys Arlo seems to be the equivalent near me. But Edward or Charlotte, fine. Especially if they’ve got lots of possible shortenings.

As I said, I hate having a popular name.

I honestly think there’s ‘popular’ but then, underneath that, it’s very regional.

For example, there’s a thread on here about the name Harris; someone replied saying it’s a very common Scottish name and she’s knows three. I’m Scottish and have literally never met or heard of a Harris.

@Reddelilah , Children usually like their own name.