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Baby names

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

Would you choose a baby name you know most people dislike?

162 replies

BisB · 08/05/2026 18:39

We're considering giving our daughter a name that we already know is going to be almost universally disliked. It's a very uncommon name (don't think there have been any registered in the UK). We both think it's pretty, and it has (religious) meaning for us. Our other children have more common names that are generally liked by the majority of people. We have saved this name prior to this baby because I haven't been brave enough to use it. DH really wants to just go for it. He couldn't care less about what other people think, but I am more concerned that they're going to be cruel and judgemental and think that we were trying too hard to be "unique" (which isn't our intention). I would like to avoid saying the name on this thread because I am looking for opinions on the situation rather than opinions on the name itself. What would you do?

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FartNRoses · 02/07/2026 09:11

I quite like that! It will definitely be shortened to Naz by your child because I can safely say he will hate it 🤷🏻‍♀️

luckylavender · 02/07/2026 08:50

I don’t hate it but it sounds male to me

Ipsevenenabibas · 02/07/2026 08:49

I'm Catholic and think that's a very cool name!

Tonissister · 02/07/2026 08:43

We chose a name that was in the family a couple of generations back. Then became a trendy name with 'bad boy' reputations. It's loathed on MN. I don't care. I still love it and Ds has never been a bad boy.

CorvusPurpureus · 02/07/2026 08:39

I worked with a Spanish woman called Nazareth. I thought it was really pretty, actually - it flows well & sounds…cheerful?

She did inevitably get Naz, but that’s quite cool.

There was a 70s rock band called Nazareth who were quite successful, but I don’t think they had any horribly embarrassing hits…

I would totally go for it. Nothing wrong with a faith based name, or there wouldn’t be millions of Marys, Mohameds & Samuels all over the world.

NarnianQueen · 02/07/2026 08:01

Oh, Nazareth is beautiful!
I’m surprised it hasn’t become a popular name, maybe you’d start a trend!

Riddo · 02/07/2026 07:37

I really like it.

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 02/07/2026 06:55

No I wouldn’t.
If anything it sounds like a man’s name. People will assume before meeting her that she is a man.
It is far too religious. Imagine being an atheist with a name like that,
My mind immediately went to Jesus.
See point above. She will always be asked are your parents devout Christian’s.
Its just not nice.

CurlewKate · 02/07/2026 06:39

FungibleAssets · 01/07/2026 15:07

Honestly, I think that says more about the people in the park. I mean, clearly we should all just go with Jack and Sophie.

That’s such a daft thing to say. There are a million names. It’s not a choice between Jack and Mahershalalhashbaz.(genuine biblical name, by the way-although I may have misspelled it. Presumably never used for anyone except Ezekiel’s poor son)

FungibleAssets · 01/07/2026 15:07

BookishBobby · 01/07/2026 14:40

I remember, a few years ago, being in a play park with the junior members of the family. A parent yelled "Leopold!" (not the real name, it was much more uncommon) Everyone looked up, wondering whether a child or a dog would come running. When a little boy ran up to the parent, there was a lot of side eye, barely hidden smirks etc from the parents in the park

Unfortunately, even though I like the sound of the word Nazareth, I think you and your child run the risk of the above scenario.

Honestly, I think that says more about the people in the park. I mean, clearly we should all just go with Jack and Sophie.

TAS123 · 01/07/2026 15:02

Nazareth is actually really cute she could always have a more common name as a nickname like Zara, I think go for it

BookishBobby · 01/07/2026 14:40

I remember, a few years ago, being in a play park with the junior members of the family. A parent yelled "Leopold!" (not the real name, it was much more uncommon) Everyone looked up, wondering whether a child or a dog would come running. When a little boy ran up to the parent, there was a lot of side eye, barely hidden smirks etc from the parents in the park

Unfortunately, even though I like the sound of the word Nazareth, I think you and your child run the risk of the above scenario.

CurlewKate · 01/07/2026 14:06

The obvious shortening, Naz, is an Urdu ( I think) name, which might prove confusing…

beeble347 · 01/07/2026 13:30

PurpleNightingale · 08/05/2026 18:50

I think the important question is why it is disliked so much,

If because people say they associate it with a famous person of that name- like Myra- I'd say go for it, name associations change and are forgotten all the time.

If it is because it sounds like an STD- I would probably not.

If its just old fashioned- Doris say- I'd say go for it, fashions change and a lot of names cycle in and out of popularity.

For what its worth people were pretty negative before I called our son Felix (that's a cat name!) but after he was here they said they actually really liked it on him.

Edited

I actually love the name Felix! Gorgeous name. Also very popular and traditional in Spain.

Anyway OP - try testing the name out, give it as a name for an order in Starbucks (or similar) where the name will be called out, order packages to the house under this name, see how you feel seeing it used in the real world.

And yes I would, in answer to your question. If it's got beautiful meaning to you, you love it and you don't think you're setting DC up for obvious bullying or ridicule, then go for it.

FungibleAssets · 01/07/2026 13:07

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 01/07/2026 12:58

Just the ticket for the first day of July!

Alas, I gave birth to a Christmas lover who insists (despite now being a teenager) on starting the festive season with a family viewing of The Christmas Chronicles every July! He also has a soft spot for Deck the Halls, Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, and Nativity! 1 and 2! Shoot me now, but I could probably put a tea towel on my head and do all the songs from Nativity!😫

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 01/07/2026 12:58

FungibleAssets · 01/07/2026 12:42

Did you just give me a Nativity! ear worm?? Thanks!😃

Just the ticket for the first day of July!

FungibleAssets · 01/07/2026 12:42

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 01/07/2026 12:12

"Things are really cool in Nazareth..."

It would be a big name to wear as an adult atheist, if that is what she ends up being. Give her the most standard, top-five, popular middle name you can think of so that she has the choice of going by this as an adult if she wishes.

Did you just give me a Nativity! ear worm?? Thanks!😃

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 01/07/2026 12:12

"Things are really cool in Nazareth..."

It would be a big name to wear as an adult atheist, if that is what she ends up being. Give her the most standard, top-five, popular middle name you can think of so that she has the choice of going by this as an adult if she wishes.

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 29/06/2026 09:36

I like it as a word but not a girl’s name. I don’t think it’s pretty at all… I think it sounds quite harsh.

Like a couple of PPs I also immediately thought of the hard rock band from the 1970s (they’re from my town, and my granny knew one of them!)

Also immediately thought of Nazi as a possible shortening which is not ideal.

Nothavingagoodvalentinesday · 29/06/2026 08:47

Don’t do it! It’s cruel.

Patricia69 · 23/06/2026 12:31

Esther is a beautiful name

Calliopespa · 13/05/2026 23:51

It isn't awful Op, and the religious connotation isn't a problem for me.

It's just, is this actually a girls name or are you doing a Brooklyn? I'm not a great fan of place names as names.

Lins77 · 13/05/2026 18:39

SleepingDogsLie · 13/05/2026 18:29

That’s so funny, I know a few Esthers and I never thought that much about it. I wouldn’t have thought it was a Marmite name!

I think it’s lovely to have a name that everyone is familiar with but that still isn’t that common IYSWIM.

Agree, I've always liked the name Esther and am surprised it seems disliked!

Biblical names are popular nowadays (Noah, etc) so I can't see why Esther should seem odd.

tooloololoo · 13/05/2026 18:38

What about Nazanin?

tooloololoo · 13/05/2026 18:35

If you’re nervous about it
Imagine how your child would feel?

that’s cruel.

and I don’t like the name for obvious reasons.
sorry.

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