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Baby names

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

Original poster

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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Happymchappyface · 08/05/2026 21:59

BisB · 08/05/2026 19:32

I'm nervous about revealing it, but it's Nazareth.

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I was going to guess that. I used to work with a woman called Nazareth. She was lovely. If you like the name go for it.

AgentPidge · 08/05/2026 21:57

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 08/05/2026 19:15

We chose a name that seems to be pretty universally disliked in RL (it has mostly positive feedback on MN). When we announced the name, we were met with a few seconds of silence while people worked out something polite to say… “Oh, how unusual”, or “that’s a very old name.”

DH and I like the name, and more importantly, DD who has to live with it, likes it too. And everyone who disliked it has got used to it.

I am happy to share the name, btw. It’s Esther.

That's a gorgeous name.

LiftAndCoast · 08/05/2026 21:55

Nazareth is the name of the main character in Suzette Haden Elgin's book 'Native Tongue' which is a Handmaid's Tale-style feminist dystopian novel. That's what I thought of first but it's probably obscure enough that few others will.

I wouldn't choose it myself but I don't think it's terrible! I've heard far worse names. I'd say go for it if you like it.

NorthFacingGardener · 08/05/2026 21:48

It wouldn’t be my preference but a lot of kids have “unusual” names these days so I really don’t think anyone will bat an eyelid.

It’s quite a nice sounding name. Although it would be slightly odd if your other DC have very conventional names.

Friendshipproooblem · 08/05/2026 21:42

Would you like the name for yourself OP? Truly? All the way through primary and secondary into adulthood? Because you do seem embarrassed by it.

If you can honestly say you would have loved it through the tricky times at school, then sure. And if you live somewhere it would be accepted. But if you can’t, why give that to your baby?

I’m all for unusual names usually, btw.

HellenicOfTroy · 08/05/2026 21:41

I really like Nazarene/Nazreen and Nazaré.

NewbieSM · 08/05/2026 21:40

Honestly OP yes you may like it but that’s not the most important consideration despite what others are saying. You need to think about the 5 year old version of your daughter starting school, the teen, the young woman in her twenties starting out in the world. Is this name going to hinder or help her? I think it would be different if all your children had similarly unusual religious names but they don’t so she will stick out like a sore thumb not only amongst her peers but also her family.

AngelinaFibres · 08/05/2026 21:34

Sounds like a boy's name

BrickProblems · 08/05/2026 21:33

I think it’s fine. No worse than Jordan or Bethany.

AWeeCupOfTeaAndAnIndividualFruitTrifle · 08/05/2026 21:30

SpringingOn · 08/05/2026 20:40

I would have thought Naz would be a common shortening. Can't see anyone thinking to shorten it to Nazi. I would go with Nazreen though probably if you like Naz (which I do).

Yes, I think Nazreen (or even Nazarene - which is a person from the place, rather than just a place itself) would be much nicer.

gozzlebear · 08/05/2026 21:27

I do resent my parents a bit for my name. It’s unfair and childish of me but they set me up for a lifetime of annoying questions, spelling my name and standing out and sometimes I just really want to blend in. That said, it is unusual and timeless; I’m not another Clare or Helen or Rachel I suppose!

Dodorogers · 08/05/2026 21:24

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?

I gave my son a name everyone told me not and I love it and everyone else does now. So many people use unusual names now no one will care when she is older. Just do it!

Floppyearedlab · 08/05/2026 21:22

BisB · 08/05/2026 19:32

I'm nervous about revealing it, but it's Nazareth.

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In Spain it is popular.

modgepodge · 08/05/2026 21:20

I don’t know why it would be shortened to Nazi?! There are lots of other names which start with Naz, do they get shortened to Nazi? As above, the starting sounds in Nazareth and nazi are different.

It’s not my cup of tea OP but it’s not dreadful, I can’t see people really hating it.

timoteigirl · 08/05/2026 21:19

I expected something much much worse. There are babies with place names. Much better than Harlow for example. Although Bethlehem could be cool too.

HanaPort · 08/05/2026 21:17

I live in Portugal and our neighbour is called Nazaré (ie the translation of Nazareth). It's not even close to being the most our there religious name I've heard here (Puri, short for Maria of Purification anyone?). So there are cultural equivalents in other countries if that makes you feel any more confident about the name!

hyggetyggedotorg · 08/05/2026 21:15

For me, it depends where your DD will be growing up. In a multicultural city I’m sure nobody will bat an eyelid at Nazareth. And by adulthood, she will just be known as Naz & again, nobody will question. It would stick out like a sore thumb where we are though & she would constantly be explaining her name.

I do like it, much better than all the Aurora’s, Lily-Mae’s & Harpers we keep getting here. But would I be brave enough? Probably not.

butimamonstersaidthemonster · 08/05/2026 21:14

If she goes to school in the uk Christmas will be hell. Every single nativity. Every song that has the word Nazareth in it. I wouldn’t. Would you want to be called Nazareth.

plus with everything going on in Israel it does have certain connotations I wouldn’t be happy with in a possible future.

Ontheedge123 · 08/05/2026 21:14

It’s fine. In the nicest possible way that was a real anticlimax! Was expecting something really horrific!

LivingTheDreamish · 08/05/2026 21:08

I like it - wasn’t expecting to! She can be Naz or Naza. It’s pretty and while connected with Jesus it’s still primarily a place name and doesn’t have a negative connotation. If it has meaning to you, use it. Everyone will get used to it and it will just be her name.

ButterYellowFlowers · 08/05/2026 21:08

ButterYellowFlowers · 08/05/2026 20:38

The Naz in Nazareth and the Naz in Nazi are pronounced quite differently… nah-zh versus Nath-zee

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That was meant to say ‘naat-zee’ not sure why it came out wrong

grrrlatrix · 08/05/2026 21:08

I love it!

ACR7 · 08/05/2026 21:04

It wouldn’t be my choice but I don’t think it’s really bad. If you like it I’d go for it

MerryGuide · 08/05/2026 21:03

Oh I really like it!

AbbieDabbieDoo · 08/05/2026 20:57

BettyRubblecausestrouble · 08/05/2026 20:49

Heavy rock band from 70s called Nazarath…

I think this is why it sounds like a boy's name to me - "I'm a bad bad boy and I'm gonna steal your love"