to tell friend that her baby name choice is not unusual?

[toastofthetown]

My friend is expecting her first baby later this year. As I’m massively interested in baby names I asked her if she had anything in mind. She said she wanted something unique and is planning on using Aurora. I said that Aurora is a gorgeous name, but has risen hugely in popularity over the last few years and is now in the top hundred. My friend seemed annoyed with this and told me that it is a very uncommon name with only a few born each year, so I just changed the subject.

Since then I’ve been wondering if I said the wrong thing. Was I unreasonable to point out how popular the name is? I wouldn’t have said anything bad about the name itself, but l didn’t want her to regret her choice later, because she didn’t know about the sudden spike in popularity.

I used to be friends with someone ( who accused me of trying to get with her fiancé who looked like Shrek ) who has 2 dd's with "very unique names"

Abbie and Evie haha. She's that thick.

I think people are sometimes just a bit sensitive over their choice of name. It's such a personal thing.

A pregnant colleague asked me today what my daughter's name is.

Madeleine was the reply. She then went on to say that she could never call her baby that, because of Madeleine McCann.

Think it, don't say it!

Called my son Joshua because my mother used to dance round singing "Joshua Joshua Nicer than lemon squash you are, a nice memory of her being entertainingly weird..." At that time it was unusual. The following year it had become the fourth most popular boy's name. I think names float about in a pool of unconsciousness and a few swim to the top every year. Then we each think in perfect unison that we've spotted something new!

I'd have kept quiet, happy that she wasn't calling it banana or melon.

I'd let her think that and figure it out for herself personally

If she’s chosen it specifically for that reason then I’d be happy if someone pointed out it’s rising popularity

I chose a name for my daughter that has only been in the top 100 once in 10 years order. Out of 29 girls in her year she is one of three that have the same name

I think Aurora is pretty and has an actual, you know, Meaning but is pretty hard for most people to get out of their mouths correctly. It's also a name I'd consider if my baby was actually born at sunrise, but not sure I'd decide to call my baby 'Dawn' before it was born...

I think what you said was correct. People will always have opinions about a name.

You've done nothing wrong! Aren't you supposed to be honest with friends?

I follow someone on Instagram whose kids all have middle names like Unicorn Prince, Egg butty and Santa Claus..

#truestory

The ONLY correct response to anyone’s name choice is “oh yes that’s lovely”. THE ONLY CORRECT RESPONSE.

I think your friend is being massively oversensitive. I don't see anything at all wrong with you mentioning her name choice isn't as unique as she thinks it is . That's what friends do. It's called banter. She's not very imaginative if she thinks she's chosen a really unique name.
Just leave her to stew and don't worry about it.

You've stepped on a hornets nest. People are very sensitive about this. Don't ever tell someone their choice of name is common. Also, a name can be in the top 100 and still be uncommon. Girls' names are so varied and unusual that she might go years without meeting another Aurora. It doesn't take many examples to be in the top 100. Don't be a know it all. She can look that stuff up herself if she wants to.

OP definitely BU for saying that. And more for coming here and asking, when really you are looking for confirmation that you were right.

Hideous in our local accent too which I'd never really thought of.

I immediately thought “ooh, Aurora would sound bad in Liverpudlian!” Any name ending in eurehh would 😂

It’s pretty naff, but you didn’t say that; as PP said you wanted to let her know it wasn’t as uncommon as she’d perhaps thought. I wish people would call their children normal names, as an adult I always love it when I meet a child who shares my name, which is becoming common again. When I was a child I also liked the positive bond I felt with book characters and other children who had the same name.

As I’m massively interested in baby names I asked her if she had anything in mind.

The long winters nights must fly by chez OP.

Yes you were U, you committed the double-foul of commenting on a baby name and sounding like a know all.

Ooh, Aurora - it's actually a really beautiful name and I think very unusual. Well I've never met one anyway!

I doubt you offended her. If she is offended, she is being quite unreasonable. Why would saying a name is popular be an insult?

@gummygoddess I named my daughter in 2011 but it doesn’t actually show on this chart?!

I quite like Briar. Aurora is the sound a dog makes when chewing a toffee.

Better call the baby Nigel then. Not a single one in 2016. Especially unique for a girl.

My poor boys names are ridiculously common. Jack, Tom and Ollie. I just loved the names though!

I had my Aurora is 2011. Named after the Aurora Borealis though. Never heard of this Disney Princess stuff, but no one we know watches Disney so I guess that is why. I think it is sweet it is increasing in popularity. My husband and I are both Astronomers so all 5 of our children have celestrial names.

Aurora is my middle name and i am old we also have 3 others in my family all under 4 .

Your friend is being silly...let her get on with. X