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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wish I hadn't called my daughter Ruby?

211 replies

gonenative · 27/02/2010 23:23

When me and DH chose her name 6 years ago, we didn't know any Rubys (or any kids for that matter!) and liked the feisty sound of it. We actually thought we were being pretty original.

It was the MOST popular girl's name in 2007, 2nd in 2008, and there are 4 others in her year at school.

Am I being unreasonable to wish I'd called her something a bit less, well, common?

She has two lovely middle names and to my shame I've even asked her if she fancies being called one of these instead.

I know I'm being an awful snob, and I do still like the name but what do you all think?

OP posts:
cumbria81 · 15/01/2011 06:52

I am a 29 year old Megan too.

My mum still goes on about the fact that it was so "unique" when she chose it and now has become so popular.

MsKLo · 15/01/2011 07:01

I have many friends with daughters called Ava, Eva and Olivia and they feel like you - but they chose the names they liked so that is all that matters

Blame bloody Charlottle Church! Lol

Scarlett is very popular now too isn't it! Who would have thought?

And I know sooooo many Olivers it is unreal!

ohmeohmy · 15/01/2011 07:10

Ruby is lovely, thought about it for dd but she didn't look like one! I wouldn't worry about it she is YOUR Ruby and that makes her one of a kind.

My name was very common, at least 4 at school, still know 2! Never mind. Mum was thinking of calling me Bianca and that would have been a cross to bear though I never went out with a Ricky.

I find a lot of Florences these days, which was my grandma's name and is my mum's middle name but we never had it on the list.

mrsgboring · 15/01/2011 07:35

Our DS1's name is genuinely quite uncommonly used, at least in the UK (I've checked several years of UK baby names data to be sure. It is in the top 20 for German teenagers though, I discovered recently). Nevertheless, there are coincidences. Two babies born in our street within months of each other and we both gave the same name. Also, DS1's best friend's next door neighbour and a child next to us in the queue in Legoland.

DS2's name is even more unusual (though still classic). It is apparently massively popular in Poland right now though. You cannot guess what other people will do with names, nor can you guess what circles your DD might move in in the future. She could move to the other side of the world as an adult and immediately become exotic and original. Or she could take up a highly male dominated career right on her doorstep and ditto.

FWIW there are no Rubys, Lilys or Eva/Ava/Evies in DS1's Reception class at all. When I was at school, I was always jealous of the kids who got to be called "Claire B" and "Claire C" as I thought it would be much cooler to have an initial to add to my name and to have an "in" name.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 07:47

My dogs is called Ruby Tuesday. Well there's two dogs, called Ruby & Millie.

I know 3 other Rubys(ies?) it's a pretty name, and not "common" as in "Tracey" or "Karen" but well used...similar to Elizabeth...well used but you don't tend to think, leggings, gold and benefits when you hear it.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 07:47

dog*

Psammead · 15/01/2011 07:50

I think it's true what another poster said - you can't make any assumptions about a Ruby.

I live in a very small town in Germany. I gave my DD a name which I thought would fit in well with her British and German sides but which was very uncommon here.

A month after she was born I heard that there was another English family living here and that they have a DD with the same name!

We're the only Brits in this town. What are the chances?

TryLikingClarity · 15/01/2011 08:11

IMO Ruby is a lovely name, easy to spell and feminine.

My DS is called Adam and his middle name is also Biblical. When DH's nanny heard what we'd named him she said, "Ahh, that's a nice modern name."

Confused

Adam was the 1st man ever created on earth, hardly modern!

Just goes to show that you can't please everyone and everyone will throw in their 2p worth comment.

If you like Ruby irrespective of how popular it is then stick with it.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 08:20

I know how you feel- my son is Elijah and I hear, "What after that guy from Lord of the Rings?".

No actually, like the prophet in the Old Testament.

So frustrating Hmm

MargaretGraceBondfield · 15/01/2011 08:22

Lady.... I loved Elijah, tis DS2s middle name because two people asked me the same thing when I was expecting him! He is Roman instead!

As for Ruby there are loads in Bristol but unlike many popular names it can take the popularity as it's traditional, unlike Kylie or something that sounds like too many people trying to be original.

I have a Mabel, I think that's climbing up there too.

HairyTruckDriver · 15/01/2011 08:24

My dads' dog is called ruby .... I quite like it (the name, not the dog)

Not sure I like the idea of Elijah though ....

MargaretGraceBondfield · 15/01/2011 08:25

Hey and it's true about nicknames, people get them much more quickly if there are lots of Ruby's or Claires and SArahs in my day!

MargaretGraceBondfield · 15/01/2011 08:26

HTD...Not very good form considering someone has just posted that that is the name of their child. Ely is great as a nn.

HairyTruckDriver · 15/01/2011 08:34
Biscuit
LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 08:38

Yes my friend has a son called Roman (Bible bashers like me).

Luckily people don't have to "like" Elijah or be "sure of it", because I chose his name for it's meaning not so much the sound/look/effect on society.

Plus it can't really go out of date. Unlike Chardonnay or Donna.

HairyTruckDriver · 15/01/2011 08:46

I will call my next 2 children Beealzebub and Gadarenes I think

FattyArbuckel · 15/01/2011 08:49

My dd's name has shot from outside the top one hundred 12 years ago when she was born to top ten now, so I know how you feel! Luckily it's still uncommon in her school year so ihave to be content with that!

Ruby is a fab name so at least you didn't pick one and then stop liking it. My second choice name for dd was Mathilda after the roald dahl story but that has also snce become very popular

Longtalljosie · 15/01/2011 08:55

I was looking at a names website before having DD - under Shakespearian names it suggested Caliban!

elephantjelly · 15/01/2011 08:55

blame the kaiser chiefs "ruby ruby ruby"

Shakirasma · 15/01/2011 09:06

13 years ago i named DD1 Chloe, the whole country copied me.

8 years ago i named DD2 Kira, the whole country copied me.

4 yo DS has the same name as his dad. It is a massively popular name in DH's generation but as yet i don't know of any small children named Paul HOORAY

Ruby is a beautiful name btw

Guadalupe · 15/01/2011 09:07

I was just about to post on this and then realised saw that I did last year. Grin

MilkMonitor · 15/01/2011 09:11

I love the name Ruby. I don't know any myself.

Give her a nickname if you think it's too popular. Bibi or something cute like that. But Ruby is a stylish name.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 09:13

Oh this is an OLD thread! I didn't see that!

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 09:14

LongTallJosie, my girls name picked out when I was pg was Ophelia from Hamlet. Until my husband suggested when she's a teenager she might get

"Oh-feel-her". I backed down then.

Fernie3 · 15/01/2011 09:15

I have 4 children with what i know are very common names ( Jessica and Emily are the two most common) but weirdly there are no others with the same name at school and nursery or in fact any if the playgroups etc i have been to we live in a sea of individual names like destiny ( tw destinys in my daughters class).

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