Brave versus safe?

[horsechesnut]

Most people have unusual/ uncommon names which they love but when it finally comes to making that choice just cannot bring themselves to use for whatever reason.

So my Q is - which did you go for - your brave name choice or your safe option and why? And do you now wish you'd chosen the other one?

I went for the brave option with both of my children. one of the names has been absolutely slated on here but i don't care as it is a family name and i love it and it suits him (he loves it too and refuses to let it be shortened to a much more common name). The other name is slightly more well used but still quite unusual where we live and again i love the name and am glad i was brave and went with them as i love the names and would hate to have yet another boring James, Matthew, Emma or Rose. Sure i will get a roasting for saying that for people who have children with those names or similar names and i do like the names they are classic but very boring and overused.

p.s what are your unusual choices and your safe options? Or do you want to keep them private? Do not be put off by people on here and their opinions. Once the baby is born nobody will question the name.

Another vote for the brave option, especially if you love the name and it goes well with your surname .

The whole point of 'naming' someone or something is to (as much as possible) uniquely identify him/her/it. I find it so hard to distinguish between all the (adult) Steves and Mikes I know and the (child) Jack and Toms....

Our DD1 is Sylvia. Not a "brave" name at all but it's old fashioned in an unfashionable way IYSWIM. I had wanted Tallulah years before but not by the time I had DD1 as it had become fashionable. She's 5.

Clpsmums, mine are Jasper and Ben. I'll leave you to guess which is which

What is brave or Safe about either Jasper or Ben.... They're both fairly common/popular names imo.

both are very nice names horse

where i come from, neither would be considered brave tough

*though

Japser to us is quite a 'brave' choice. I don't know any Japsers and we get a mixed reaction from people when mentioned. I'm quite glad you don't think it brave, that kinda reassures me.

Another vote for Brave!

I thought you were going to ask us if we thought you should call you baby Brave or Safe.

I like Ben, only because I dont really like Jasper (reminds me of the baddie in 101 Dalmations)

I think it's good to be brave and not follow the herd - within reason though.

As a parent you are unlikely to be bullied, ridiculed or humilated because of the name you choose for your child, but your child may not be so lucky.

Go for brave.

I have quite an unusual name for my age group (I've met a few old ladies with my name though!) and I'd much rather have a name that stands out than be known as 'tall emma' or 'blonde Louise' or have my surname initial permanently tagged to the end of my name.

Go for it

Brave every time!

Our ds has a name that some mumsnetters consider brave. In reality we get lovely comments from people and love it. His name is fairly uncommon (it was only given 13 times in 2008) but is still a normal, easily pronouncable, spellable name .

I don't think the choice should be BETWEEN safe or brave.

I think you should choose a name you love, that works well with your surname, that is easily pronouncable/spellable and that ideally isn't already used by thousands of others.

Our dd and ds both have names that are outside the top 250 but are still lovely classic names. Some might find them 'brave' some 'poncy' some even 'safe'/'boring' but we are very happy with the choices and, so far, our children too.

I was brave, I knew hearing the names I loved would really get to me if I went for safe.

Also, I just never seem to be keen on the safer options.

Brave. DH and I had discussed this brave name then I had to stay in hospital for a while and the name registrar visited on Tuesdays. DH came back from what I thought was a trip to the loo very pleased with himself and announced he had registered dd's name and saved us a trip to the council offices. He was under the impression it was a done deal. Love it though and glad I was sort of harried into it

I think I tend to favour the unusual - I wouldn't say the names I've picked are brave, (actually DS's name is in top 20, but DH's choice to honour his father, so I didn't mind so much) but to me, the worst thing in the world is having the same name as 2 or three others in your class, using the initial of your surname to differentiate you. I can't understand why anyone would want that for their child.

Exactly Lulu. In my daughters class one third of the girls have the same name.

Brave. As long as its not daft!

Foreign names are good too.

I have one brave and 2 sensible!

MrsVWoolf-I love Pandora and it's on my shortlist for a girl. Love the meaning-"gifted"

Brave - I have never heard of another with the same name as my DS and he wouldnt shorten it. DDs' names are not common but well known (IYSWIM). All three DCs have place names as their middle names.