Chosen baby name: Rare? No, not any more!

[arabellaandbaby]

Hi All

I named my baby girl (who is now 9MO) Isla, thinking that it was rare. I even googled it before we committed it to the birth certificate lest people think it strange for a baby of no Scottish heritage, or in case it was considered strange altogether!

Since she was born though, I have come across 7 Islas in the nursery, playgroups and mum and baby groups, all around the same age as my DD. Before my DD came along, I hadn't heard of any Islas at all, and I know of so many young babies.

Anyone else out there who was trying to avoid their child having to potentially share a name with 2 or 3 other children in their class when they start school, but in fact, it seems to have gone the other way already? Similar to the Sarahs, Emmas, Rachels, Lauras, Louises etc to name a few in our generation?

my dog is called marmaduke!!

and i know a 4 year old called anna.

My 8yo nice is Anna and we don't know another one of her age.

When I picked DD's name nearly 13 yrs ago, I was living in Scotland, and didn't know of a single Jade. We moved to Essex just before she was born...and there were 4 in her class through primary!

When I named DS1 nearly 9 yrs ago, his name wasn't even in the top 100. (Logan). Now the world and his uncle seem to be named Logan. This year is the first year that there is actually another Logan in his school. He is NOT HAPPY! And another of my acquaintances also named her son (who is now 5yo) Logan.

PAH! DS2's name doesn't seem to be that popular though. And I spelt it unusually. (Ayden).

Now DP and I are trying to find an unusual name for DC4 (DS3) who is due in just over 2 weeks. We are swaying towards Reuben. Doesn't seem all that popular.

Annie seems to be popular but for some strange reason not Anne or Anna. In our family traditionally the girl's have Anne for their middle names, but I think I would change it slightly to Anna as it is so much prettier.

I like the more unusual names, and so far it seems to be working - DS2 is the only one with his name in the school and i think that DD and DS3 will be the same.

Whilst their names are unusual, i don't think they are compleltely 'out there'

Anna is at about number #50

There'll always be others but not a cluster. Especially as it's a name with a broad appeal.