Is it a bad idea to use a slightly obscure saint's name?

[Obamaniqua]

OK, it's not the most trendy of names, but I'd love to call DS2 Swithun. I like the historical and personal connections of the name, but I feel that marking him out for life might be a negative thing. Having said that, it's not hard to spell or pronounce, and it's the only boy's name DH likes at the moment. What do you think?

Is it pronounced how it is spelt?

Yup. Swith-un.

I wouldn't unless you want people making comments about hin bringing 40 days of rain every time he comes into the room......

Erm, not a favourite of mine

Isn't it associated with rain?

How about Jude?

But seriously unusual names are far less of an issue nowadays. For the boys I think it is because of all the overseas players in the football league, (and the strange names of all the girls on Xfactor etc.) but I have never heard any teasing due to names, and we certainly have a few odd ones at DS school.

Definitely unusual. Is he due in july? Can't think of any good abbreviations if HE turns out not to be keen tho.....
I like it

I know a baby called Jude - very cool imo.

Swithun - no, sorry.

I knew a Werburg and an Ambrose once.

Apparently their mother was a very strict Catholic and once the boys were born she found out which saint's day it was.

Not sure tbh. If you want obscure saints how about Enedoc. Cornwall is full of them

Donki/rubyslippers - The rain thing is one bother, but surely not enough people (and certainly not enough school children) know the folklore for that to be a big issue?

Rooble - Yes, he's due in July, but that's not actually the reason we're considering it; we just like the name. Abbreviations are an issue also, you're right.

I do like Jude but I can't use it because it's the name of my best friend's son.

Ormirian - I do love the Cornish saints, but their names are bit too funky for real people, I think

Obamaniqua
You mean that no-one learns about St. Swithun's day any more?
"St Swithin's Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no mair"

What has the world come to?

Aloysius is a fave of mine ...not too sure about Swithun though

I like Swithun. If my second dd had been a boy she would have been Cassian!

Swithun would be a fantastic name! Traditional in that it's a saint's name, and unusual but not totally unheard of.

Agree that St Swithun is NOT obscure. He's well known precisely because of the 40 days of rian thing!

I would have expected most adults to know about St Swithun's day and 40 days of rain.

I guess not many children at primary age will although, depending ont he school and asemblies, it may come up.

My DS is named after an obscure 7th century Northumbrian king/saint. His name never causes any problems.

Eek! Nickname could be Hun!

OK, maybe he's not that obscure generally, but Swithun's not exactly a popular saint name like George or Peter. I suppose I'm just wondering whether the rain thing would impact him that much, I mean...it's not that funny. Nice to hear some good responses though.

MelinaM - I love Aloysius, but it's my father-in-law's name.

Nomenclature - Oh, do tell, I love interesting names! - DS1 is Clement Augustine.

hocuspontas - Hun?

I love names like Ignatius, Ambrose, Aloysius, Theophilus, Constantine.

Obamaniqua - DS is called Oswin (it means friend of God)

I quite like it
Isn't it often spelt Swithin?