If you called your child a very popular name...

[ShushBaby]

... did you realise it was popular when you chose it? If so, did you care? And does it now bother you that it's popular?

Playgroups in our (middle class) area are filled with kids with the same or very similar names. I've even come across more than one set of siblings with the same combo of names. One mum introduced her child to me (Eva) and then said quickly 'but I didn't realise it was so popular when I chose it', so its popularity obviously plays on her mind.

We are trying to think of names for dc2 (currently gestating) and my instinct is to avoid very popular names. I almost want to ditch a name if someone else has mentioned it on here, for example. But then, is that just silly? After all, everyone is subject to the zeitgeist- a name that seems unique could turn out to be very popular. And if your child has a name, does it become uniquely 'theirs' to you, even if there are five others in the class?

FWIW my name was the most popular in the year I was born and I can't imagine my parents gave it a second thought- and it certainly didn't bother me. But then, thirty years ago I reckon most babies were named from a stock of about ten names! (Rebecca, Sarah, Elizabeth, Charlotte etc).

I didn't realise how popular dd2 name is until after we'd named her (her name is Ava) Saying that, I don't think it would have stopped us using it. It's popular for a reason IMO, as its a beautiful name and it suits her. In our area I havn't come across any other girls called Ava, dd1 goes to nursery and there aren't any Ava's there either. Dd1 name is not very popular as a first name and I must admit I quite like the fact there aren't many around. strange considering I don't mind dd2's name being so popular.

At least my DDs aren't instantly googleable.

Both DSIS and DSILs addresses come up instantly.

Both have relatively rare surnames and less common forenames in with the rarer spelling.

Me, DH and both DDs are one amongst 1000's, DD2 wasn't meant to be, but her name rocketed up the charts.

My DD has a very unusual name, only something like 5 in 2011 (though seems to be more popular than that on here for some reason)

Almost the first time I took her out in the pram I bumped into someone who lives a few doors down. She had a 1 year old DD and asked my DDs name.

When I told her she did total catsbumface and said her DD had the same name.

So 2 out of the 5 live within about 5 doors of each other :)

DD Grace has just turned 18. A few years ago, as the name stormed up the charts and 'GRACE!' got shouted at little girls in supermarkets, she railed at us for 'chosing such a common name.' She's calmed down now, admits to really liking her name, although I don't think she's fallen for the 'When you're older, people will assume you are younger than you really are because your name is 'younger' than you.'

My mother's best friend was called Sarah. We all thought she was 'really cool' as she had such a 'contemporary' name in the 1970s!

DS's name is rarer and very rarely heard being yelled in large shops, except by me.

Picked DD3's name without checking for popularity and everywhere I went with her all I heard was parents calling the name. It is a really, really popular name, but I love it and she isn't the sort of girl who could have coped with an unusual one.
Chose a name for DD4 that I thought was really unusual. I was right. In fact, the only other one we have ever come across is in her class and they are good friends [doh].