Could you you use a nearly totally unique name?

[AlexanderS]

I've thought of a girls name I really like. It is used as a surname, and is not on the 2011 baby name charts for England and Wales at all, but I googled it and found details of one person - a writer - with this name so it is 'out there'.

The name is gorgeous but I don't know whether I'm brave enough to use it! It sounds like a first name, can be shortened to a reasonably popular diminutive and I don't know why more people haven't used it, but I can imagine myself going to mother and baby groups, introducing my baby and being met with blank looks. There is a certain comfort in using a name that dozens of people have used before you.

Could you use a name like this?

you are going to have to tell us what the name is! don't worry, i doubt a million mn ers. are you going to beat you to it...

Need to know what it is Alex....

We cannot pass comment before hearing the name!

Ah go on, go on, go on!

It utterly depends on the name. You are going to get multiple requests to spill

So... spill...

I used to pull a cats bum face at 'our there' names but it really is more common now to be a bit original. An 'out there' name is preferable to a 'normal' name with a stupid spelling IMHO.

Spill!

I would use a unique name as long as I couldn`t imagine any horrific derivatives or the initials didnt spell something odd.

I order for a true opinion you will have to share the name.

Also my DD's name used to be an English surname before it was a girl's first name.

how can a name be 'nearly totally unique' - it is either unique or it isn't!
c'mon, tell us what it is!

Ah, sod it - the name is Bettany (could be shortened to Betty or Betsy).

Just because there is only one coming up on google doesn't mean to say that only one person has it and don't the england and wales lists only give you names that over 3 people have used?

Wouldn't bother me, my son has a rare-ish spelling of an uncommon name - kids don't bat an eyelid, adults get used to it and the name becomes them.

If you like it and it sounds nice then I would use it.

I'd also love to know what it is and wouldn't steal it, my baby days are past now.

Hmmm...I.forsee a lot of "No, not Bethany, Bettany. No....BETTany"

My son is called Iden and I have a game to try and find it in name books etc! i love the fact it unique. Everyone thought it was unusual but are used to it now. Go for it!!

As in Paul??

Nope. It kinda sounds like a Victorian gentleman's name. Not very feminine.

Or Bethany said incorrectly.

But Betty and Betsy are both fab. Is Elizabeth an option?

Just got for Betty or Betsy.

The only problem i can see is that people will mishear Bethany. Particularly when she's little and if she has a lisp!

And I think you'd have to love Bet and Betty.

I predict years of this:

Stranger: Hello. What's your name?
Your DD: Bettany
Stranger: Bethany?
Your DD: No. BeTTany!!!

If you can cope with that then go ahead. It's a pretty sounding name.

Elizabeth is a cracking name.

X post. Stupid slow fingers

I like Elizabeth but it's one of the most common women's names ever! I would like to be a little more original if I can.

The Bethany/Bettany thing had occurred to me.

It's.common for a reason.

Look at names on last years list that have 20 or less - very rare but still.not totally unheard of.

There were 13 girls born last year with the same name as dd (sorry 12 as she was one of them).

Betty and Betsy just strike me more as nicknames? I'd like a more 'proper' sounding name to go on the birth certificate.

Something can't be "nearly" unique. It either is or it isn't. And neither do you need "totally."

Oooh I quite like Bettany. Unusual but not too out there. I'd go for it OP.

Hmm...well, i'm in the camp of putting on the BC the name you will use. DDs name is a potential NN for two longer names, both of which I don't like.and would never use but I love the nn.

I like it.

Regarding Bettany/Bethany and the possibility of them getting mixed up, when you think about it this is a possibility with lots of names. Rosalyn and Rosalind, just one example of the top of my head.