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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Worlds most popular name, but I like it!

56 replies

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 13:18

At 40 weeks (due date was yesterday!) so really need to get sorted! I think Harry is just a good solid name. DH doesn't like a) no long version/ no option to change/ adjust b) he read somewhere it was number 1 in UK last year and although I don't really mind this, I think he's let it colour his judgement.
If you have been lucky enough to avoid my other name posts, DS1 is Charlie (Charles) and his cousins are William, Oliver, Max, Sam and George x 2- all names we would have happily had but over a 3 year naming span it's a bit close!
To this naming malarkey. Feels so vital and life changing now and then once baby's out it seems pathetic to have worried!
Help!!

OP posts:

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Egusta · 07/02/2013 15:05

Love Henry and love Harry.

Nothing of use to add, sorry.

[congrats by the way!]

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 15:07

Haha, Booyhoo, I have no understanding of t'internet 'tone' and/ or the etiquette of forums in general and then in the last weeks of pregnancy I've been posting left right and centre and getting my knickers in a right old twist
Quite fun though

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Sirzy · 07/02/2013 15:08

Ds is the only Harry in his nursery.

weegiemum · 07/02/2013 15:08

I was one of 4 in my class with the same name - hated it as it was so popular.

I teach pre-school storytelling and last year in a class of 16 I had 4 Lilys. Harry isn't popular where I am, but this year have 4 Calum/Callums. I'd really not wish that ubiquity on a child.

My dc all have solid, fairly timeless names. Harry is nice, popular, but very "now". Popular for a reason, people say. But it wasn't that popular 1 years ago. It's popular because it's popular!

EuroShopperEnergyDrink · 07/02/2013 15:14

What about Hadley?

rachel234 · 07/02/2013 15:26

"There is a reason that it's popular. Don't worry about it."

Yes, it is popular because it is used by lots and lots of people who all have the same idea at the same time. Why wouldn't one want to worry about this popularity? Having worked in schools and scouts, it can be a pain if several kids share the same name. Not the end of the world, but easily avoidable if we make a little more effort in choosing a name that is not already widely used. After all, why do we name things/people? Surely to identify them.

rachel234 · 07/02/2013 15:28

Also, looking back at 'popular' names from the past - they might have been considered lovely back then, and everyone chose them, but are those names really lovely names ?

Sirzy · 07/02/2013 15:34

but easily avoidable if we make a little more effort in choosing a name that is not already widely used.

So people shouldn't use names they like instead pick a name simply because it's different?

I have never understood that thinking. If you like a name use it, doesn't matter if it's 1 or 1001 in the popularity lists surely as long as you like it?

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 15:41

Sorry rachel234, think our wires crossed, I didn't pick Harry because of it's popularity but rather discovered it's popularity via the power of the web after thinking about it as a rather nice name. If I'd just put the computer down and done a straw poll of our friends, relatives, acquaintances and some of the 1200 children who have passed through my year group since 2007 then I'd have thought 'Ooh that's a nice name and a bit different and he will be clearly demarcated from any other little boy (except possibly princes)'. But I went on mumsnet instead and now realise it's too popular

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MERLYPUSS · 07/02/2013 15:46

You wont be able to date Harry so regardless of a profession he wont look out of place IYSWIM. I have a Thomas (and that is dead common according to my sister, not popular) and there are 2 in his year group. I don't give a stuff. It's a name I loved and so I had it. It can be shortened and still not objectionable. Go fo it.

rachel234 · 07/02/2013 15:51

"I have never understood that thinking. If you like a name use it, doesn't matter if it's 1 or 1001 in the popularity lists surely as long as you like it? "

How much one likes a name may well be influenced by how widely it is already used. Maybe for you it isn't, but for others it may be. Perhaps it depends on one's own experience of having to share a name with lots of others?

steppemum · 07/02/2013 16:14

There is only 1 Harry in my kids school. I think it depends where you live.

if you like it, use it, it is a good name

Trills · 07/02/2013 16:15

A name being popular is not necessarily a bad thing. Just use a name that you like.

Trills · 07/02/2013 16:16

By the way you know that by listing the names of your DS1 and cousins any of your relatives who happened to come across your post would almost definitely know who you were?

Sirzy · 07/02/2013 16:17

I was one of 5 in my class at one point. Somehow I have managed to make it to adulthood without that having harmed me at all!

I just find this obsession with name popularity really bizzare. Who cares how many others share the same name?

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 16:27

It's ok if rellies work out who I am They already know me quite well- are you related to me Trills? Fancy letting me have one of your boys names?!
Some of them have already given useful naming advice too!
Agree with your posts Trills and Sirzy, shall crack on and use favourite names and ignore popularity, thanks all xx
Of course would out me completely if I said DHs name which is literally the most popular common name in the world Poor old him!

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LouiseFisher · 07/02/2013 16:29

I think Harry is an excellent name! :)

dreamingofsun · 07/02/2013 19:23

much better to go for a popular name that you realise is going to be popular, than choosing an unusual name and then have close friends copy it. There are never any guarantees with names, so maybe just best to choose a name you like and accept they are going to be big/little harry or harry x/y

Rockdoctor · 07/02/2013 20:31

We named DD2 before coming on t'internet and realising how popular her name is. As it turns out DD1, with the "unusual" name according to the statistics, finds herself one of two in the class with the same name. DD2 on the other hand is the only one

tilder · 07/02/2013 20:46

Go for it, harry is a great name. Personally I don't get the obsession with selecting a name based on its level of popularity (or lack of) rather than how much you love it.

Harry is a classic name, unlikely to date and FWIW (if this is relevant to you) it ticks the suitable for all professions box as well as being ok to shout out in a crowded pub.

Ligs · 09/02/2013 06:24

What about Harrison?

binkybonk · 10/02/2013 14:42

He's Harry

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Floralnomad · 10/02/2013 14:47

Congratulations . It's a lovely name .

Panzee · 10/02/2013 15:17

Congratulations. You made the right choice! :)

Merl0t · 10/02/2013 16:47

It rhymes with Barry and Gary which are considered awful. Why does changing one letter make it the world's most popular name?!

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