Wishing I hadn't looked at the 2012 ONS charts

[Ruththetooth]

Had finally decided on Leo for a boy (due in 8 days). It was number 27 in 2011 and I would have preferred it to be less popular but really like it and don't know any Leos (we're in Norfolk).

In the 2012 charts it's gone up to number 20. Not that much of a difference really but I feel really bothered by it. Now I wish I hadn't looked as I think it's a bit ridiculous to be ruled by popularity so much, rather than just personal taste.
Anyone else had a similar experience, and do you know many baby Leos?

I was surprised to see Leo there tbh. I don't know any personally. It's a nice name - don't be put off!

I really like Jacob - I knew it was popular but didnt realise it would be in the top 5!! I've only ever come across one in RL.

I don't know any Leo's and think it is a lovely name.

I can see where you are coming from as I am slightly put off using Jacob though Leo being at number 20 is not as bad. I also love Joseph and that is number 22 but I would still definitely use that.

If you love it, use it!

3 of my DC's all have names in the top 10. Only one is further down the list
My DC's are teenagers and have always been with other children with the same name, their names are consistently in the top 10. I like their names and it doesn't bother me. I don't think you should change it just because of a chart. I don't actually know any Leo's
Congrats on your soon to be Leo!

It's a fabulous name (I have one :) )

I only know 2 Leo's - one is in his 80s and the other is 3. It's a lovely name!

NOOOO apostrophe. Argh.

I know only one.

DS1 was a similar rank in his birth year. We have met one or two since but there are only two others in his entire school (neither in his year).

DS2 on the other hand was top three for his birth year, and there are three in his preschool class of eight. Although it was quite popular that year, it was given to every other boy in our area, apparently

I think popularity by rank is a bit of a red herring. The number one name in any year is rarely given to more than 1% of babies that year, so a child with a top 10-50 name is more likely to share a birthday with a classmate than a first name.

Personally I'm more concerned with how trendy a name is - how many were there five years ago? or ten? Will it date painfully like Kylie from the 1980s?

Thanks for the feedback. You've helped put my mind at rest. We'll stick to what we like.

Names are often regional - someone hears a name of a friend's baby they like and copy it etc. There is only 33 boys with my son's name last year and yet I know 5 in my area and had copied it from my friends brother as I loved his name so much!!

I agree with above comment that it's better to go with a solid, classic name like Leo than a really trendy one of the moment imo..

I don't know any Leo. I thought I picked an original name for my DD and there were three of them (including her) on the postnatal ward! I'd never known anyone with her name before that, and sure enough it's in the list of popular names. It doesn't really matter as long as you like it.

My nephew is Leo born Nov last,year. It's a nice name but I was surprised it was that popular.

my dd was born in 2008 and had a top ten name. it moved to top 3 not long after.

she has been through pre school and school, tons of activities and classes and never met another one yet.

One Leo aged 12.
Both my DC have names in top ten (teens) but I only know one extra person with the same name. Ignore the lists.

oh and I met my first ever leo last week and he waa gorgeous and really suited his name

I am in Norfolk. I don't know any Leos. Little or big.

My daughters name is meant to be really popular. Its around the 20 mark and everyone on MN says there are loads of them (or variants of her name).

We have never met another.

I really do think it depends on your region.

I don't know any Leos - first one I saw was on the train the other day.

I agree with the regional differences - there were nearly 500 boys born with the same name as my DS and only 40 or so girls. We know 3 children with the same name and two of them are girls :(

I feel your frustration, OP!

I just looked at the list and my preferred boys' name, Nathaniel, was ranked at 118 in 2012..that's still only 536 boys with that name but it still made me irrationally annoyed!

On the plus side, one of my top names for a girl, Corin, was only given to one more boy than girl last year (9 vs 8) so I can at least confidently ignore the people telling me it's TOTALLY a boys' name and put it back on my girls' list ;)

FWIW I don't know any Leos at all (just two Leons) - it's a lovely name.

Leo was strongly associated with Tony Blair, which is probably why it became less popular. But perhaps that's fading now.

i am in norfolk and i know one leo, he is two.

its a lovely name :)

I think popularity by rank is a bit of a red herring. The number one name in any year is rarely given to more than 1% of babies that year, so a child with a top 10-50 name is more likely to share a birthday with a classmate than a first name.

This is good advice. Leo is a lovely name and I've only ever met one young Leo.

I know 5 and thats not counting the Blair one All boys I've actually met. Oldest is 15 youngest about 7 months now..

IMO its a popular name

I know a lovely Leo and have encountered a few more - but then I have a listener bias as I notice names I know more.

Why don't you see if it appears in the stats for your local area OP? It may be more or less popular than the national average there.

DD's name was given to 80 other girls last year but I expect most of them were round these parts

My baby is going to be Leo if he's a boy. I don't care how popular it is, I love the name and can't imagine calling my son anything else

I know the actual Leo after whom Leo Blair was named! He's 32. And a baby Leo. That's all.