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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Did you change name choice due to popularity?

61 replies

lollydollydrop · 15/01/2014 00:48

And did you regret it?

Just wondering whether we should stick with an agreed old favourite name of ours or change it due to being so common at the moment?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

emmyloo2 · 16/01/2014 03:50

Agree with Lebkuckenlover - there are so many underused classic, lovely names. I was really put off from names that were very "now". Names which perhaps I liked previously but now I hear every 5 minutes at the park. It really put me off. Names like Ruby, for example. I know so many little Rubys that there is no way I would have chosen Ruby. Same with Ava. But to be honest, I think I am in the minority and it doesn't seem to bother a lot of people because I keep hearing about little Rubys or Chloes etc born. All perfectly fine names but I do think they will date.

And I also like Cassandra.

That said, a lot of people wouldn't like my children's names (particularly my DD's name) so each to their own right?

gruffalosfriend · 16/01/2014 14:42

"I'd rather be Emily A. than Cassandra"

Really?

But to answer the op, please remember that you're giving you child a name so that it can be identified. And by giving your child a name that isn't 'trendy' it is less likely to fall out of fashion and become 'dated.

Orangeisthenewbanana · 16/01/2014 17:05

We avoided names in the top 20 even though I really liked several of them. We loved our DD's name for various reasons and haven't regretted it a bit. In fact I'm quite glad as I've met several Isobel/Isabellas and Islas in baby groups already since, and they would have been my front runners. No duplicates yet for DD.....

Mrsindecision · 16/01/2014 18:55

I think most people currently would prefer to be an Emily rather than a Cassandra, as indicated by the ONS lists. To my ear, Cassandra is out of fashion and dated (reminds me of Only Fools and Horses - I'm showing my age now!) so I wouldn't choose it for a DC of mine, but I do understand someone younger than me wouldn't have that association and therefore may see it as being a good choice. I certainly wouldn't view the name Emily as "trendy" as I know a few of varying ages.

It is impossible to say whether the child you are naming will like their name in the future, so you can only go by your own tastes. Some may turn out to have a preference for names which blend in and not stand out, whereas others may have a preference for more unusual choices - you will only know if you have made the right decision for them when they are old enough to have an opinion and can tell you! In turn, they will have the chance to make their choice of names if and when they decide have their own DC!

Phaedra11 · 16/01/2014 20:18

It's not worth it because if you're thinking that, the tide has already turned and many others will also be looking for more unusual names which will start to become commonplace. My sister chose Ava seven years ago because it was unusual and now there's loads of them. And going back a few more years, I knew a woman who chose Lily because it was a rare and unusual name.

I think I ruled out Jack and Joshua for my boys as being too popular (sixteen and thirteen years ago) and then everyone else seemed to stop choosing them too.

CoffeeChocolateWine · 17/01/2014 09:25

My DD's name is very popular at the moment, as are lots of variations of it. But I've love it and had wanted to call my daughter it for about 15-20 years when it really wasn't popular at all!

When we discovered we were expecting a girl it went straight on the shortlist as my DH loved it too, but was very quickly crossed off because it is so popular. But I kept coming back to it, crossing it off, coming back, crossing it off.

In the end it didn't make our shortlist of three names. But when she was born we looked at her and she looked like this name. So we chose it. I'm sure she will be in a class of many with this name or a varient when she starts school (she's 18 months now) and maybe it bothers me a tiny bit, but not that much. I love her name.

MrsRV · 17/01/2014 15:51

coffechocolatewine what's your DD's name?? intrigued.

JapaneseMargaret · 17/01/2014 17:54

I'm guessing Ava/Eva/Evie/Etc or Isabelle/Isabella/Isabel/Isobel/Etc. :)

MrsRV · 17/01/2014 20:43

coffeechoc... I've loved Ruby for about 10 years. before (I think) it was so popular. I suspect we will dismiss it several times before using it

drspouse · 17/01/2014 21:15

No, as it's a family name, but we checked and were glad it wasn't in the top 100.

Mutteroo · 18/01/2014 03:46

Yes & no.
Changed our DD choice from Emily as at the time this was the 2nd most popular name (1993). DS's name was 17th in the list, but now top 5. Even if it was the most popular name, its highly likely we would have still used it as we both adored the name.....& still do.

Now I must try & go back to sleep. If only DH would stop snoring!!!

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