Why does it bother me/others

[OwlBeThereForYou]

Ok so I can't sleep and I'm not switching off, so I'm just wondering...why is there such a big deal made about the popularity of a name?
I mean I get that we want our children to be unique but they're going to be themselves regardless of how many there was in their class. I'm talking from someone with a fairly popular name, usually at least two in my classes etc, and apart from being a little irritating on occasion (not often really) it hasn't seemed to harm me.
So why does it seem to be such an issue...and for me too!? One of the names we like is in the top 10 and it's putting me off. But we don't personally know any at all! And I also think that we could go for a name that's currently 400 something, and it become popular quickly and therefore 'start the trend' iyswim!
Anyway this is a ridiculously long post for a 'wondering'...please blame the not sleeping and pregnancy hormones

[OwlBeThereForYou]

I think I'm even more so Mrsindecision! Deep down I think we'll go with what we like regardless of popularity really but I still over think it! 15 weeks to go, 15 weeks to over think and worry ha!

[Britishseamonkey]

I didn't meet anyone with my name until I was in my twenties. Now is is hugely hugely popular. People still compliment me as it is a lovely name regardless. And I got to be a trend setter ( or rather - my mum did) maybe It matters more to the parent- in terms of the kudos of choosing a new baby's name - the process for the parents as it were. I don't think it actually matters to the child as he/she grows up

[DisneyAddict88]

when choosing dd's names we wanted something slightly unusual so they wouldn't be 1 of many in a class. so their names are ones which most people have heard just not commonly used.

however dd2 we met a little girl with the same name and only couple months difference despite never meeting anyone else before!!

[notadoctor]

I have a name that was very popular at the time I was at school - there was always at least 2 of us in the class and it never bothered me at all.

[AprilS]

At my small high school there was 6 girls with the same name as me in my year. Three of them within my friend group. It was quite annoying so if I can avoid this with my kids then I will.

I'm not completely obsessed with having something totally unique though. We have a rather unusual boys name chosen and I heard a friend of a friend has used this name. It didn't make me want to use the name any less it just gave me a lovely warm feeling inside that someone else chose the same name.

[hubbahubster]

I just want to avoid the scenario I had at school, being 'Sue A' because there was a Sue B and a Sue C in my class (name's not Sue but you know what I mean) because I personally hated it. But I don't think it's an issue for everyone, just as some people aren't bothered if their DC have similar sounding names or the same initial or whatever.

My own mother's obsession was with names that couldn't be shortened. I actually love names that have a nickname ;)

[MrsBungle]

I've always liked having a name that's not very abundant! I've only met one other, no others at school and I don't work with any others.

My nephews have to write their full names out even Harry s won't do as there are two other Harry s's in the class - I preferred names that are much less abundant. Personal choice I suppose. My kids names are top 100 but not top 50.

[mylittlesunshine]

I'm a Claire , there was 4 of us in my primary school class and even more in our high school year group. I hated my name, I hated always being known as first and second name and was so so jealous of friends with names that weren't as popular.

I wouldn't not choose a name because it is on the top ten list but I would try and steer away from the ones I know many of in this area such as Isabelle, Jacob, Joshua, Ellie, Jessica. There seems to be a lot of names beginning with K in this area such as Kieron's, Kane's, Kian's so I would avoid those too.

[CantQuiteBelieveIt]

Names are supposed to identify us, but, as someone with a v common name, can't say it's ever been much of an issue. And think how much harder it would have been when everyone was called John, George or Henry, Mary, Margaret or Anne! And people coped

I have chosen v popular, but classic names for my dc. I really didn't want to worry about name fads, although I knew (shock horror!) that we would encounter other children with the same name from time to time.

Thus I have smugly avoided the situation several of my friends are in, whereby they went for names (eg Oscar, Leo, Violet) which they thought were cool and original, only to find that the rest of the world had cottoned onto those names at exactly the same time. Leaving them heartbroken every time they come across a child with the same name

[JRmumma]

My problem with top 10 names was that they sound dull when you hear of several children that have been given the same name. However, once you really know the children, you don't think about their name at all. Its just a name. In adults, ive NEVER thought 'oh ANOTHER Claire/Steve' etc. I just don't think its a real issue once you get past the fact that you want your little bundle of joy to sound like the best baby in the world, and not blend in to the pack.