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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Rant! (Apologies in advance)

21 replies

Newandneurotic44 · 09/07/2017 14:04

Why do people meet popularity with negativity? Ohhh it's XX again yawn I happen to like unusual name but ended up picking a top 30 name as it has real sentimental value and feel rather protective over it-I stupidily didn't look at the stats but realistically I don't think I could have changed my mind at that point. It seems you can't win, if you pick a popular name you are 'boring' and 'lack imagination' yet if you pick an outlandish name you're 'being selfish' and 'setting your child up for career failure' I don't really know the point of this post I just felt the need to rant after sleep deprivation and no caffeine in the house😡

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NuffSaidSam · 09/07/2017 14:06

Over-popularity is a negative for some people.

But they should apply that to their own baby name choice and not anyone else's (unless specifically asked).

Just ignore them.

Singingforsanity · 09/07/2017 22:04

They're idiots. Popular names tend to be popular because they're awesome, so you've probably given your little one an awesome name, well done! It's lovely that it has sentimental value for you too. There were a few disapproving comments when we named DS (about top 60) but I couldn't care less - they'd had their shot at naming kids and I didn't really like their choices! Congratulations btw!

PandaCat · 10/07/2017 07:22

When we had our daughter I just didn't want a name that was in the top twenty as I didn't want her to be multiple of one in her class (She is the only one).

Every year since though, her name has been rising in the 'charts' and I've heard of quite a few but, like others have said it just means it's an awesome name!

Decaffstilltastesweird · 10/07/2017 09:34

It's said all the time on here, but it's true; you really can't please everyone op. Someone will react with negativity to any name.

Criticisms frequently seen on the baby names board:

For unusual names; "too trendy", "try hard", "parents trying to prove how unique and special they are" etc.

For commonly used names; "blah", "there is one in every class", "they'll be known as Oliver J at school" etc.

Fwiw, in general, I prefer more commonly used names than really wacky ones, or anything which is obviously a tribute to a parent's favourite sleb, but I know some people feel differently. Personal taste and all that.

If I ever react negatively to a popular name it's probably because I didn't like the name to begin with.

SuperBeagle · 10/07/2017 09:34

I have a very common first name and a very common surname. It's frustrating. I'm never the only one in the database, it's not memorable at all, and it's just sort of unoriginal. My parents also chose my first name for sentimental reasons, but I do wish they'd considered just how common the surname was before they went ahead with it. It can be just as much of a ballache to have a very common name as it can be to have a very unique one.

Decaffstilltastesweird · 10/07/2017 09:37

You see, I have a really popular first name and had an unusual surname before I changed it when I got married. I love my new common name. It offers a certain level of anonymity which I really love.

ScrunchyBook · 10/07/2017 09:40

We picked first and second names for our DS that we loved. We hadn't looked at any names lists, but my DH noticed that a new list was published a month after his birth. Guess what, his first name was number 1, middle name number 2!!

Stardustandicecream · 10/07/2017 09:53

Totally agree it always makes me giggle when parents have clearly tried to pick an unusual name and then come across another named the same and try not to mind

Just pick the name you love

grufallosfriend · 10/07/2017 15:37

Why do people meet popularity with negativity?

Because an overly popular name loses its value in identifying someone without resorting to surname initials or other adjectives. I know so many adult Steve Smiths, Andys, and Emmas and lots of younger Harrys, Jacks and Ellies - they are nice names but eventually they become so fashionable that they become a little overused imo.

grufallosfriend · 10/07/2017 15:38

I have a very common first name and a very common surname. It's frustrating. I'm never the only one in the database, it's not memorable at all, and it's just sort of unoriginal.

Excactly.

Oysterbabe · 10/07/2017 21:58

My name was number one the year I was born, it was faddy. If you knew my name you'd know my age give or take a couple of years. My mum chose my name because she heard it everywhere and was influenced. I've tried to choose names that I love and not be influenced by fads and fashion. That said, I couldn't care less what anyone else does.

grufallosfriend · 21/07/2017 20:30

See the thread about the op wanting to change her work name....! That might help explain the negativity towards popular names.

Bubbaboo2 · 23/07/2017 12:53

Personally I would prefer to hear a relatively popular name (such as Emily) than an outright ridiculous one where the parents are just trying to show how younique and different they are (such a Pegasus) I think kids would rather be known as Oliver J than the kid named after the flying horse, especially if they grow up to be quite shy or reserved!

Upyourdaisy · 23/07/2017 13:02

One of our DC has a fairly popular name, doesn't make a blind but of difference to me, we chose it because we loved it, but we're also on the other end of the scale, our youngest is called Romany. Not because it's completely 'out there' or 'unique' but simply because we love it and it suits her.
Damned if you do damned if you don't, there's no pleasing some people. All that matters is you love the name.

Highpeak · 23/07/2017 18:38

I have the most common name for girls born in the late 70s/early 80s so wouldn't pick a popular name. I didn't want my daughter to go through life being known by her full name as I disliked my surname! That aside, a name is popular for a reason and I think most of the current popular names are pretty.

goose1964 · 23/07/2017 21:34

When we named DD back in the 90 there was no way to track baby names so we called DD a name we both liked and there were at least 3 in her class. Wish we'd called her Angharad now

IJustGotHitByADeer · 23/07/2017 21:48

If I have a DD I'd love to use my great grandmother's name but it's been incredibly popular for a few years now, although I've looked at the stats more recently and it's declining so she might not end up in a class with 5 others. I guess it might bother me if others assumed the name had been chosen due to lack of imagination but also why should that matter?

Bumpitup44 · 23/07/2017 22:34

IJustGotHitByADeer I'm exactly the same,my daughter is named after her great great grandma and is becoming increasingly popular apparently however I didn't really know this before she was born. I explain her name every time I tell someone as I don't want them to think I'm just jumping on a trend...I thought it was still an old lady name! I wonder if our names are the same...

IJustGotHitByADeer · 23/07/2017 22:37

@Bumpitup44 actually not that outing for me to just say it, it's Ruby

Bumpitup44 · 23/07/2017 22:39

Ah it's not, ours is Evelyn.
FWIW I don't know many baby Rubys, I've only met one recently x

IJustGotHitByADeer · 23/07/2017 23:10

Evelyn is a beautiful name

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