would a recently popular name put you off using it?!

[milosmummy16]

Favourite name for last three years (since my son was born) is Arlo, we didn't end up using it for him but I'm now due another boy and really want to use it this time. However I keep seeing it mentioned all the time on here and it's noticed its suddenly gone up in the name lists. I really don't want a name that you hear called all the time or have 5 others in the classroom but then I love the name so don't want to be put off from using it!

I'd just use it. You never know what will happen - you could pick something completely unheard-of and then a new film or TV series or celeb baby could suddenly catapult it to the top of the charts. Just pick whatever you like best. It's extremely unlikely that there will be 5 of any name in one class, even the absolute most popular.

Yes.

I know three Arlos born in the last 18-ish months.

It'll inevitably date.

I wouldn't let it put you off if you like it. I know one Arlo about 12 months old.

i could not bring myself to give my baby a name i knew full well was a trend.

Apart from on here and baby lists I have never heard or met another Arlo, perhaps it's not a well used name in the area i live ??

I know one but I just associate it with The Good Dinosaur. I really like it though.

I haven't met a little Arlo before! Suppose the name lists tell the most accurate truth though compared to who we personally know haha

Yes, use it, it's a great name, I don't know of any !

I don't know any personally, but it is mentioned on the site ALOT! which makes me think there will be a rise of little Arlo's born this year. It would put me off personally, I'm expecting a girl and have been put off a few names as they have been over mentioned on here.

I haven't met any, and my DD is 1 and is in the park and baby groups lots. I hear lots of the same names being called, but haven't heard any Arlo's yet. I see it on this site loads though.

It wasn't in the top 100 last year. Even Oliver, the number one name, is only given to 1 in 50 boys, so not 5 in every class.

Arlo last year was given to 1 in every 625 boys. The issue is more that it is very on trend right now, so it might date in the future.

Tough though because it IS a really great name.

I have an Arlo, I know of none near us, but heard 6 Arlos being called on holiday last week!!

In NSW, Aus. Arlo was the 62nd most popular name here last year (92nd in 2015). It hadn't been in the top 100 before that. Pretty steep rise.

Arlo's is very much 'of the moment'. Nice but not exactly unusual!

Yes I would use it.
I would avoid the top 5 but if a name I loved was in, say, the top 20 I wouldn't let that stop me using it.
Arlo isn't even in the top 20 so its supposed popularity wouldn't bother me at all.
Just because people on Mumsnet like/use it doesn't mean that's representative of the general population or - most important - people close to you!

If you already have a Milo I would find Arlo too similar. And it is very popular. And pretty much this year's Finlay, I know at least 4.

I don't know any.

I like the good dinosaur. Not mad on the name though.

The 2016 ons will be out soon so you can check if it actually has risen much from 2015.

There are names on MN that get mentioned regularly which aren't actually that popular.

I know what you mean. My son is Jude, it's been my favourite boys name for 20 plus years but suddenly it seems to be getting popular and I hate it. I'm going well outside the top 100 this time. A name being popular really puts me off.

I dont know any.
Some areas have more than others . My DS has a previous top boys name from a few years ago, he's now a teenager and I don't hear of many round here, yet it was number one for a while . At his previous Primary school there was maybe 3 in the whole school .
Yet some areas maybe had 6 in 1 class.
If you like the name , use it !

I'd never let that bother me if heart is set on using it, however it would upset me to discover 5 in the class with the same name, having had a popular name myself in school and being referred to as name surname it is disheartening and annoying.

If you love it, go for it! :)

I've got good associations with the name though and a little biased as we have a dog named Arlo

The risk with a trendy name is not only that he may have to add his surname initials to his name, but also that the name starts to sound dated once it falls out of favour again.

Personally I prefer classic names that aren't too popular (ideally currently outside top 100).

The very first time I heard this name used was by a newsreader called Natasha Kaplinsky, possibly circa 2009?

I think she started it.

I'd always wanted an Oscar since reading Oscar & Lucinda in the 1990s, just loved the name. By the time I had DS over 20 years later, it was a full on trend so I didn't do it. I've kind of regretted it since, we haven't met many Oscars and I still think it's beautiful.