Should we change our son's top 10 name to something that's in the top 500? (6 weeks old)

[AquaDragonfly]

Hi, our son is only 6 weeks old. I've loved a name for so long and luckily DP liked it too (I don't think he really cared about his name). Anyway, we only knew 1 boy with the name when we were naming him and thought that was fine. I actually never looked up the popularity of the name or anything tbh (I'm now shocked at where it is placed).

We like another name too, but I didn't think his name was even that popular, so didn't think to go with the least popular one.

Since he's been meeting friends and family, I've had a few comments. Friends who are nursery workers/work with children have responded with "oh gosh! Another one!" But then laughed and said they're just kidding... 2 more baby boys are due around me and BOTH have said they are thinking of the name too...... I know they may never use it and because I have, maybe they won't? I'm not sure.

Anyway, his name is Noah. The name we would change it to is Samson. Thanks.

Prefer Noah. And Samson will become Sam and Samuel means there are many many Sams about.

I prefer Noah too. I named my eldest a not common name at the time but I know quite a few with the name now but still didn't make me want to change it.

Personally I would stick with something that you love. If a name being popular really bothered you, I think that you would have checked the popularity before you named him.

Do you love Samson as much as you love Noah?.

Keep your name. It's beautiful

It doesn't matter. Even a top 10 name is going to be less than 1% of all babies named that year. It's unlikely to be a problem for him.

I actually only know one baby Noah. Keep the name.

My ds has a very popular name. We wanted to name him after my grandad - Harry. We went round in circles trying to find a less popular name we loved as much but just couldn't, and obviously another one wouldn't have the same meaning to us. So we went for it.

He's 11 now. He suits his name. Yes there are others in the school but it really doesn't matter to us.
I'm a Sarah born in the early 70's. Half my friends were called Sarah. It's never really held me back!

I much prefer Samson

It sounds like you love Noah more, otherwise you would have been torn between the two. But you weren’t, it was always Noah first. Stick with it.

Samson is great too but Sam feels pretty ubiquitous as well so I’m not sure you’d achieve the desired result by changing it.

I teach Noah's X a few and have taught one Samson. He was known as Sam, so it may well get shortened.

He has been Noah for six weeks. Surely it would be odd to change it now? His family all know him as that name? That’s ‘his’ name, part of his identity.

I don’t know any Noah’s.

Really don’t like Samson. Will be shortened to Sam anyway

One of my ds has just started school with a boy who has the same name. They are solo happy about it. From the day they met they've been inseparable. At my primary school there was a pair of Clares who were best friends the whole time. I don't think a common name is necessarily a bad thing (even though I love my unusual name)

He has been Noah for six weeks. Surely it would be odd to change it now? His family all know him as that name? That’s ‘his’ name, part of his identity

He’s 6 weeks old, I’m sure he’d get over it! We didn’t even register DD2 until she was 5 weeks and 6 days, she was ‘baby’ until then!

I actually prefer Noah OP and don’t know all that many. As a PP has pointed out, Samson will become Sam and there are loads of them!

Stick with it.
It will be fine. There might be a few around but that really doesn't matter. It certainly won't matter to your son. Honestly, people are obsessed with unique and different names. Why? Most kids genuinely don't want to stand out by having a unique name. I met a child during the holidays called Sceptre. Lucky him.

Prefer Noah, loads of Sams.

I met a child during the holidays called Sceptre

If you love it keep it. I bet you'd regret it if you change your mind.

Noah is a lovely name, that's why it's popular. We only have 1 Noah in our 2 form entry at school. At least people know how to spell it and his email address at work will be simple. Keep it!

I don’t know any Noahs. It’s a gorgeous name I’d stick with it.

Noah is nicer. One of my sons has a name in the top 20 we rarely meet any others, however my other son who has a less common name we seem to meet loads of.

What’s wrong with having a popular name?

Keep it it's lovely

Both Noah and Samson are lovely but I'd stick with Noah in your case. You still like the name - sometimes names are popular for a good reason! If it helps I have 2 DC at nursery and school and there aren't any Noahs.

Popular names are popular beause they are lovely. They sound nice, there's nothing 'wrong' with them, and in the future his name will fit in easily with his peer group.

I'd keep it unless you don't like it anymore.

Whenever I hear of an Olivia/Oliver, I think: Ah, that's nice, how tasteful as my first thought. And they are the most popular names! When I hear of a Tarquinuis or Nevaeh-Raii my first thought is: Ugh, how awful. Not: ooooh how unusal

Much prefer Noah, and agree with other poster who said Samson will become Sam (which is so popular where I live).