Thoughts on having a really rare name?

[reeny19]

So I’ve recently found out I’m pregnant and we’ve had to seriously start deciding on names.

I’m torn between traditional, timeless ‘normal’ names but there are two very rare names that I love (one for a boy, one for a girl). I was expecting DH to veto my unusual names but he hasn’t and wants to use them!

What are your thoughts on rare names? Do you have one yourself? did you love/hate it or experience any problems with it? Did you name your own child something rare and how did you get on? What did your family think? Do you know of any children with rare names? Is it quite normal nowadays for children to have unusual names?

My issue with unusual names is that it’s does mean that the child will lose a degree of anonymity. I can also foresee my family disliking the names, people being confused when they hear it, struggling with spelling, remembering it, pronounciation etc.

Help please!

I love Anneka!

I’m going to have to tell you guys my odd names soon aren’t I

For the record, I’m a stickler for correctly spelt names, and I don’t like made-up names. So nothing like that.

I have checked the popularity of the names I’m thinking of and I don’t think they are having a mad moment of popularity either, so I don’t think I’d be bumping into another person with little Seraphina or Edric and being shocked.

Would have been so much easier if DH just vetoed them in the first place! I might have to veto my own names, which is a weird thought.

Sorry year (not tea )

Anything but Abcd

Zebrakid, you sound exactly like my dd - hating the focus being on her. I do hope she embraces her full name when she is older s you did. She tells me now that if schoolfriends who know her only by the short version hear the full version they all say "Oh that is lovely" so maybe.

My DH has a unique name. No one, except for his dad and son has this name. He loves it as he says everyone remembers him. And when he goes to Starbucks he tells them his name is Bob.

I have a rare, vair posh name. It isn't a pretty name. I have always disliked it but it isn't on the weired spectrum, for example, Araminta.

I love going to Starbucks. I get frisson of excitement when I say my name is Anne. Sometimes they spell it An

My issue with unusual names is that it’s does mean that the child will lose a degree of anonymity.

If you want to promote your company or yourself online, it helps a lot to have a rare name. How on earth could a John Smith or Harry Jones ever stand out?!

In other words, the anonymity can be a disadvantage.

I have both an unusual first name and an unusual last name. I don't mind the last name so much but hate having to keep repeating and spelling out my first name, only for people to still get it wrong. I also have no anonimity at all. Search my name on the internet and all you get is ... me! I'd really rather have had a more common first name.

You need to tell us the names. There’s a fine line between ‘wtf’ and ‘that’s unusual, how lovely..’

No one, except for his dad and son has this name. He loves it as he says everyone remembers him. And when he goes to Starbucks he tells them his name is Bob.

Exactly!

I usually tell Starbucks I’m DD’s name. Sometimes, life’s too short to spend ten minutes spelling my real one out and answering lots of questions about where it comes from.

I have an unusual name. I go through stages of liking it and hating it. I’ve contemplated changing it but haven’t done as I don’t want to upset my parents.
People always have a comment and I did get a lot of stick at secondary school.

Because of the love/hate relationship I have I gave my dc traditional names.

I’m called Vada. (Was named after the character in ‘my girl’ but obviously get ‘darth’ a lot)

Depends what you mean by rare?
A girl I knew was called Pariece, she was forever getting called Paris or Patrice.
And another caller Lalette would get called Arlette.
Also a boy in my ds nursery is called Dermuid, but not pronounced like Dermot, more like Dermod

We're also planning to use a rare name for our daughter - I hadn't realised it was so rare (knew one at school, which according to my husband means nothing as 'Stroud is very hippy') until I researched it! It's a real name, not hard to pronounce but I too am worried about the 'looks' initially.

However, we have a really REALLY common surname, and are planning to give her a super classic and oft-used middle name so if she really hated it she could go by her middle name.

I just love the name and - obviously this might change when we meet her - but it just feels right for her, and even my husband who tbf isnt in love with the name won't entertain the idea of her being called something else as he agrees it is just her (or our idea of her, certainly).

I think Vada is beautiful and interesting! Can't see anything tease worthy about though

Those that think they can just change to middle name - doesn't help when you are a 13 year old kid.

Do kids really get teased about names!?

The only child I've heard of being teased was a little William with Willy .

But if a name is a normal name most kids are pretty accepting imo.

Agreed Nesssie. Like you're just going to change your name one day, middle name or not!

Thing is names change. My name was very rare growing up, but traditional. Could never find a mug etc with my name on. Now it's exceptionally popular. It irritates me more turning me head every time I hear my name called to be honest!

@Winterwonderland12 if I had a pound from everyone that has ever done the heavy breathing when I’m near them I’d probably be a millionaire

I know a baby Persephone. Second name is Murphy. Seems like a mismatch. And loaads of people pronounce it presser-phone.

Ha ha . Ok I admit I've not seen Darth Vader.

I have a rare name. Not so much now but I only meet people much younger with my name.

I love it now. I don't have the whole thing of preconceived ideas about my name.

I hated it as a kid. I wanted things with my name on. Pencils bedroom door signs key rings stickers etc. But not a problem now as you can order this stuff online. Honestly that's what bugged me the most was never having my name on a pencil case.

I have a rare name. I loved being the only one as a child, I was always the only person of my name in the whole school.

However, you are right, it does remove online anonymity.

I can’t post on trip adviser,do online reviews or respond to community consultations without considering the impact of my posts.

If you google my name you can very quickly find my address, photograph names of DH, my children, my work, my hobbies etc.

Perhaps it’s a good thing as I’m very very careful what gets put out there.

Do kids really get teased about names!? Yes. Teenagers will use anything. As a child, blending in was all I wanted. Impossible with such a 'unique' name.

It all depends if its a 'word' or not.

Come on op, tell us the names and brace yourself!