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!

Wow, it's lovely to hear of so many others with rare names! Mostly very positive experiences.

I suspect the MC parental frenzy to be yoo-neek is on the wane, as it happens. In Nappy Valley where I live, we're seeing Tom and Jane a lot at christenings.

And local children are changing their own names to something less of a life challenge when they are about 9. The kids are really pleased when they've got shot of the burden.

I have a very common name. Probably the most popular name ever. I hated it growing up. Interestingly now as an adult I like the anonymity that comes with it. I appreciate the fact that you can’t just google me.

Love Ariadne and Olan. Eldest kids name is now in the top 50, others are one of only 20-50 kids, given that name in their birth year. One has a nickname that is getting less rare. Hated my common first name. People either chose a nickname for you or as you had an unusual surname, they used that, especially teachers etc. My other half had the same problem.

Ariadne
My mum was Welsh married to Greek cypriot. A colleague nicknamed her Ariadne. Her actual name was more French.

There have been 2 or 3 recent episodes of a podcast called The Allusionist which are about names. Lots of people's experiences of growing up with an unusual name etc. Give it a listen, it's a great podcast and it might help you to decide.

I taught an Ariadne a few years ago, she was from a Greek family I think it’s much more popular over there. I don’t of it as a very unusual name just not a very common name. Definitely makes me think of spiders though!
Whereas as Olan I have never heard of and sounds much more unusual. I don’t really like it tbh I prefer Otis.

My name is uncommon but not rare, 30 odd years ago I used to get fed up of spelling it out for people and 90% of people would always get the first letter wrong which I thought was weird. Sometimes I used to feel embarrassed saying it although I didn't say that to my parents.
These days I don't have to spell it out for people and although it's not in the top 100 names I don't think it's not so uncommon as it once was.

DH has a very very unusual name, it's a family name that goes back five generations but it's so bad we stopped the tradition with DS1 immediately. I don't know anyone else except FIL with this name. DH hates it and calls himself by his middle name in embarrassment. Unless it's actually a nice name, don't do it.

Really, really don't think Ariadne is that unusual, I wouldn't bat an eyelid! I've never heard Olan but it's pretty inoffensive and straightforward. Do it!

I never comment on these threads (because it’s none of my business) but I love the name Ariadne. Just beautiful!

I’ll give that podcast a listen, a couple of people have mentioned it now and it’s an interesting topic.

I like Otis as well but it reminds me of Otis the Aardvark from the 90s! (Anyone remember that?)

I forgot to mention - no Greek connections here, so I can’t even use that excuse!

@nearthebig40 thank you for your input! And I don’t see why it would be none of your business, I’ve asked for opinions and want to hear from as many people that will listen

FWIW DD has a very unusual name
but its a family name
and is less rare in certain other countries
and she now uses a shortening of it
and it was and always be the right name for her
(she is 21 )