Does anyone else agree that “unique” names are becoming so common?

[Mamatolittleboy]

We called our boy a common name so this isn’t me having a bash. Just wondering if anyone else is finding this too?

I go to a lot of baby groups where woman tell me how much they wanted a unique name so called their baby Oakley, River or Forest. Names I’ve heard so much this year. All beautiful names, lovely names.

Went round a friends house the other day to meet her new baby. Gorgeous boy, they wanted an uncommon/rare name for him - Arlo.

tradgedeighs

I met a baby Zuzu the other day. I think they win.

Some people just don't get out that much.

@aletterfromseneca

They must have been living under a rock. Arlo has been doing the rounds on here for a decade. I’ve only just had a baby but I know three under three, and two cockapoos and a dachshund.

Wasn't the cutesy, mildly annoying little girl in It's a Wonderful Life called Zuzu?

Yes. I work in reception classes very regularly and normal names are such a delight. You hear of them less and less.

names just go in cycles and always have done - every single name was unique once

@FlyontheWheel yes the mum did say it's from a film!

@fattytum

A lot are just made up though. For example, I know a “Tyduss” as mum created it and liked the sound of it. Not sure if it’s an actual name though.

Oakley, River, Arlo are all normal names tho

names come in and out of fashion. I suppose what happens is people think they like a name because it is unique but really they’re liking that it fits the trends of the time.

I did the same. Thought I chose a unique name…few years later loads of kids called the same. Though not many my DD actual age.

They’re not normal in my world 🤣

I think a lot of people who don’t know many young children fail to take into account that name trends have moved on since they were at school. So they think Arlo and Luna are unusual as they didn’t go to school with any. I’ve bitten my tongue as a family member with a two year old Arthur was complaining how name became really popular since she named her son. I’d always use the Dark Greener site for reference.

Name trends are quite localised, and can form small micro trends. Oakley is popular nationwide, River just outside the top hundred for both sexes but For(r)est is more unusual (only 130 in England and Wales in 2021), and so all things being equal, wouldn’t expect to know dozens of young Forrests.

She was. Think it was short for Susannah.

@toastofthetown

At 35 I know plenty of young ones. I also have three and work in reception classes all over the county. It’s area dependent. Thinking of lots of 4 year olds that I’ve taught, I prefer the names you get in middle class schools. Just a preference.

I think if you don't have children, or know many little ones, you are a little ignorant to what is in vogue unless you actively seek it out. Names like Hunter, Phoenix, Arlo, Ava get mentioned on here when people ask for uncommon names but they're not that unusual (Arlo and Ava are in top 20 for England and Wales!). If you really want unusual you're looking at 70/80s names - Paul, Kelly, Kirsty, Craig.....

I was always quite keen on Violet but was the first of my friends to have babies (in my 30s) and was a little disappointed to see how popular it was as it wasn't when I was a child/teenager. My dd's name often comes up on here as a suggestion, it's around 250 most popular name but there are 3 in her school.

I imagine little RL Zuzu being pursued by people exclaiming 'ZUZU'S PETALS!!!'

Yes. But I think that was a nickname for Susan

We were at the start of a huge peak of popularity with both DDs names actually more traditional ones from our parents or older generation- so clearly either trend setters or picking up what was in the zeitgeist. I wouldn't have guessed and nothing in baby names sites was suggesting they'd suddenly get so popular.

In constant DS name started with 90 being given same name year he was born on that site linked above and dropped to 15 in 2021 and we've found people are more funny about it than the girls names.

True!

And it would really ramp up at Christmas time.

Too many of these names are common pet names now, lots of dogs called Arlo, River etc

Well if they're still rare where you are then yes they'll stand out. But the premise of the thread is that these "unique" are increasingly commonplace and therefore normal

We seem to have a lot of ordinary names (well Western ordinary names) like Ben, William, Oliver, George and girls are like Tabitha, Olivia, Bella etc

I know parents who wanted an unusual name so picked Ava five years ago I guess when it's your first baby it's easy to be unaware of trends.

I think some people are just in a world of their own or maybe don't do any research, not that they have to, if they like the name that's fine. It's so easy to go on Darker green and look at the popularity of a name over the years.

I know someone that was disappointed a friend had stolen her unique choice of name, Arlo! And another very middle class couple I know through work that called their son Jayden because they thought it was unusual! In their friendship group it's probably unheard of.

I always think the best way to avoid a common name is to stick with a classic. It might be popular but never common.