Something I’ve noticed….

[CurlewKate]

It doesn’t matter how unusual a name someone suggests-there will be posters who know loads of them. Bearing in mind that there are around 700000 babies born every year, the chances of anyone knowing several of a name that only around 100 babies are given has to be practically 0, surely? (Don’t call me Shirley!)

But hundred babies are year add up to 1000 children within 10 years!

I suppose it depends on what people term unusual? Seren is hugely common where I am, but the other side of the bridge seems to be considered unusual. Also I think some people like to think their name choice is unusual... that's probably the crux of it.

Perhaps base the name on their Mumsnet username - they are unique. One can always add a number, if necessary, for subsequent babies.

I think it’s possible. Saying that, I just checked the ONS for 2023 and less than 50 babies had either mine or my DD’s name.

But then it’s out of 2800000 children!

Popularity varies from area to area.

I often find that if someone asks for help deciding between two names, one statistically popular and one not so, most people will automatically say "go for (less popular name) as (more popular name) is far too popular", and often I'll be sitting there thinking "I actually know far more children called (less popular name) around me, than I do (more popular name). It does happen, where you can get random pockets of a statistically less popular name on a national level, in a particular area.

I know loads of children called Coby/Kobe/Kobi, for example, and yet we hardly have any children called Theo around me. That's just one random example, but it does happen.

Another example is Mila, which is ridiculously popular around me right now. If someone started a poll between Mila and Ava, I can guarantee most will say "go for Mila, there are too many girls called Ava". Yet around me, Mila would be a lot more likely to be duplicated at school.

Love that name ⭐️

Agree with pp, when looking at the stats and figures, you’re seeing it as being an even spread, when its generally going to be regionalised and have cultural patterns.

I work with babies and young children, I meet at least 200 little kids a week, I absolutely know a few of each name (hence being very specific about only considering names outside of the current top 1000 for my own DC) Naturally that doesn’t mean there aren’t any others with their names. But I’m statistically less likely to meet them.

This week I have met several named George, Alfie, Archie, Theo and Arlo. So far so normal.

Last week we had three little girls called Betty in the same day. And a few days ago two kids called Lotte in the same group. One class had three Alexs, two boys and one girl, and two Delilahs and a Lilah.

@CurlewKate , name popularity is regional. If there are only two babies with a name , chances are they will be local to each other.