Would you choose a baby name you know most people dislike?

[BisB]

We're considering giving our daughter a name that we already know is going to be almost universally disliked. It's a very uncommon name (don't think there have been any registered in the UK). We both think it's pretty, and it has (religious) meaning for us. Our other children have more common names that are generally liked by the majority of people. We have saved this name prior to this baby because I haven't been brave enough to use it. DH really wants to just go for it. He couldn't care less about what other people think, but I am more concerned that they're going to be cruel and judgemental and think that we were trying too hard to be "unique" (which isn't our intention). I would like to avoid saying the name on this thread because I am looking for opinions on the situation rather than opinions on the name itself. What would you do?

OP, if you like the name, and you’re sure it’s not going to have any negative repercussions for your DC, then go for it - but give them a less unusual middle name so that when they are older, they have the choice.

I second this.

As long as it has no negative connotations, any name is a good name. A solid middle name should take care of any eventuality

You obviously love it and you'll regret not using it this time around either.

None registered in the uk ? Ok, so I’ll be the first to ask what’s the name …
is it MYRA, vaguely remember a post that since Myra hindley none have been registered

By saying the name here, you'll be able to see what kind of reactions you'll get. If you don't feel comfortable saying it anonymously, then how will you ever say it in person where you're not anonymous? How could you expect your child to live with it if you're embarrassed by it?

I think the important question is why it is disliked so much,

If because people say they associate it with a famous person of that name- like Myra- I'd say go for it, name associations change and are forgotten all the time.

If it is because it sounds like an STD- I would probably not.

If its just old fashioned- Doris say- I'd say go for it, fashions change and a lot of names cycle in and out of popularity.

For what its worth people were pretty negative before I called our son Felix (that's a cat name!) but after he was here they said they actually really liked it on him.

Would you like your little girl to have a name that nobody will like?

I predict that it will be disliked because of the very obvious religious association and because it's not at all a traditional name.

My guess would be something like Immaculata. Does it have good diminutives? E.g. for Immaculata could be Immie. She would definitely need a middle name you both love too, in case she prefers to go by it.

I wouldn’t. No matter how much I liked it, if I thought it would negatively affect the child I wouldn’t.

I saw someone’s name written down the other day… Candida…

Religious names are common in Africa, think Mercy, Blessed, Blessing, Godfrey etc. No one bats an eyelid. As long as it’s not Lucifer or Demon, it’ll be fine.

She will have to explain again and again. I don't know as you haven't mentioned the name.

children grow into their names - if you love it say it with pride!

I have a 3rd with an unusual name - no other in school or work etc

She loves it too!

We chose a name that seems to be pretty universally disliked in RL (it has mostly positive feedback on MN). When we announced the name, we were met with a few seconds of silence while people worked out something polite to say… “Oh, how unusual”, or “that’s a very old name.”

DH and I like the name, and more importantly, DD who has to live with it, likes it too. And everyone who disliked it has got used to it.

I am happy to share the name, btw. It’s Esther.

Is it something like chastity? If so, I’d have a rethink.

I met an “Edna” at a gala on Wednesday and thought it was a great if unusual/uncommon name.

If everyone is going to hate it I doubt your daughter will like it so no.

I'm nervous about revealing it, but it's Nazareth.

Oh! I like it! & I’m a complete Atheist if it’s relevant

🤦🏼‍♀️ well it’s not great is it

Naz! Cute!

A similar one I met recently was Assumpta.
My hunch is that it’s more extreme as it’s never been used before. We would have to know which religion, though.
Seriously, bearing in mind some of the religious tensions at present, is it wise to use a clearly religious name?

No.
Why would I want to give someone I love a name that I believed everyone hated ?

I quite like it. It reminds me of Elizabeth (in sound and look), just much more unusual.

Well I’m not keen , and never actually heard it apart from a place name , but don’t understand the negative attachments ? Is there a famous Nazareth that I’m missing ? But ultimately you do you

A chance she will be mercilessly teased. Every year at school etc. I really really wouldn’t do it. She will resent you as a teen when she wants to blend in. Can you imagine?!