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Original poster

Are really popular names really that bad?

95 replies

GYoIsReallyHavingABaby · 25/02/2009 12:07

Hello
Due in 3 wks and the only boys name we both like is super popular where I live. Think we are ok with a girls names.

Since we have have common surname (not smith or brown but similar) so were originally looking at something a bit different but we cant agree on anything a bit different. I've always been adamant to not choose something popular but cant really work out why I've thought this, IYSWIM.

Who has DCs with really popular names and does it really matter? Suppose the worst issue is lots of kids with same name in class at school.

Thank you!

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matildax · 25/02/2009 12:15

don't see why it would matter if the name you choose is popular or not.
if you like it, then use it, its your child.

however i draw the line at 'f**ked up" celeb names.
can you imagine..... "princess tiaamii, get in your teas ready"!!!

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 25/02/2009 12:16

I feel the same. DS1's name is very popular, and has become more so in the two years since we chose it. I'm pregnant with DS2 and, as we're naming him after DH's grandfather, will have a VERY popular name (all those old names are back in now aren't they?).

Names always go in cycles. My parents named me 32 years ago and no one could even spell it, or say it. It's been in the top 5 names for girls in the last ten years. I'm a teacher so I look forward to an influx of kids with my name in the next 5-6 years!

Go ahead and name your child what you want. Who cares?

Good luck with it all xx

electra · 25/02/2009 12:17

Not bad at all as long as you like the name imo.

lastboxoftampons · 25/02/2009 12:17

Hey GYO!
I don't think it's bad as long as you're prepared to hear lots of little ones with the same names - especially when it's time for school.

I remember there always being about 3 or 4 Jessica's or Tom's in my classes as a kid. But it's only for such a short amount of time - ie primary school - before kids start moving in different 'cliques' anyway.

If it's what you like, it's what you like - names are popular because lots of people like them!

sonniebonnie · 25/02/2009 12:22

There is nothing 'bad' with popular name.... but personally I prefer to have (and give my children) more unique names so that 1) they won't be one of many Jacks or Toms and 2) their names will be more easily remembered.

I guess, the whole point of 'naming' something or someone is that it identifies it or him/her as a unique thing or person.

But most importantly, choose a name you love!

TickleMe · 25/02/2009 12:28

I have a very popular name and where ever I went as a child there would always be another girl with my name, every class, brownies, guides, swimming, friends met on holidays - everywhere And it never bothered me one little bit!

I now work with someone who has my name and it still doesn't bother me (although bizarly it does bother me when they spell it differently as I always think they are spelling it wrong)

Ceebee74 · 25/02/2009 12:32

Ds1 has a very popular name - has been in the top 5 (at least) for the last few years but I loved the name so I wanted to use it. He goes to nursery...and do you know what, he is the only one there with that name - I know this will change when he gets to school though!

DS2 - another popular name (top 20 this time) but, again, it was the only name me and Dh could agree on.

Both times, I have gone for names I like - that is the most important thing.

lolianja · 25/02/2009 15:18

I have a really popular name and never had any issues standing out from the crowd - even if your name is shared by myriad others in a close proximity eg class at school, it's still "your" name. Giving a child a more memorable name doesn't make them any more memorable than Matt, Lucy or Nick in the same class. As I'm constantly pontificating about () the girl with the most colourful, insane, ridiculous, unusual fluff-fest of a double-barrel name was so utterly tedious that she had no real identity beyond the name, as terrible as that sounds. In terms of placement in my memory, all I could think of when I scrolled past the name on Friends Reunited was the name (which was not only insane, but vile I must admit).

Contrastingly, the lad that was the epitome of the term "real character"/"one off" etc, a legend wherever he trod, absolutely unforgettable and who evoked numerous hilarious memories the moment I saw the name was called Jack.

98% of the names I love are either very common or very much established/used to be common, now slightly passé. I really don't see the problem with common names. Whilst, within reason, every parent has the right to name their child whatever they want, it really boils my piss when somebody on here falls for a name, then has an episode and does the "Oh no I CAN'T, back to the drawing board" routine when they discover it's at number 80, or whatever. Jesus Christ. The very definition of pathetic.

ClaraDeLaNoche · 25/02/2009 15:29

Popular names are usually popular because they are nice, so go for it.

kitty78 · 25/02/2009 15:37

From the age of 10 I was determined that my first born daughter would be called Lily, which at the time wasn't a popular name. However, 17 years later when I finally got pregnant the name was rife, even now at my daughter's playgroup there are at least 6 of them and only roughly 30 children there altogether. Sometimes I feel slightly bereft that I didn't use the name, others I'm rather glad that my daughter now has an individual name (but not in the least wacky!).

In summary, after all my waffling - I suppose what you have to ask yourself is do you love the name enough to allow your child to be one of many or if like me everytime you hear the name will you feel the urge to shout at the parent "THAT WAS MY NAME - HOW VERY DARE YOU!!!" for the rest of your days?!

P.S. Excuse me am bonkers pregnant, cannot for the life of me decide on a name and have quite clearly got issues!

kitty78 · 25/02/2009 15:38

Oh my God, have just re-read my above post - please note that I wasn't trying to get pregnant from age 10!!!!!!

ClaraDeLaNoche · 25/02/2009 15:43

Kitty not 10 but you got pregnant at age 30. I am secret mind reader.

kitty78 · 25/02/2009 15:44

Actually age 27 and then again at 30 but well done. Don't suppose you know the sex of my unborn do you?

ClaraDeLaNoche · 25/02/2009 15:48

it will be a boy. You will call him D'Artagnan. You will wish later that you had gone with Jack.

kitty78 · 25/02/2009 15:57

I shall call him D'Artagnan Jack - and perhaps Loser for short. Many thanks for your assistance!

intheLiffey · 25/02/2009 16:08

I was so determined that dd wouldn't have a name in the top 100. Now I sometimes wish I@d called her Phoebe, the name I ruled out because it was 'too popular'. I do not personally know another Phoebe. Outside top 20 is ok I think.

KERALA1 · 25/02/2009 19:48

Really dont agree with lolinja. We were going to go for Olivia throughout the pregnancy. When I found out it was no. 1 in the names list we switched and went for a more unusual name. So glad I did. The first baby class I went to had 4 Olivias in it - fine if that dosent bother you but would really get on my nerves. Why follow the crowd?

popsycal · 25/02/2009 19:51

I have three boys two of whose names are in the top 5 - one of them has been in the top five for years and years. DS3's name is popular too but more so 5-10 years ago I think (goes off to check old name lists)

We have a commonish surname in this region
If you like it, go for it

popsycal · 25/02/2009 19:52

ineedmorechocolate ds1 and 2's popular names were mine and dh's grandfathers names

popsycal · 25/02/2009 19:53

Oh and ds1's name has already been mentioned on this thread about 4 times and he is the only one in his year, as is ds2

MrsMattie · 25/02/2009 19:54

Totally a personal thing. I don't like really popular names, but I also don't like 'unique' names () or names that are so outlandish they sound pretentious. I have deliberately chosen names that aren't weird but aren't in the top 100 for both my children. But it's all a bit of a gamble isn't it? Names come in and out fashion, and who's to say that my kid's names won't suddenly become Top 10? I have a good friend called Ella who is 32 and was the only Ella she knew growing up. Now there are five at DS's school.

herbietea · 25/02/2009 19:56

This reply has been deleted

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BarbaraWoodlouse · 25/02/2009 19:57

I think the issue with really popular names (3-4 in a class type popular) is that your child is likely to go through school, if not beyond, being known by their name+surname or name+surname initial.

Might not bother you but it would make me hesitate I think.

BarbaraWoodlouse · 25/02/2009 19:58

In my class (1970s) they were the Sarahs and Lisas...

noonki · 25/02/2009 20:00

I have to admit that I prefer a name that isnt too 'trendy', partly as they seem to age more quickly.

I had a friend who was called Jade, who is in her own thirties.

when we were little it was so unusal she would have to repeat it, by the time we were teenagers it had a real stigma to it and she hated it.