Unusual names

[Bibiboo]

I'm thinking of some unusual names for baby and can't decide whether it would be a blessing (being individual) or a curse (forever having to repeat it/spell it)? Any advice/experience y ou gals can give me?

My name is Welsh so isn't all that common outside Wales, but there were 3 of us in my class at Secondary school and we were referred to as name B, nameT and nameL (or Brown, Thomas and Lloyd) which wasn't all that nice.

My kids have unusual-ish names. To be fair, though, ds has an extremely traditional Dutch name which isn't known over here. Plus the spelling (there's a silent "j" in the middle) does us no favours. But I guess I'm confident that I've given my children beautiful names which are unusual w/out being silly and that some dayeven if there is some teasing in the interimthey'll come to appreciate their names. I also like to think that one of the positive things about globalization is a greater acceptance of other cultures and the differences (including names) that come with those cultures. So I'm HOPING that an unusual name won't be as much of a problem as it was for previous generations, esp in a more cosmopolitan area such as London.

Also, believe me, Nobody Ever Forgets. Especially when you've snarled at them 110 times about the spelling

Ds has a v unusual name. We love Irish names, we wanted to use authentic Irish spelling but one that is pronounced phonetically by English people (e.g. Aoife wouldn't do, but Caitlin would). And we found one! And still people asked for a pronunciation guide!

The other thing I found bizarre is that I assumed that having an unusual name would give ds real identity and everyone would know him. But so many people forget his name - a linguist friend (who called her ds Tom) explained that people need a memory hook to hang the name on, and couldn't find one for an unusual name.

I am relieved that ds is 1/4 Irish because so often I am asked to repeat his name and then asked "that's an unusual name, where's it from?" And I feel good that he has at least some connection!

Still, I would go for unusual name again.

I have a normal name with an unusual spelling and it is the bane of my life. Everyone sends me incorrectly named stuff - mildly irritating if it is just friends but formal documents/forms etc. is jsut downright annoying and time wasting having tos end them back to be corrected. I also have to spell out my name everytime anyone asks for it and then listen to the "sorry can you repeat tha?" followed by the "ooh, how unusual how did you get that name.." etc. etc. I think that having an unusual name is fine as long as the spelling is fairly obvious.
If you want to go for something really unusual and exotic but don?t want your child to feel it a potential burden, how about saving it for a middle name and using a more conventional first name so that when they are older they have a choice. My SIL called her daughter Isobel Leonie and her second son is called Max Django (ooh, wonder if she is a mnetter and will spot me!)

Mine have unusual names in that they are not popular but people know how to spell them (along the lines of baby Apple... but nicer ). I felt it was important for them not to have to spell them as they will have to spell their surname.

Mine was unusual when I was born but now there are loads of late teens with my name which will be great in knocking years off my age in the future - hurray!

Angeliz - I have a colleague called Anra - I think a very pretty variation on your fav name. It's unusual but doesn't seem to get mis-spelt or forgotten at all.

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There's a difference between an "unusual" name and a "ridiculous" name that you've made up because you want your child to be the only one called that.... That's just my opinion though

btw - I think all the names suggested so far are nice!!

Agree with Twiglett. I know of 3 Noahs and 5 Felixs but only 1 John...

i like unusual names - but not to unusual my name was very unusal 25 yrs ago little popular now - ELISE

DD'S NAME ISLA

A work colleague called her little girl Eilidh (not 100% sure of spelling but it's pronounced eilish) and people were always reading it as Eyelid. Not good.

Can't tell you how pleased I am that you're all so positive about unusual names - I think DH confuses "unusual" with "ridiculous".

We did both agree that we wanted Welsh names for our babies, but as Bron said, some can look very ugly when written down. A fave of ours was Myfanwy but an English friend asked me on email why on earth I'd call my baby My-Fanny which ruined it for me.

We also loved Angharad but had the same problem of people mis-pronouncing, and al the Angharads I know being shortened to Angie (which I really dislike - no ofence) but then DH came up with the idea of Angharad becoming Harry for short which I think is cute and unusual for a little girl

my dd has an unusual name - especially where she was born (UK) her name is an aboriginal word for daughter - very nice name but easily spelt - phontecially and said exactly as it was spelt and we still have so many variations on it when people read it. There are a couple here in AUstralia but still an unusual name - not ridiculous though.

As the mother of Caleb & Myfanwy, you can guess I also like unusual names. But I have tended to go for more traditional middle names, they can use instead in years to come if they really hated what we call them

I thnk unusual is fine. Listen whatever you call your baby there are going to those that say 'oooohhhh, how lovely' and those that say... well they don't say anythinf that's the problem. they just kind of go 'oohhh ..... right'!!!!

My frien had a baby recently and I'm going to have to be one of the ones that say 'ohhhh......... right'!!!!!

There's a girl in L's nursery called.... should I say.... oh no better not actually,

bottom lin is go for it kid! The names you've mentioned sound great, although your friend had a point about my-fanny, I mean Myfanwy!! Sorry, couldn't resist

dd's name is unusual. i had heard of it before but i dont know of anyone with the same name. people either say "ooh thats soo pretty" or just nod! i dont think anyone will be able to tease her as although its unusual, its not the name of a place or an item etc.

Bibiboo, I love Welsh names. I went to college there so like my vague Welsh connection. I think your choices are all lovely and I wish dp was keener on some of them.

My surname is unusual (we are the only family in the country with this name) and although spelling it gets a bit dull, I wish I hadn't agreed to db having dp's name! Ah well....

Agree with you stripymouse. My DS1 and DD have names that are less common (have only heard of one child with DD's name) but they are not spelled oddly, just old-fashioned. Most people when hearing them say they have a grandad/great-uncle or aunt with that name and I don't think I have ever been asked to spell them. Some say oh yes, that's nice, these old names are coming back. Others clearly think I'm mad but that's their problem! DS1 really suits his name anyway. And at least he's the only one; his reception year features at least 4 Matthews and 3 Jameses. Nice names but I prefer something less popular. I think some people prefer wacky names for girls and more regualr ones for girls. I myself have a relatively unusual name so I am usually the only one anyoen knows which is good when phoning etc; however people are always spelling it wrong which does annoy, so make sure the spelling is obvious I would say. Must be a right pain to be called Zoie like someone I spoke to the other day.

My dd is Emilia not Amelia and that causes a few problems, also my kids have Irish middle names as do I and they cause untold confusion.
If you like it call them it, to hell with bureaucracy

sorry, meant regular names for BOYS. That'll teach me not to preview!
DS2's name BTW is quite popular, and you can shorten it, both no-nos before but we just couldn't agree!

i hate my name...it NEVER gets spelt right!!!