Too Popular?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2007
Too Popular?
16
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 10:44am
I really like the names Katelyn or Lillian for first names, but I'm wondering if they are too popular right now. If I go with those names, Kate and Lillie will probably be used as nicknames, but not necessarily. Are they too popular right now?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 10:57am

Katelyn (any spelling) is wildly popular - Lillian less so. I am so biased towards the name Kate - I just adore it, so I may not be much help. Personally, I would just go with Kate as a name - Katelyn is overused, IMO, but if you love it and plan to call her Kate, I wouldn't let the popularity of the name stop you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 11:01am

They are too popular for my taste, IMO. Neither name will come up in the top 10 because of all the spelling variations (Lily vs. Lillie vs. Lilli, etc), but they are everywhere. If you are set on one of these two, I'd use Lillian but not shorten it to Lillie. Lillian in the full form is heard a lot less often, and is 49th in popularity, which isn't bad.


All forms of Katelyn/Caitlyn, etc are heard all the time right now. In fact, I think Kate is heard less often, but would still have the same sound as all the Katelyn, Kaylins, Kylees, etc. So you have to take in account not only the actual name you've chosen, but all the variations that are so popular right now.


Just my opinion, since you asked. Good luck deciding!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2005
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 11:06am

I think it depends on how much popularity bothers you. Personally, those names are WAY too popular for me. But then I like names that are quite uncommon.

Part of the reason those names feel so popular is that there are so many similar names. Your daughter might be the only Katelyn or Lillian in her class, but there will likely be a Kate/Kaitlyn/Caitlin/Kaylen/etc and a Lily/Lilianna/Lilah/etc.

Here is my thought on popular names in general: popularity doesn't make a name bad. It's just one factor to be considered. If you love a name or you have an emotional connection to a name, you should use it despite its popularity. However, if you hear a popular name and like it, you should probably keep looking and see if there is a less-popular name you like just as much.

In this case, it sounds like you like Kaitlyn and Lillian, but aren't absolutely in love with either. If I were you, I'd keep looking. You don't have to give up on them completely, just hold them in reserve while you look for some more options.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2006
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 11:30am

I agree with what Annie said about popularity. Here are some alternatives to the popular Kate and Lily:

Lila
Calla, nn Callie
Iris
Ivy
Cora
Maisie
Caroline, nn Carly
Camille, nn Cami
Joanne, nn Josie
Elizabeth, nn Libby
Sarah, nn Sadie
Rosalie, nn Rose/Rosie

Good luck,
Brooke

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 12:33pm
I think Katelyn is much more popular (and trendier) than Lillian, so I would definitely go with Lillian.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2005
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 12:40pm

To answer your question in a round about sorta way...my cousins daughter is named Lily Kate and my sister is naming her daughter (due next month) Katie.

michele

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2006
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:16pm
I think Katelyn was popular a few years ago, and I'm not sure if it's lost it's popularity yet. I love the nickname Kate though. Soooo pretty!!!! Lillian seems like it has gained alot of popularity recently. So, if you're looking for an uncommon name, that might not be a good choice, although I think it's a pretty name also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:52pm
hello!! katelyn is EXTREMELY popular in my area-i know of at least 5 off the bat-all different spellings and different ages, but its really popular. now lillian is not as popular-i know of 1 and shes 6. lillian is pretty and i love it...i also love the nn lillie...i was considering it when i was expecting my oldest dd-i decided to go with another flower though and named her violet...good luck to you!!
joanne
maman2goons@aol.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:55pm
hello!! i just caught a look at your pic in the siggy-and lol. so your dd decided to give her baby a bath in the toilet too?? my oldest did that a couple of times...my youngest just enjoys writing on the baby dolls with markers...toddlers!! UG! LOL
joanne
maman2goons@aol.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
In reply to: newmom0407
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 1:58pm

Yep, at least for me I would never use either because of the popularity. Lily seems to be more up and coming... it will be the next big name. Kaitlyn isn't as popular as it was, but Kate is also a nn for Katherine, and a name on its own. If you go with Kaitlyn, I would stick with the original Caitlin spelling. To me, it looks prettier and more feminine. Kaitlyn is just the Americanized version, but it doesn't look nearly as nice. Caitlin would also differentiate her from all those popular K names. Katelyn, the spelling you chose, looks even worse to me. Almost as if you are trying to make the nn Kate more obvious, but it doesn't need to be spelt right in there for her to use it.

-Nikki


                             

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