Would you drop a favorite name.....
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Would you drop a favorite name.....
| Wed, 06-16-2004 - 5:10pm |
because it's too "popular"? My DH and I really like a certain girls name, but everyone says "I like it, but it's way too popular", like it's something really negative. So many people have said this, even on this bored, that it's starting to make me not want to name her this (if it is a girl). I'm a little irritated by it. I know I shouldn't care what others think, but on the other hand, do I want a more unique name? I'm so confused! Luckily I'm only 13 weeks and we have lots of time to think about it. Thanks!


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I don't care about uniqueness as much. I would go with a name I loved, even if it were on the more popular side. I really love the names Allison and Alexandra, and both are fairly high up there on the popularity charts, but I would still use one of them if I had a daughter. I think its better to name a child a more common, mainstream name than something like Moonstar, anyway. I'd rather see another Elizabeth or Caitlin anyday! From a child's standpoint -- no one wants to be made fun of for having a really odd name -- so I don't think a popular name is so much of a detriment.
Also, the odds of having 5 Ashleys in one class are really slim. I think people on this board are very focused on statistics like the Social Security Administration rankings and such, but in real life, people use a variety of names. Especially with girls -- there are SO many names to choose from. So, just because Emily may be the number one name, does not mean that half the population is naming their child that! It is probably still a very small percentage of the population that use the name (less than 1%!)
So bottom line: I myself don't see popularity as a negative. I think if you love a name, you should use it! And everyone has opinions, so I'm sure if you chose an unusual name, people would say "What?" and point out the negatives of difficult spelling/pronounciation, etc.
Hope this helps.
Shannon
If your last name is long and/or difficult to spell or pronounce, your child would probably be grateful to have a first name that is well known and easy to spell. A friend of mine felt it was very important to give her children names that were popular enough that they could always find pencils, stickers, Christmas ornaments, etc., with their names on them. Her name is more uncommon, so she had never been able to get those as a kid without special ordering them. That stuck with her, and influenced her decisions, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think people are just pointing out how common the names are, because many people choose a name without checking popularity lists, think it's unique because they've never heard it, then are shocked when there are 10 other kids with the same or similar names in their kindergarten class! Since popularity isn't a factor for you, take those suggestions with a grain of salt, and choose the name you and your DH love most.
Just my $.02!
Jen
The important thing is that you name your baby something you love. If you love the name Emily, Madison, or Tatonka, and can't imagine naming your dd anything else but that name, then go for it. Trendiness, popularity, creativeness, be darned.
Good Luck!!
Jorie
The other reason I keep harping about popularity is that we named our DD Olivia last year, having absolutely no clue that it was popular at all, let alone number 5 for 2003. If we'd known we might still have named her that, but we might not have. There are plenty of names that are in the top 50 or 100, but not the top 10, that everyone will recognize. That's what we're shooting for with DD#2--popular enough, but not excessively so.
I know you probably don't want us all to ruin your name for you, but if you feel comfortable sharing, do tell us what the "certain" name is.
If you love a name use it! I still love the name Ashley, it's really nice, but I do feel it's everywhere so I wouldn't use it MYSELF.(and I prefer it when it was a boy's name!)
Really, your the only one who needs to like your child's name anyway (and your child too unless you call them moonbeam! or something)
I would just pick my favorite name and not think twice about it.
I've never met a Kaitlyn and I've never met an Alexis even if I had would you like the name less? No. So go with it. FYI: Katilyn Emma is my favorite of the two names.
Actually Alexis went down from 5th to 7th in 2003. We may have a downward trend =)
And Kaitlyn (that spelling) is all the way down to 32 in 2002 and 2003.
Caitlyn was 145 in 2003! All-in-all Katilyn doesn't seem *extremely* popular to me.
-peggy
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