Avoid Common Baby Names

Would You Avoid Choosing a Common Name For Babe?

December 5, 2010

There were so many Michaels and Daniels in school when I was growing up that most of those boys were also known by the first letter of their last name. When there were duplicates, the children went by their full names. That, or they decided on a nickname — Mike, Mikey, Dan, Danny, initials, etc. If someone called out one of the common monikers, several kiddos turned around. Some people find comfort in everyone knowing their name. Others prefer a unique label. What's your opinion?

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11 Comments

Stephanie-Marie 48 weeks 6 days

It's interesting to me how everyone doesn't want to give their child a "common" name, but then ends up giving them a common-unique name like Jadyn, I think having 2 michaels in a class is way less awkward than having 2 Brinleys. (Not that I don't like those names, but when given for the sake of being unique is a strange choice) Thats why I think its important to watch those Top 100 Lists (or check the social security website) and if you want a unique name to actually choose a unique name.

Girl Jen 2 years 24 weeks

My name is Jennifer and I was born in the 80s. [cue laugh track] My daughter has one of the most common names in the history of nomenclature. Her name is Elizabeth. It was the tenth most popular name in 2007. But it's a name that I like, one that sounds like a strong feminine name. Besides, she can make it her own. If she decides one day that she'd rather go by another nickname than Liz, maybe Betsy or Betty or Tibbie or Beth, that's fine. Popularity didn't really factor into my decision. The other names on my list were Anna, Sarah, and Emily. Sure, it's annoying going by a first name and a last initial (or just a last name, like I have to do at work now), but it has never really caused me any emotional distress. Knowing that my dad chose my name because he loved it so much makes me love it, too.

kmckay 2 years 24 weeks

I have crossed names off my list because they were getting popular. I always check out the lists of top 100. I knew what my daughter's initials were going to be (after my dad) and her 1st name changed a couple times over the years (before I was preggo obviously) because of trends. She's 4 months old, I adore her name, and I have never met or heard of anyone else with it.

FrankiLee 2 years 24 weeks

I just picked the name I liked. And Like MissSushi, the names I happen to like are usually uncommon. Like others have said, I like to choose a name that I love, or has a special meaning, rather than just trying to stray away from the norm. My daughter's first name is Tatum (I have ADORED that name for years and years, before I even contemplated having a child) and her middle name is Blair, after my brother. So I didn't choose just because they were uncommon, but because I loved them and they have special meaning to me.

MissSushi 2 years 24 weeks

I didn't avoid common names just because they are common. I just happen to usually like less common names. Both the names I chose were real names - not made up, or changed with random vowels, but they are very uncommon, and one is japanese. I think you should choose the names that mean something to you and that you truly like, no matter how many people are or are not using those names.

amandachalynn 2 years 24 weeks

We like to stick with family names. I don't really pay attention to name popularity. I was one of 4 Amandas in my high school dance class, but Since I've been in the 'real world' I've rarely come across another. I don't think these things matter in the long run, and I'd rather give my child a name that has meaning to us, even if other people are using it.

RoaringSilence 2 years 24 weeks

Au contraire. I'd hope the name didn't seem like something completely out of the ordinary.

snowysakurasky 2 years 24 weeks

i tried not to name my daughter a common name, but the name i liked for so long is soooo popular now (Chloe) and everytime someone else named their baby that, i was like, hey thats my name! So we named her that knowing that it was in the top ten, and are hoping for the best. it is in the top ten for canada and the US. however we are moving to Quebec next year (if everything goes as planned) and Chloé is not in the top ten there, but is in the top 20. Its also popular in the UK and France... so, pretty much everywhere we would live except asia. :S well, she has a couple of middle names to choose from if she wishes.

2 years 24 weeks

Yes, I've chosen against a name because it's too common. Especially once I had older kids and there were at least three of a certain name per grade. (I don't want to say which one and offend anyone, it's not a bad name - obviously I think that because it was my list of names to choose from - it's just incredibly common here.) It's another reason I don't mind so-called "made up" names. All names had to start somewhere.

amber512 2 years 24 weeks

I want to name my first boy John, after my grandfather. I don't care whether it is common then or not. Besides, his might be the most unique with what people come up with nowadays!

lickety split 2 years 24 weeks

My middle daughter is named Kelly. We switched what was to be her first name for her middle name at the last minute. Anyway, as we were leaving the hospital I suddenly thought about years of her being one of 6 Kellys in her class. She's nearly 12 now and she's never had another Kelly in a class, on a sports team, scout troop, etc. The name that keeps popping up with her peers is Olivia. Anyway, my point is you can't always predict what will happen with names.

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