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Your 'Uncommon' Baby Name Is Everywhere
Filed under: Baby Names
A number of friends have told me that they've selected "uncommon" and/or "old -fashioned" names for their babies -- and then they proceed to say that the baby will be called Ava, Olivia, Isabella, Aiden, etc. They are all perfectly good choices, and there is nothing wrong with selecting a popular name -- but they honestly believe that these names are uncommon. They apparently don't follow baby-naming trends whatsoever. When this happens, should I tell them that the name they chose isn't as unusual as they think it is? Or smile and nod and then secretly giggle when their child is "Ava C." or "Aiden #4" in their kindergarten classroom?
- Common Conundrum
My dear, there's a name for people like you. (Don't worry, it's a polite name.) You're a Name Enthusiast. Like us, you carry special knowledge, and see things in baby names that others don't. The challenge for you, Ms. Enthusiast, is to spread the name knowledge around without coming off like a bore, or boor, as the case may be.
First rule: If the baby is already born, the only proper response to her name is "how lovely!" But if the name is still just a plan, I believe you can do a good deed by correcting parents' misperceptions. After all, a mom who chooses Ava to be "unique" is setting herself up for a whopping case of namer's remorse.
You don't have to tell the parents that they're wrong. Instead, lend them a little of your own name knowledge and help them discover the truth for themselves. Try this on a mom who says she likes the unusual: "Oh, aren't name popularity trends fascinating? Have you looked at this great website that shows you what's popular?" Then, send her to the NameVoyager at BabyNameWizard.com. She'll thank you!
The prospective Ava parents will surely type in that name and see its soaring popularity graph. That will either scare them off the name, or make them realize that they love Ava so much that it's worth risking "Ava C." status. Either way, they should end up happier with the name they choose.
Have you tried to give baby name advice? Share your experiences! And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
- Common Conundrum
My dear, there's a name for people like you. (Don't worry, it's a polite name.) You're a Name Enthusiast. Like us, you carry special knowledge, and see things in baby names that others don't. The challenge for you, Ms. Enthusiast, is to spread the name knowledge around without coming off like a bore, or boor, as the case may be.
First rule: If the baby is already born, the only proper response to her name is "how lovely!" But if the name is still just a plan, I believe you can do a good deed by correcting parents' misperceptions. After all, a mom who chooses Ava to be "unique" is setting herself up for a whopping case of namer's remorse.
You don't have to tell the parents that they're wrong. Instead, lend them a little of your own name knowledge and help them discover the truth for themselves. Try this on a mom who says she likes the unusual: "Oh, aren't name popularity trends fascinating? Have you looked at this great website that shows you what's popular?" Then, send her to the NameVoyager at BabyNameWizard.com. She'll thank you!
The prospective Ava parents will surely type in that name and see its soaring popularity graph. That will either scare them off the name, or make them realize that they love Ava so much that it's worth risking "Ava C." status. Either way, they should end up happier with the name they choose.
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Have you tried to give baby name advice? Share your experiences! And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-03-2009 @ 11:45AM
Daisy said...I believe that you should only pick a name because you like it and not because its so uncommon. A child has a personality that makes it stand out from the crowd and not its uncommon name. I agree you don't wanna spoil the parents joy by telling them that their newly born's exclusive name ranks top in most popular baby names. If the baby has not arrived yet then that website might be a smart option.
http://www.womansindex.com
Reply
8-03-2009 @ 3:04PM
Abby@AppMtn said...Daisy, I agree that there's nothing wrong with a Top Ten - or Top Two! - baby name. But the issue is that the parents feel like they've discovered a gem, a name that NO ONE has thought of! When they express those kinds of thoughts, I think it is a kindness to send them over to a site like www.nameberry.com. (I know the mom of an Ava who was surprised - and very disappointed - when she realized that her Ava was one of many.)
If your friend uses Ava or Aiden anyhow, no worries. (I know the mom of a Hannah who couldn't care less that her daughter is going through life as Hannah N.) But there's nothing wrong with knowing that first.
I'd mention it, and admit that I'm a name junkie.
8-03-2009 @ 3:47PM
Constance said...I agree with Daisy. I think a parent should choose a name that they feel is right, not because no one else has it. Keep in mind, if the name is too 'unique,' the child may be proned to teasing later. I hated my name for years because no one else had it but now I love it. If you feel your daughter is an 'Ashley' then so be it! I'm sure your daughter would appreciate a classic name then following Gwenyth Paltrow's decision of naming her daughter 'Apple'
8-03-2009 @ 8:45PM
Tom said...I think I have three little girls on my block names Ava in fact. :)
Reply
8-03-2009 @ 9:13PM
tkt said...i thought i was unique in naming my daughter Skylyn- turns out my son goes to school with a skyelynn. bummer!!!
Reply
8-10-2009 @ 5:05PM
gramof8 said...Call me old-fashioned but I don't think parents really think about the repercussions of naming their baby something truly rediculous! For instance, there has been two new baby girls born in July with the following names. Seven, yes Seven, and, ready? December Skye! These 2 little girls will be teased I'm sure. Well, all I can say is "To each his own".
8-20-2009 @ 5:38AM
Timmarilyn said...i love love love the name seven. i wanted to give the name seven to both of my girls but was unsuccessful both times. the rest of the family just didnt accept the idea. but i love the name none the less. there is actually a sinfeld episode where george tries to push the name seven onto a pregnant couple that he was friends with. his reason being that it was micky mantles jersey number. also have we all forgotten the show "blossom" and her best friend six? when i was a kid everyone loved that name. neo- soul singer, erykah badu has a son that she named seven. so sometimes some the craziest idea are beautiful to others.
8-03-2009 @ 10:27PM
Tonie said...I named my daughter Cady. Even after the movie mean girls came out it's still not common. She likes but but the only bad part is people tend to say caddy instead of the proper kd.
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 10:47AM
Barry said...This is a topic that make me think about what parents are trying to do to their kids! I see names that are normal but spelled differently. Names that are so unique, spelling is out of the question. Some names because they liked the movie or because of a special cause they believe in.
These parents forget how annoyed their child will be for the rest of their life, correcting people on the pronunciation and spelling. Your child will be unique without giving a crazy name or spelling!
Reply
8-25-2009 @ 5:32PM
Storm said...Lol. I was named Storm. My father was a pilot and because of my behavior in the whomb he said that 'Storm' seemed perfect. Growing up, yes, I copped some flack for it. Still do, sometimes. The annoying nick-names! Hurricain, Thunder, Lightning, Rain, Summer etc. Its a long list. Only difference is now I love my name. And, I am now more capable of defending myself when some a-hole decides to be 'clever' and call me one of these nick names. But, I now love my name and would never want to change it.
Reply
9-28-2009 @ 11:29PM
Lisa Lafayette said...My son has a very unique name. His name is Fargo.
Most people say that his name is really interesting and like it. I do get asked often why I choose that name and long story short : It reminds my husband and I of the place we got married, where i went to college and where he was conceived (the mid-west).
Reply