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Help! My Favorite Baby Name is Getting Popular!
My husband and I have been holding onto the name Archer for a few years now, so no discussion was needed when we found out we were having a boy -- we could use our favorite name. However, on the NameVoyager and elsewhere, it seems like Archer is surging in popularity. We want to avoid bestowing a trendy name, so now we are rethinking our #2 choice, Adlai. We love the name and it will never be trendy, but, everyone we've mentioned it to thinks it's a girl name! What do you think?
- A's Mom
I can imagine your feelings watching your favorite name rise up the popularity charts. Archer's uniqueness was part of what drew you to it. Now you feel a loss, as if your special name has been robbed of its specialness. That's a natural emotional reaction, but don't let it become an over-reaction. If you confuse a run up the charts with true popularity, you might just talk yourself out of the perfect name.
Let me see if I can help bring you and Archer back together. Take another look at that scary graph that shows the number of baby Archers suddenly shooting skyward. Tear your eyes away from the upward spike and look at the number on the right-hand side. That's the number of Archers you'll find out of a million babies born in America.
Now try typing the name Jacob instead. Or try John or Michael and look at the peaks of those graphs. What looks like a mountainous popularity surge on the Archer graph is just a tiny bump in the great naming landscape. The percentage of babies named Archer is still minuscule: 0.0086 percent. It's less common than Prince, Ireland, Zechariah and Sincere.
Yes, Archer will rise some, but it should never be truly "trendy." It's also handsome, easy to spell and pronounce, and miraculously sounds both antique and modern. Everybody you talk to likes it better than Adlai -- even, you might recall, you. Do you really want to give up your perfect name just because one in 6,000 babies shares it?
Is popularity a factor in your name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 4)
10-14-2010 @ 4:44PM
Valerie said...Excellent advice. I had similar anxiety when I saw the name "Lila" climbing the charts. Your analysis is very reassuring.
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 10:24AM
Gloria said...I guess I dont understand why its important what other people think about what we name our children. If you like it use the name, doesnt matter how popular a name is or isnt.
10-15-2010 @ 9:16AM
Beth said...Quick question for anyone reading. Do you think the names "Josie" and "Jonah" are too close in sound? My sister's son is named Jonah, but she is especially competitive and somewhat territorial. I'm worried that if we name our daughter Josephine with the intention of calling her Josie, my sister will feel like we're "stealing." Opinions?
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 6:56AM
Sunday said...Hi Beth ~ Fear not, because in my opinion, the names "Josie" and "Jonah" have only one thing in common - the letter "J". They are 2 completely different sounding names. Also, one is a boy's name, the other, a girl's name. I think you're pretty safe with Josephine / Josie! You could also bring this up to your sister and tell her exactly what you said here (just leave out the highly competitive remark! lol) I would bet she'll be just fine about about it. Besides, it's YOUR child and you have your own life to live and have the right to name him or her whatever you want. I think it would also be kinda cute to have first cousins share the same first letter of their names too! Good luck!
10-17-2010 @ 7:58AM
Ray said...Don't worry about what your sister will think, think about your child.
10-17-2010 @ 8:50AM
lily said...you get one oppertunity to name your baby...think about yourself your husband and your baby before you think aboiut your sister and her "issues". Josephine is a great name!!
10-17-2010 @ 9:22AM
Teresa C. said...I don't think your sister will think you are "stealing" the name from her (unless she has already voiced a desire to use the same name for a future daughter). But I do think it would sound a little funny to have cousins with the names Jonah and Josie ... sorry, just my opinion.
10-17-2010 @ 9:24AM
Val said...Name your child what you want. I know a family where there is a boy named Samuel and he has a cousin named Samantha - both have the same last name as their fathers are brothers. Jonah and Josephine are miles apart in similarity anyway. Best wishes.
10-17-2010 @ 1:15PM
Pat said...I think that Josephine and Jonah are far enough apart that it would be fine to name your baby Josephine, I wouldn't worry about it.
10-17-2010 @ 1:24PM
Cynthia said...They don't sound that close, but you shouldn't worry about your sister becasue it should be about what you want not what she wants. Its not you want to name her Joan or anything.
10-17-2010 @ 2:44PM
Gaea said...Why would you name your child Josephine if you want to call her Josie? Name her what you want her to be called! Geeze!
10-17-2010 @ 8:04AM
Jon said...Trash the charts and numbers. Give your child the name you had planned. He may share the name with others, but are you going to share your child in the same manner? Nope. He would be your Archer! That's what matters. I'm more interested in my two boys' growing into mature, self-sufficient, successful adults, than focusing on their names that are shared with a "gazillion" others!
Go for it!
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 8:04AM
Carol said...As a licensed school teacher, clinical social worker, and family therapist for many years, I have found that children prefer names that are NOT trendy or unusual. They want to "fit in" with the other kids. They also do not like names that could refer to either a boy or a girl. I have never found a boy with a name like David, Michael, Andrew or a girl with a name like Judy, Barbara, or Nancy that were teased because of their name. Trendy names are often the target of teasing by other kids. I prefer to protect children from unnecessary teasing and ridicule...especially when it involves choice of a name.
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 9:42AM
BigDaddy said...Barbara -- BOOBRA
Judy -- Tootie
Andrew 'Andy" -- Angie
Kids will be cruel no matter what. Go with Archer! My daughter Piper loves her name b/c nobody has it!
10-17-2010 @ 11:30AM
Sheila said...No one has your kid's name "Piper" except for Sarah Palin's daughter and Piper Laurie. Piper is not that unusual.
10-17-2010 @ 8:27AM
jeff said...With a name like Archer, I promise you do not have to worrie about it being to popular.
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 8:36AM
bobby said...Or him.
10-19-2010 @ 8:51PM
Victoria said...Poor kid, either way he loses. He ends up with either a weird name or an even weirder name. Don't be surprised when he becomes the victim of bullying because of his name! I wouldn't even date a guy with either of those AWFUL names! LOL
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 8:35AM
John said...There's nothing worst than a boy with a 'special name."
Let his talents and merits standout instead of his unique name.
Reply
10-17-2010 @ 8:35AM
Bobby said...Archie! Archie! Don't call me Archie! My name is Archer! Waaaaaaaaa! Mommy!............
Reply