My sister-in-law carefully chose names for her 3 children from the top ten names given to babies in the previous year. I don't really understand that and have always wanted to ask why. Did anyone else here do that and want to answer the question?
Top ten names
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Joined
·
25,599 Posts
I'm curious to see the responses. I was quite upset when I realized that dd was given one of the top names from her year, but dh had his heart set on it, and I was too happy to finally (after 10 years) have another baby to want to argue about it.<br><br>
My name was the first or second most popular name in my birth year. I had at least two other Lisas in <i>every</i> class I ever attended and I hated it. I didn't want to do that to my own kids.
My name was the first or second most popular name in my birth year. I had at least two other Lisas in <i>every</i> class I ever attended and I hated it. I didn't want to do that to my own kids.
Joined
·
3,843 Posts
<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> Wow - that's a new one to me. I always thought people picked their children's names based on what they liked, no matter the popularity, or a name that had special meaning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"><br><br>
Hopefully someone can shed some light.
Hopefully someone can shed some light.
Joined
·
4,378 Posts
I had no idea that my children's names would become so popular! Not that there will be a next time, but if there were, I'd start from the end of the list.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">
Joined
·
12,661 Posts
Does she have a wildly unusual name or spelling? Maybe she grew up being teased for her name or the way teachers mis-pronounced it and doesn't want her kids to go through the same thing?
Joined
·
2,201 Posts
Maybe she thought having a popular name woudl make her child popular?? I know that seems sillly...but come to think of it... lots of the "popular" people in my school were named Jennifer or Kelly or Chris or Steve. Maybe she thought a popular name would help her kids "blend in" more and not be made fun of because of their name. Maybe she got teased for her name, growing up.<br><br>
It's not something I would do, as I specifically chose names which aren't popular, but everyone has different ideas.
It's not something I would do, as I specifically chose names which aren't popular, but everyone has different ideas.
Joined
·
7,032 Posts
My DD's name is in the top 10. I am not sure what it is this year, but it was #1 or #2 the year she was born. That's not why I chose it, it was a name that I had loved for a really long time, and it was what I wanted. My name is really popular, there were always at least two other girls in my class with my name, and it never bothered me.<br><br>
I wouldn't go out of my way to pick a name just because it is popular, but most of my favorite names are on the top 100 (or the top 10, for that matter).<br><br>
DD's name fits her really well, and she often goes by her first name + her middle name, which makes it a bit different. Even if I had been against having a popular name for her, I would not change it now. It just seems to fit her so well.
I wouldn't go out of my way to pick a name just because it is popular, but most of my favorite names are on the top 100 (or the top 10, for that matter).<br><br>
DD's name fits her really well, and she often goes by her first name + her middle name, which makes it a bit different. Even if I had been against having a popular name for her, I would not change it now. It just seems to fit her so well.
Joined
·
3,272 Posts
I know a lady who picked her daughters' names in a similar fashion. Well, she started with names she liked and then if they were "popular" that was a big bonus in her opinion. Sort of like the name was "in style". Her own name was trendy for women of her age group and said growing up she enjoyed having a popular name. I don't see anything wrong with it, although my son's name is very unusual and we like it that way. To each her own. This woman's daughters' names, by the way, are Madison and Isabella. Very pretty and popular names indeed!
Joined
·
3,272 Posts
<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ameliabedelia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943476"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Maybe she thought having a popular name woudl make her child popular?? I know that seems sillly...but come to think of it... lots of the "popular" people in my school were named Jennifer or Kelly or Chris or Steve.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Ooh, interesting. Come to think of it, our school had a ton of jocks/partiers with the names Mike and Matt. People would even refer to them as "the Mikes".
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ameliabedelia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943476"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Maybe she thought having a popular name woudl make her child popular?? I know that seems sillly...but come to think of it... lots of the "popular" people in my school were named Jennifer or Kelly or Chris or Steve.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Ooh, interesting. Come to think of it, our school had a ton of jocks/partiers with the names Mike and Matt. People would even refer to them as "the Mikes".
<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>MiaPia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943140"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> Wow - that's a new one to me. I always thought people picked their children's names based on what they liked, no matter the popularity, or a name that had special meaning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"><br><br>
Hopefully someone can shed some light.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Her name is Ruth. Maybe there's something to the idea of the name being a bit glamorous or popular-sounding as her own name is somewhat normal but not popular.
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>MiaPia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943140"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> Wow - that's a new one to me. I always thought people picked their children's names based on what they liked, no matter the popularity, or a name that had special meaning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"><br><br>
Hopefully someone can shed some light.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Her name is Ruth. Maybe there's something to the idea of the name being a bit glamorous or popular-sounding as her own name is somewhat normal but not popular.
Joined
·
1,731 Posts
I didn't care where on the list they fell. If I liked them, I liked them. I fell in love with the name Jordan, and it was #44 on the list. Jaxon was #229 at it's highest point.<br><br>
I think when people just go off the top 10 list, they really are ruling out some really wonderful and beautiful names, but if that's what they want... it's no different than the people who choose names from the bottom 10.
I think when people just go off the top 10 list, they really are ruling out some really wonderful and beautiful names, but if that's what they want... it's no different than the people who choose names from the bottom 10.
Joined
·
3,706 Posts
<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>MiaPia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943140"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> Wow - that's a new one to me. I always thought people picked their children's names based on what they liked, no matter the popularity, or a name that had special meaning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"></div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
The popularity matters a LOT to me. My husband knew 7 other Andrews just among his group of friends in college. They had to have nicknames to tell each other apart. My kids are not going to suffer through that if I can help it!
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>MiaPia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7943140"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch"> Wow - that's a new one to me. I always thought people picked their children's names based on what they liked, no matter the popularity, or a name that had special meaning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug"></div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
The popularity matters a LOT to me. My husband knew 7 other Andrews just among his group of friends in college. They had to have nicknames to tell each other apart. My kids are not going to suffer through that if I can help it!
<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>JeDeeLenae</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7944232"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I didn't care where on the list they fell. If I liked them, I liked them. I fell in love with the name Jordan, and it was #44 on the list. Jaxon was #229 at it's highest point.<br><br>
I think when people just go off the top 10 list, they really are ruling out some really wonderful and beautiful names, but if that's what they want... it's no different than the people who choose names from the bottom 10.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
I disagree. There are only 10 names in the top ten, so if she really is choosing <i>from</i> them and not just picking one of her favorites that <i>happens</i> to be <i>among</i> them, then that's a little different than thinking up an unusual name that you love, b/c there are literally thousands of names to pick from (or you could make it up...) I think it takes more thought to come up with something unusual than to browse a few names.<br><br>
However, I can't really fault her. It was important to me to pick a fairly unique name. Doesn't mean I don't love that name. I can see how, for some people, it's important to have a name that will be readily accepted and likely loved by lots of people. Either way, people pick names they like. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with being swayed by how common or uncommon it is.
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>JeDeeLenae</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7944232"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I didn't care where on the list they fell. If I liked them, I liked them. I fell in love with the name Jordan, and it was #44 on the list. Jaxon was #229 at it's highest point.<br><br>
I think when people just go off the top 10 list, they really are ruling out some really wonderful and beautiful names, but if that's what they want... it's no different than the people who choose names from the bottom 10.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
I disagree. There are only 10 names in the top ten, so if she really is choosing <i>from</i> them and not just picking one of her favorites that <i>happens</i> to be <i>among</i> them, then that's a little different than thinking up an unusual name that you love, b/c there are literally thousands of names to pick from (or you could make it up...) I think it takes more thought to come up with something unusual than to browse a few names.<br><br>
However, I can't really fault her. It was important to me to pick a fairly unique name. Doesn't mean I don't love that name. I can see how, for some people, it's important to have a name that will be readily accepted and likely loved by lots of people. Either way, people pick names they like. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with being swayed by how common or uncommon it is.
I'm guessing your SIL did not grow up as a Jennifer or a Sarah? I imagine that me as a Jennifer ( married to Mike <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> ) will name all the kids unusual names and they in turn will give their kids names off the top ten.
Joined
·
1,731 Posts
<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Hazelnut</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7944797"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I disagree. There are only 10 names in the top ten, so if she really is choosing <i>from</i> them and not just picking one of her favorites that <i>happens</i> to be <i>among</i> them, then that's a little different than thinking up an unusual name that you love, b/c there are literally thousands of names to pick from (or you could make it up...)<br><br>
However, I can't really fault her. It was important to me to pick a fairly unique name. Doesn't mean I don't love that name. I can see how, for some people, it's important to have a name that will be readily accepted and likely loved by lots of people. Either way, people pick names they like. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with being swayed by how common or uncommon it is.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Sounded to me like (from what the OP said) she chose from the top 10 names, not just "oh, look, it's in the top 10, too." But, I still think that there are 1000s of beautiful names that don't fall on the top 10 list.
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Hazelnut</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7944797"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I disagree. There are only 10 names in the top ten, so if she really is choosing <i>from</i> them and not just picking one of her favorites that <i>happens</i> to be <i>among</i> them, then that's a little different than thinking up an unusual name that you love, b/c there are literally thousands of names to pick from (or you could make it up...)<br><br>
However, I can't really fault her. It was important to me to pick a fairly unique name. Doesn't mean I don't love that name. I can see how, for some people, it's important to have a name that will be readily accepted and likely loved by lots of people. Either way, people pick names they like. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with being swayed by how common or uncommon it is.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
Sounded to me like (from what the OP said) she chose from the top 10 names, not just "oh, look, it's in the top 10, too." But, I still think that there are 1000s of beautiful names that don't fall on the top 10 list.
both of my kids names are very popular. With Alexis, I just didn't realize how popular it was until after she was born, but with Emma I fully knew that it was either the #1 or #2 name given the previous year and still went ahead with naming her that. She's just an Emma! Choosing a name from the top 10 in kinda weird and limiting though <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/headscratch.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="headscratch">
I think picking a name because it's in the top 10 is no different than not using a name because it is in the top 10. If you like the name, then use it.<br><br>
Of course, I will admit that it bothers me that ds2's name is so popular, and I secretly cringe everytime I hear another kid with his name. It's just the only one that I could think of that seemed to fit him. I wish I had been able to be a bit more creative because I feel like ds1 got a more "special" name.
Of course, I will admit that it bothers me that ds2's name is so popular, and I secretly cringe everytime I hear another kid with his name. It's just the only one that I could think of that seemed to fit him. I wish I had been able to be a bit more creative because I feel like ds1 got a more "special" name.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!