Popular or Unique for a baby name?

[IDoDis]

I probably have the most common name ever -- at least it was the #1 name on the list of most popular names for over 100 years. It has since fallen off. My brother's name was the 2nd most popular boys name for years and years and our last name (maiden) was almost as popular as the name Smith. So my name is/was b-o-r-i-n-g! My kids both have somewhat common names (both were in the top 20), but I don't cringe when I hear someone with the same name as them. I like it.

While I wish my name was not so common, at the same time I would not want some strange "unique" name either. So many kids are given unique names these days that having a unique name is no longer unique -- KWIM? At this rate the name Ann will be ever so popular again one day because everyone will be tired of people who have names that aren't really names. Give it 20 years, but that's probably what is going to happen.

 

[ZeitgeistDuck]

OP, my kids names are pretty popular- Abigail Savannah (Abby) and Jacob Murdoch (Jake)- so take this for what its worth, but I think your name choices are pretty awful. I appreciate the taste for unique names - if I ever have another daughter she'll be Austen Elisabeth- but I think when you take on unique sound + unique spelling you're thinking more of your self than of your child's future. Imagine your child as an adult introducing herself to a client at a business meeting, giving her email address out over the phone to someone and having to spell and re-spell it four times because its so overly unique.

I think Serena is a lovely name. Its unique and not widely used without being just strange.

I think you can do much better. I think you can find a name that is uncommon without being weird. Just please keep in mind what living with SUCH a unique name would entail for your child.

That said- best of good wishes to you on the adoption of your daughter!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I agree with the PP. If you want a less common name, give it a conventional spelling. The majority of your childs life will not be in a classroom...it will be in the working world. Be sure it's something that conveys competence. Like it or not, people will make a preconceived notion about them before meeting them.

What about old family names? We gave our DD the middle name Morgan...after DH's grandfather, Morgan. Our DS has the middle name Brady, it was DH's grandmother's maiden name. We love honoring beloved family members in this way.

My DH himself has an uncommon name...spelled differently. He hates it, hates it, hates it. What's "cute" now to stand out is a pain in the behind in the business world, to constantly have to spell your name.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I predict at some point the uncommon names will become so common that they will not be as unique as people wished. The unique names will be just one of many. People will just get zanier with the names and it will become ridiculous. (IMO we're already there.)

I didn't feel the need to make a statement with my children's names. I gave them strong names that are traditional but not popular.

 

[Inigo]

I predict at some point the uncommon names will become so common that they will not be as unique as people wished. The unique names will be just one of many. People will just get zanier with the names and it will become ridiculous. (IMO we're already there.)

We'll see things like, "My children's names are spelled HUHYGTFYUYE&*^ and JHYTTRDFR^%&%^, but are pronounced Alex and Emily. How dare you mispronounce them!"

 

[TheZue]

We'll see things like, "My children's names are spelled HUHYGTFYUYE&*^ and JHYTTRDFR^%&%^, but are pronounced Alex and Emily. How dare you mispronounce them!"

The & is silent

 

[Acklander]

I like traditional names, so went thru both DH's and my family tree for ideas. If you go back several generations you might find some great names that aren't over used at this time.

 

[Inigo]

The & is silent

Thank you for noticing!

 

[krcit]

I have a common name and while I don't hate it, it's boring, lol. I also am meeting more and more women with my name lately. It's so funny, I will be at a party and out of 9 or 10 women, 4 of them will have my name. And we are all roughly the same age of course!

My kids are Kailyn(she is 15 so I named her before the big Kaitlyn, Kaylee, kayla craze of the late 90's) and Shannon. My ds has a very common name but it's a family name. If I had another girl I would name her either Delaney or Annaliese.

 

[portocall]

I think that you should just go with a name that you like and can stand to say for the rest of your life. My name isn't exactly unique, but you don't hear it often in age group currently. I hated it growing up. Now, I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. I prefer to go with a name that isn't mistaken for something else (like mine), spelled how it is sounded, and easy to say.

 

[disneyelaine]

Re your Surina Rose name. Not only does Suri bring thoughts of Tom Cruise, the Rose is like Nicole Kidman's baby, Sunday Rose. Way too much reminding me of Tom Cruise with that name!