If you used an uncommon name...

[winter]

If you chose a name that is uncommon what are peoples general reactions to hearing it for the first time? Does it make you wonder if it would have been easier to use something more known or common?

I ask, simply because I'm pretty sure we will wind up using something relatively uncommon, and I wonder how people will react. Our dog is Lux, and I get a lot of, "That's a weird name, where'd you come up with that?", or, "How do you spell that?", and she's a dog. Just makes me wonder.

[Mandarin]

They either like it or they don't. But I do not let it bother me because they are my children and I love all their names. :)

[JoannaMF]

Dempsey's name pretty much always has to be repeated. I don't mind at all, as I realize you need to say it a few times to get used to it. I usually follow with, "her nn is Demi" or "It's Irish and means proud", if they are having a hard time prn. it I do tell them, "like Patrick Dempsey". I don't like having to do that, but sometimes it helps. I don't want ppl to think she was named after him. I've gotten some, "Is that a family name?" questions which I know is bc it's such a different name they figure it must be a family name. Most ppl really like it after getting used to it though.

[cinerdy]

I don't know if you think of Kaia as uncommon or not but I do get questions about it. If they know DH they ask if it's Indian but I have mostly only heard good things so I don't mind the questions. I know I have asked about kids' names, too, especially for names I like, so it's fine.

[kacykc]

Her name isn't uncommon or all that unique, but people still would :eyebrow: when I told them her name. I guess people just didn't think I'd chose a name like Faith since I wasn't all that religious, and I was so young. I actually had someone say to me once "Oh, Faith? I thought you'd pick something made up since you had her so young!" :rolleyes: I guess they thought since I was a teenager I'd name my baby MaKynlianah or something. And of course... "Faith? You are not religious, why would you use that?" :doh:

Seriously though, I got a lot of negativity on her name. You'd think, since it's just a nice and simpple name, most people would love it. Nope. My mom hated her name for like a year... and my mom is way more religious than me. In the end I just said "We chose to name her Faith, because we loved the name, and Faith is the perfect name for her" -- and all of our family and friends absolutely love the name now, and we couldn't picture her with any other name.

And for future kids, their names will probably be even more unique than Faith. For example, I love the name Frances for a girl... I'm sure I'll get a LOT of slack for that one, but I don't care. Having issues with Faith's name will not stop me from chosing a less common name for her siblings.

I have a somewhat common name, but with a weird spelling... and I always have to correct people, but honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I'd rather be named Kacy and have to spell it out a million times in my life, than be 1 of the millions of Jessica's out there, kwim?

[JustBeKus]

Dempsey's name pretty much always has to be repeated. I don't mind at all, as I realize you need to say it a few times to get used to it. I usually follow with, "her nn is Demi" or "It's Irish and means proud", if they are having a hard time prn. it I do tell them, "like Patrick Dempsey". I don't like having to do that, but sometimes it helps. I don't want ppl to think she was named after him. I've gotten some, "Is that a family name?" questions which I know is bc it's such a different name they figure it must be a family name. Most ppl really like it after getting used to it though.

this is interesting, Joanna. Dempsey would never make me bat an eye, and I certainly don't think it's difficult to pronounce.

[tiffer23]

People always thought Milo was kind of funny. Now that they are used to it, they think it's really cool/cute. And when we use it out and about we get a mix of reactions, nothing mean, but you can tell some people think it's goofy (maybe they think Milo & Otis?). Most people think it's neat though.

[_Melanie_]

Milo is very neat. I've always loved Benjamin Milo.

Audrey's name isn't weird, but what we were planning on naming her was. Everytime we told ANYONE what our girl's name was we got "the look". FWIW, it was Dahlia Aleksandria Jane. Aleksandria (the spelling, also) is Jesse's mother's middle name and Jane is my mother's. My mother BEGGED me not to name Audrey, Dahlia. In the end, I just didn't think she looked like a Dahlia and I was right. She is such an Audrey.

When I say Audrey, I usually get, "Oh, Aubrey?". Uh, no. Au-DREY. It's so frustrating, especially since I extremely dislike Aubrey with a passion.

[cinomon]

I think Solomon is kind of unique. I get some 'that's a big name for a little guy' comments. But mostly, I get 'That's a really nice name.' People constantly mispell it as Soloman. And my friend's husband has taken to calling him solo man. So I'm not sure if he just doesn't have a clue as to how to spell it or if he just thinks he's being funny. lol

[winter]

When I say Audrey, I usually get, "Oh, Aubrey?". Uh, no. Au-DREY. It's so frustrating, especially since I extremely dislike Aubrey with a passion.

That's interesting, I would expect it to be the other way around. Like Aubrey's would constantly get Audrey. I wouldn't expect Audrey to get Aubrey, ever. Funny how it works.

[Peach]

It's a hassle to re-pronounce and spell out and explain, but ultimately it's no big deal.

Sometimes I think oh, it would be so much easier if we'd used a name that is more 'accepted unusual'-- but not seriously.

[TaterDoug]

Douglas isnt unique, but people act like it is, I guess cuz Its not that common on little ones anymore....and with all the trendy names there is, it might be weird for some to hear that he is not a Hayden, Caden, Brayden, Jayden or Aiden, we know several of each..... We always get "oh thats a big boy name" especially when they hear his full name, his MN and our LN are both uncommon. And of course people automatically say "hi Doug" and we have to correct them because we call him Douglas and Dougie sometimes, never Doug!

I really dont care what others think of the names I pick because they are my children and if we have to explain why we picked them then thats fine. Once they hear why we picked Douglas, and why we have picked the other names for our next baby they understand then all of a sudden like the names!

[ChnsawKitty]

No one irl around here knows how to pronounce/spell Brynn or Carys the first time they see/hear it. It's a little bit of a hassle, I must admit. And then we get lots of "Oh, I've never heard that/my, that's an interesting name", etc. I've even had a couple people flat out tell me that they will dislike their names because because of all these things. :scratch: But, I chose names that I love, that fit them perfectly, imo. What the general public might think of them would never make me alter my choices.

[SugarySarah]

We've had really good reactions from people so far - people usually say how pretty her whole name is. A few people have asked if we pronounce the ending as -tine or -teen (it's -tine), and they mention Clementine Churchill.

I really wouldn't change her name and I'm glad we went on the more unusual side.

[Malibu02]

I always wonder the same thing, Jenna. My dog's name is Silas and boy have we got a lot of negativity about it! We always have to spell and explain where we got it. It has really shown us that if people have this type of reaction over a dog's name, then I'm sure it will be even worse about a child's!

[casebobase]

Yeah I usually have to repeat Teague's name and am asked tp spell it out for people (I usually just say it's League with a T). I also think I've been asked 4,000 times how we came up with it. Yeah it's a hassle but I don't mind because I love the uniqueness of his name.

[princesskmw]

We get a lot of comments on Fiona. I don't think it's that uncommon but apparently I'm wrong. I don't mind it, though. :shrug:

[ellom]

Not with the pronunciation, but we got the questions about "how'd you come up with that?" ALL the time about Tuesday's name!

With our daughter's name, we have to repeat it pretty often or spell it. But I don't mind at all. Also, because it's so unique, many will ask if there's any special meaning or mention that they've never heard of it before and ask about it. I love that because her name does have SO much meaning for us - it's nice being able to tell others about it. Also, we get many comments like "Wow! What a pretty name!" or "Wow! That is so cool!". I don't think a common name would have the same wow factor, kwim?

[Jemima]

Surprisingly (to me), we get more questions and comments about Sophie's middle name (Jemima) than we do for Felix's name. People in the U.S. just fixate on the Aunt Jemima connotation, and pretty much always think we're kidding when we say that it's her middle name.
I still never regret it, because it was my much-beloved Grammy's name, and it means a great deal to my entire family that she's honored in that way.

We live in Oklahoma, which isn't exactly a cultural hotbed, so we get raised eyebrows at Felix's name occasionally, but usually once people get to know him, they realize that he's a total Felix. We've NEVER regretted his name ('cause we pretty much think it's the coolest boys' name ever).

If we have more kids, they're for sure going to have uncommon names, because that's just our preference.

[IvyWild]

All of our children get the :eyebrow: except for Elise. That one is a bit more mainstream here, although we've still only met 1 other one in 6 years. Maryn, Jude and Graham have to be repeated normally, especially Maryn. We get Mary, Marilyn, Marrin and Marina a lot. Once they hear it correctly, we get "Oh, how pretty. I've never heard that before." Her principal is in love with her name. ;) Jude get's "Hey Jude" song to him A LOT, but that's okay because I love the song. Graham gets "That's a big boy/adult name!" Well duh, he'll only be a baby for a couple of years and then he'll be a big boy or adult for the rest of his life. :rolleyes:

The only name I'd change is Elise's. I wish I'd really pressed for Ivy because then I think my sibset would be perfect. I'd also tell Greg he couldn't change the spellng of Maren. I'm so glad we went with names that are off the beaten path, though. ;)

[missmoo4]

No kids yet but when IU told Mum that my first choice for a girl was Chiara she said that it would be hard for the kid to learn to spell :shrug: In my mind the kid can't spell anything much at the age they are learning to spell their name, so learning that your names is splet c-h-i-a-r-a is no harder than, say, s-a-r-a-h. And at any rate, are m-e-l-i-s-s-a and c-h-r-i-s-t-o-p-h-e-r (me and my brother) easy to spell? Uh, not really, for a 5 year old.

[mango]

Theo is pretty uncommon, especially around here, but it's been very well received. Usually we hear "oh, what a GREAT name. You don't hear that anymore!"

Then I usually tell people he is named after my stepdad, which most people think is pretty special.

As he goes exclusively by Theo, I am always stumped as to what to say when someone asks his name. Theodore, Theo? I usually say, "Theo. Well, his name is Theodore, but we call him Theo."

[KNY]

Oh Melissa, I just love Chiara! I so rarely see it mentioned around here. I especially love it with the real Italian spelling and pronunciation.

Graham gets "That's a big boy/adult name!" Well duh, he'll only be a baby for a couple of years and then he'll be a big boy or adult for the rest of his life.

This is completely my thought too. I want to choose a name that will last through childhood and adulthood. Because people are babies/children for a short time and adults for a long time, God willing.

My thought is, I 100% plan to choose an uncommon name. The more uncommon, the better, actually. But I want to choose a name where the spelling is intuitive even if the name itself is unfamiliar.

[merejohn]

I don't think any of my girls' names are "that" uncommon but we get comments all the time on their names... even Elise. :shrug: For the most part the comments are complementary but we do get the occasional negative feedback. All of their names get mispronounced often. Elise is Elsie... Maren is Maureen... Adele is Adeel. Maren gets a bunch of other random pronunciations, too. Sometimes I don't even correct them... if they're strangers and we're most likely not going to encounter them again I just smile and say "come along Elsie, Maureen and Adeel." :)

[alouette]

.All of their names get mispronounced often. Elise is Elsie... Maren is Maureen... Adele is Adeel.


I have a friend Ellise who gets Elsie ALL the time!


I fully plan on giving my kid a unique name and I'd like to think I'm prepared for negative feedback.


I can't believe how rude people can be sometimes. If anyone says "Oh I don't like that name." To me I'll just be like "Then I guess it's a good thing it's not your name!"

[Autumn]

I knew people would be surprised by Adeline's name, because it's an old-timey name, but I've been shocked at how many people seem to have never heard it. Don't people at least know *of* the song Sweet Adeline? Heck they used it on Elmo's World! :haha: People either seem to think it's fabulous or think I'm insane. Oh, people pronounce it add-uh-lynn a lot too, including older people, which surprises me since, in my head, line = line (plus, back to the song...).

People ask me to repeat or spell Blake ALL. THE. TIME. Though in all fairness, Blake isn't really used around here.

Having grown up with an uncommon name, I think they're great! Yes, as a kid, I always wanted to be a Jennifer or Sarah, and it's a pain to have to correct people all the time (I can't tell you how many times I've uttered the phrase, "no 'n's", when telling people my name), but it's so nice to not have to tack my last name or initial on to everything. If someone mentions Adria, everyone knows who they're talking about. ;) I get a lot of compliments on my name as well, which I don't suppose would happen often if I had a common name.

I'm hoping that Adeline appreciates having the best of both worlds available to her. She can use her full name, which isn't common, or go by the UBER popular nn, Addie, if she feels like it.

[Lindsey]

I don't think anyone has ever told me to my face that they didn't care for my kids names. Sometimes, I get asked to repeat it, but that would be the extent. And, some people say, your kids have unique names where did you find them, but it's more sheer curiosity than it is an opinion on the names.

I've never questioned my choice in their names b/c of others reactions.

And, I find that people feel free to let disparaging remarks fly about name choices before a child is born, but they are much less likely to say them when they are attached to a little baby. That's why we didn't share.

[Rusalka]

Well my name is kind of weird; but honestly I've only ever had very positive, or at worst neutral, feedback on it (in the abstract Sage tends to get 'nms' ... well good, then they won't use it). Though it wouldn't bother me anyway, because it's the best name and I've fought for it. No sense backing down now.
Funnily enough nobody has ever spelt or pronounced it wrong either. ;)

So I try to follow through with that for my list; names that are uncomplicated and memorable. I'd like for them to be able to make a good first impression with their name. Seems easier without the baggage of people already knowing a dozen of X already.

On the flip side my brother's name is Richard, which people get weirder over. That it's so 'old', so well used, the stupid nicknames, etc. But then the name-geek in me reads 'old' as retro/trendsetting.
So I don't put a lot of stock in the theory that common names are 'safer'.

[Anna]

No kids yet but when IU told Mum that my first choice for a girl was Chiara she said that it would be hard for the kid to learn to spell :shrug: In my mind the kid can't spell anything much at the age they are learning to spell their name, so learning that your names is splet c-h-i-a-r-a is no harder than, say, s-a-r-a-h. And at any rate, are m-e-l-i-s-s-a and c-h-r-i-s-t-o-p-h-e-r (me and my brother) easy to spell? Uh, not really, for a 5 year old.

I came across this discussion too when Xanthe was born...Things like:
You should spell it "Zanthe" to make it easier for everyone...yeah, easier for everyone else to spell but Xanthe with a Z looks ugly, people will learn...And my biggest pet peeve with regards to naming is phonetic spellings, for example Siobahn becoming Shevaun (yuk!) PEOPLE WILL LEARN...don't dumb down names!!!
She'll find it hard and confusing to spell her name, X makes a Z sound, etc...it was the first word/name she DID learn to spell so we made sure she got it right and understood all the rules, geez!! ;)

Xanthe had spelling issues from others with but Elvis we always get the obvious...Are you Elvis Presley fans? No, we just like the name...Arthur we got, is it a family name? Some old Uncle Arthur in family...Um, no!! And for Frida, more spelling issues because everyone seems to have a Great Aunt Freda/Frieda/Freida or even Friedl...but no-one has heard of Frida, like Frida Kahlo or Frida Lyngstad (ABBA) more blank looks...But that's OK most people only need to be told once and they have it down...But I wouldn't have it any other way....I don't mind the enquiries because it is sometimes a conversation starter in awkward moments, makes people think of the wider world beyond Emily and Joshua ;) and if people have never heard of it or say "Oh, interesting, how unusual" I know we have made the right choice...because I would hate it to be the other way, when someone says, "You know, you are the 5th James I have met today!"...ARGHHH

[Wishn4aMiracle]

I dont have kids yet, but some names I like arent other peoples FAVS, but I dont care, its gonna be my child and I feel its my right to name it. LOL if you and ur DH like it, then all that matter!!!

[lissakay]

I would definitely choose to use an unusual name.

But I wouldn't be too concerned about people's reactions around here (DC area). Large international community, so I learn a name I have never heard before at least once a week, often more frquently (and I would say I am familiar with several times the number of names than the average person, I'm sure the same is true for most of us on here). Plus unique/unusual names are fairly popular around here. In the past couple weeks, I have met children named...
Keegan(g) Mackenzie(b) Tracy(b) Cody(g) Merete Malaina Lior Meytal Kana Liel Temitope Chisom Adeola Gray Edison Patton Rafe Talah Campbell August Aster Mireille

Plus I met three (!) children named Wolf in just the past week or two, in addition to the three I already know.

So I'm not too concerned about raised eyebrows if I do choose an uncommon name.

[missmoo4]

Oh Melissa, I just love Chiara! I so rarely see it mentioned around here. I especially love it with the real Italian spelling and pronunciation.


Thanks Kalee, glad someone does! It didn't get a good review when I posted it here. I definitely love it with this Italian spelling and will probably roll the r when I use it at home, but not when we are around others who will go 'what?'

[lindseymarie]

I worry about this a little with Fletcher. I so love it, but I'm afraid to tell my mom. :haha: Mike likes it, but has never known a Fletcher so he thinks that's weird. And it generally has not gotten good reactions from the mom group. It seems people either really like it or really dislike it. :shrug: Can't please 'em all (nor should I try).

[josiegirl]

Lindsey, I like Fletcher! I might like Thatcher a little better with Cameron, but I say if you like a name, go for it!

[SpaceyKacey]

With Maddox's name we always get how cool it is. Everyone loves it and surprisingly enough noone has EVER mentioned Angelina Jolie or nothing. That has honestly shocked me but it's nice! The only person that has issues spelling his name is my dad but he cant spell to save his life!

We have told people our choices for this baby and both names (Adelaide and Kingston) have been well received. The middle name we have picked out for Kingston (Caspian) gets a lot of :eyebrow: but I really dont care. I love it and that's all that matters.

Growing up, my name ALWAYS got mispronounced or misspelled. I will never understand how people got Cassie out of Casey. I understand getting misspelled but it's still annoying. I spell it out all the time but I like being the only Casey and not one of many Ashley's, Amanda's, and Megan's of my time!

[calamityroad]

I don't have any kids for my names yet (lol) but all of my friends & family know my love of names and what I want to name my kids. They think they're either bad or I'm crazy lol. But to me, the more uncommon the better. And it's nice when every once in awhile I'll get an "Ivy? Oh, I love Ivy!" or "River? Wow, I never hear that, that's cool." I think uncommon is a GOOD thing. It makes the name and the person with the name stand out. JMO. ;)