Common names?

Question

I'm not sure I buy all the hype on giving kids a (generationally) common name. I can see the point in not getting too "weird" or "creative" with either spelling or the actual name. I hated it in school when there was someone else with MY name (Gina) in the same room. At 37, I still kind-of snarl to myself when someone calls MY name to someone else. Why would someone name their kid what everyone else is naming theirs?

Answer 1

The trend of naming babies "uniquely" started with the rich elite and celebrities. I am sure they feel they indulge themselves in all other aspects of their lives, why not with their child's name as well? Just in the past five years or so the "common folk" has been brave enough to venture into this indulgence as well. I find it irritating. It is like going to get a hummer cause you wanna show off, not cause you spend a lot of time off-roading or driving up steep rocky hills. I say stick to the basics, and names do go in cycles so just because every other girl was named Nicole or Heather when I was growing up does not mean that the same generation will name their children those "popular" names. My daughter's name is Helena, and it is not common, but it is an "old" name and many people have said to me "Helena, that is my grandmother's name!". So you do not have to make up a name to be a little different. Also it is VERY annoying when people name their kids after cities or last names or take a boy's name and make it a girl's name and vice versa. I hate those trends.

Answer 2

I'd go for the enduring classics any day, but it must be noted that even enduring classics come in and out of vogue. For example, Catherine was the far more common spelling until the 1970s, when Katherine took the lead. The only four boys' names to never drop out of the Top 20 are William, James, Joseph and John. I suspect you'd have to look at the Top 50 to find four choices as constant for girls - even Elizabeth has been as high as 26 (in 1945) and Mary is at an all-time low right now (84 in 2006). At least James or Mary, Elizabeth or William doesn't allow someone to guess your child's age before they meet them. But I know that a Jayden won't be much older than seven, and a Jessica is probably in her 20s.

Answer 3

There really is many uncommon names. I named my son Austin and at the time I had never even met someone by that name now everywhere I go I hear some other parent yelling it. My name is Robin and I still went to school with quite a few people with that name as well. Have to remember how mant billions of people in the world your going to share you name with someone

Answer 4

I do not think It has to do with lack of creativity at all. I named son John after the Muscisian John frusciante, His middle name is from a famous Writer, and his second middle name if for my grandfather,

Now, I live in California, the land of weird names, and it is more common here then common names it self. I Now see more Apples, Nohas, and Sunny's then I see John's, and what not. I belive a name you create to fit your child is creative to yourself. naming a child "Dandlion" is not going to make them more creativ. Give them a name that is going to mean something to you, that you put your time in to. Naming a child a weird name is a fad, not a normal name.

Answer 5

I'm not sure people are demanding common names, but names within reason. Really it's not fun to have the weirdest name ever. Parent don't get a prize for that. I had a friend named "Angharad," a beautiful, authentic Welsh name. Not so fun upon EVERY introduction. Give society a break and choose something pronounceable, spellable, and special to you and your family.

Answer 6

Maybe they do it because they like the name, the name is special (parents, grandparents names), or they don't think of how many other people have the name. Besides, naming a child a completely different name is a little traumatic in itself. I'm guessing some people that have different names sometimes wouldn't mind being a Michael, John, or Emily

Answer 7

There are just some common names that I really really like, such as Olivia, Ava, Grace. I dont care if others have them or not. What counts is if I like it or not. My boys are Sean, Samuel and Aiden...and Aiden was definitley given that name before it was popular. I had never even heard it before. Now its very popular. Samuel I liked because its a bible name and I like how it sounds and Ive just always liked Sean. I had no idea when he was born what was popular or not. I just chose it. Its also my brothers middle name.

Answer 8

Names are what defines you at the start of your life but if people really want their name to stand out they should be proactive and make themselves rich and famous. Even a bad name as "Twinkly Dongs" will stand out if that person stands out as an individual.

Answer 9

Sometimes you dont realize that the name you have picked out is also being picked out by lots of other people at the same time. Pick something special to you and of course something that cant easily be made fun of!

Answer 10

I think people name their kids common names either because they like it, lack of creativcity or their experiance as a child. My moms name is danish and people ALWAYS say it wrong so she wanted to name all her kids simple names so people wouldnt get it wrong, because she didnt like her experience with her name growing up.