Who used a top 10?

zhirsch

DH and I both like a name that in the top 10 right now (I think top 5 actually) and I wish it weren't the case but I hate not to use a name we love because of it. I just don't want my kid to be one of many. I think back to all the Jennifers at my school and I think at one point I had three or four in my class. I wouldn't be the end of the world, and while I wish we could be a little more unique it just isn't working out that way as far as what DH and I can agree on. Who used a popular name and has it caused any problems or annoyances? Do you regret not giving your child a more unique name?

jupiterthecat

I don't have any personal experience to share, but I don't think that rankings are in themselves that important. Instead, focus on the % of babies with each name. There are much fewer Isabellas today than there were Jennifers in our generation. That doesn't mean that if you go with a top 5 name that you won't encounter other kids with that name-- you probably will, and you'll have to accept that. But the common names of our generation are probably not a fair comparison. You didn't say the name or whether it's for a girl or a boy, but a lot of the names in the top 10 (esp. boy names) are classic names that, at least, are not trendy or obnoxious (with a couple exceptions; *cough* Jayden *cough*). I say ultimately you should go with the name that you love, unless part of your love for the name is derived by how "unique" it sounds to our generation.

sweetface83

I think you should look at what's popular in your state.  Sometimes the rankings are different as opposed to the main SSA list.

newenglandmomm

My name is Jessica and growing up it was the number 1 name for a while. I had no other Jessica's in my class. I work at a child care center and we have very little "repeated" names. Use a name that like.

MandyWes

newenglandmomm:

My name is Jessica and growing up it was the number 1 name for a while. I had no other Jessica's in my class. I work at a child care center and we have very little "repeated" names. Use a name that like.

This! I'm an Amanda (go by Mandy) and I had none in my classes. I know a few now (I'm 32) but who cares?

apronstrings

My first name, Christina, nn. Christy-was soooo common when I was in school. There were a couple of others. I liked having a common name-no one's going to make fun of a name that's common b/c inevitably they'll be friends with someone with the same name. I named my daughter Cate for this reason. Neither in top ten-but that wouldn't have changed things. 

 

FirstBabyMomma

I didn't, but that was because none of the top 10 names struck a chord with us. I say if you love the name, use it. Originality and differentiation are what middle and last names are for!

Carbaby411

I didn't use a top 10 but I am one.  I love my name and I really didn't mind being one of 2-4 Sarahs.  I do think there is a difference between classic and trendy though.  Example: IMO Addison =  trendy but Emma = classic.  I would avoid trendy.

bwralc

My DD is Olivia. I had no idea it was in the top 10 until we picked it and we were already set with her name. I still have not run into another Olivia and I've even had people tell me that they love her name and glad I didn't pick a overly popular name!! That totally suprises me, especially since I think Olivia is in the top 5... In my opinion my daughters name is beautiful and classic and i always get positive feedback on her name. I hope thar helps.

ShelbyStarfish

I'm a Jessica with a very common last name too, and had at least 3 other Jessica's in each of my classes and in high school had 2 other girls in my school with the same first and last name.  It was annoying, but didn't do an mental damage  

I am in the same situation now.  I love, love, love the name Emma -  but it is one of the top names right now, and I can't decide if I want to use it or not. 

memali26

Go to the SSA website and look at the top names with the number of babies born with that name for the year (It's an option on the homepage of the baby names). I just did this last night and was pretty surprised at how low the numbers were for even the top 10 names and am less apprehensive about the possibility of using a more popular name now.

Livs-mama

I also went with Olivia for my daughter.  I loved the name way before I knew it was in the top 5.  She is 2.5 now and I still have yet to meet another Olivia.  So I am happy with my choice!

skio

Yep. It doesn't bother me. All the names we liked were fairly popular.

nmh2001

My DD is Olivia and I honestly wish I could change it. I had no idea how popular it was and I meet baby Olivias every where we go. I'm so sick of it and wish I'd given her a more unique name.