Emma

MrsLilac337

Now I know that this name is very, very popular, but DH absolutely loves it. I love it too and am only hesitant because of its popularity. 

So, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the name Emma as well as its popularity. Is it one of those names where you know 5 (I don't know any, but am not around many babies or little kids)? Is it very annoying and troublesome for a child to have a popular name?

If we did use it, we would try to use a less popular MN. 

Thank you for any input!  

bumpuser5823822

I think its an adorable name. Although your right, very popular.

Although I have to admit I know more Emmalyns then Emmas.

kayjay10

I love the name! Out of all the people I know who are pregnant or just had babies (even on facebook), I can say I do not know any Emmas!

aeh72

I love it.  I would use it despite it's popularity because I think it's timeless and beautiful.

jennyann28

Well, I have a pretty strong opinion about popular names, as I was a Jennifer in the 80s. I STRONGLY dislike having such a popular name. My only SIL is also Jennifer, and once in college I took a (coed) class with 16 students in it. TEN were named Jennifer! I am a kindergarten teacher now, so I know a LOT of little Emmas. Last year I had 11 girls in my class, 2 were Emma. The specialists in the school never knew which was which. I'd ask, was it Emma P. or Emma S.? They could never remember. Emma is a nice name. But do your kid a favor and give her a name where she at least has a chance of not having to go by her last initial.

plunderb

I really like Emma ? I think it is sweet and pretty, but agree that the popularity is a turn-off. DH's grandma (and great-grandma and gg-gma, etc.) were all named Emma, so it was a possibility for us. On the other hand, I know 4 Emmas under 5 and I don't even know that many kids. Still, I'd rather meet a 5th Emma than a 5th Madison, Makayla, or McKinley.

But if you love it and agree, that's important too. I doubt anyone will think it's a horrid name, just a little boring.

MrsLilac337

Wow, thank you everyone for your thoughtful and helpful responses! This is our first baby and many people I know who have babies are using kre8tive spellings, made up names, etc. and the rest all have boys! Haha So, I am so glad to get the opinions of those who know a lot of little Emmas! It was also helpful to hear about the perspective of having a very popular name (mine was only some-what popular so I didn't mind it) and teachers who are sick of seeing Emma. I definitely don't want her to be Emma S. for the rest of her life, so that is definitely something to consider whether or not we love the name! 

Thank you! I can always count on this board for honest and thoughtful insight!  

AnnieH32

It's a lovely name. Even though it is close to the top of the list for girls, the top is not what it used to be. There are just way more names being used. So, maybe there will be one or two other Emma's in her age group at school. If that is a big problem for you, don't use it. Emma is not exactly the Jennifer or Heather of 2012, though.

NHbride129

I tend to like the popular names and Emma is too popular even for me.  I hear it often and I don't think it ages very well.  I like Emily much better. 

bakedlaurabean

I don't know any Emmas IRL and I have many mom friends and go to a large toddler gym class (except for my best friend's niece, but she's on the other side of the country and I've never met her). I've never been a fan of the name and couldn't understand the popularity of it when it started with Friends. That said, I love the name Emme/Emmy. Funny how I can like a name so similar, but not like Emma at all! If it's really the name that you love, I wouldn't worry about the popularity of it.

plutoisaplanet

I think that the most important thing is that you choose a name that YOU love.  Yes, Emma is popular, but if you absolutely love it that might just be something you live with.

On the flip side of the popular name debate, my name was also extremely popular in the 80's - there were a few other people with the same name in school, and in college my roommate and I had the same name.  Honestly, it never bothered me.  I thought it was kind of fun, gave me something to bond with others over, and led to some fun, inventive nicknames.  

I'd encourage you to keep looking, but if you keep coming back to Emma - I say go for it!

Good luck! 

Skooled917

Joy2611:

This name, at least among people I know on Facebook, is sickeningly popular.  That doesn't make it a bad name, but it does make it overdone and leads to people (like me) thinking "Oh man, another one?"

It's at or close to the number one name in the US, Canada, France, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium.  That's one popular name.  It turns me off it, but for some people (obviously) popularity doesn't matter.  It's really your call.

Aside from popularity, I actually don't like the name.  (Am I allowed to admit that?)  Even when Monica Gellar first said the name that launched this trend, I didn't like it.  It's not strong enough for me and, forgive me, but it sounds little girly to me.  When I think of strong feminine names, I think of Elizabeth, Victoria, Genevieve, etc.  But, not everyone is looking for the same kind of name as me.  

If Emma fits the bill for you, then I would go for it.  You should definitely love your child's name.  But, above are some reasons that would give me pause before picking it that may or may not matter to you.

I agree with every single word.  I don't think it ages well and I overall just don't care for the name.  That being said, it is a legit name!

PS- I know 6 Emma's under the age of 6 (one is my niece and the others are FB).

Mnerani

plunderb:

Still, I'd rather meet a 5th Emma than a 5th Madison, Makayla, or McKinley.

 

This! 

jallascalla

About 10 yrs ago I loved this name, but I would never in a million years use it now.

I know so many Emmas, particularly the name Emma Grace, it is ridiculous. Some of them are Emily's or Emme that go by Emma as a nn, and one is an Emiglia. There are so many variations on the "Em" names that I place this in the "Jennifer of the 1980s" category now.

Upper West Side

Emma has been my favorite name ever since I was a little girl.  It's what I used to call my Barbie dolls.  Darn Rachel Green had to name her baby Emma on Friends!  Maybe it wouldn't be so popular and you wouldn't be having this debate.  Have you tried going on the social security database?  You can check to see whether it is as popular in your state as it is nationwide.  It also shows you the number of babies with the name in any given year.  https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/state/index.html

 I personally wouldn't use the name because it's so popular, but if you love it I say go for it.  At least it's a classic, popular name and not something super trendy. 

kleigh926

I love the name Emma, but DH hates it. If he was on board, that would definitely be one of our top contenders. I don't like that it's so popular, but I do like the name enough to get over that.

MrsLilac337

Thank you so much, everyone! I will definitely be taking all of your feedback into consideration and will discuss it with DH. 

Even though I still think it's a great name, I'm thinking it might be better for us to choose one of our other name options. Still not completely decided though!

Thank you for all your help!  

hgfmom

plutoisaplanet:

I think that the most important thing is that you choose a name that YOU love.  Yes, Emma is popular, but if you absolutely love it that might just be something you live with.

On the flip side of the popular name debate, my name was also extremely popular in the 80's - there were a few other people with the same name in school, and in college my roommate and I had the same name.  Honestly, it never bothered me.  I thought it was kind of fun, gave me something to bond with others over, and led to some fun, inventive nicknames.  

I'd encourage you to keep looking, but if you keep coming back to Emma - I say go for it!

Good luck! 

This, exactly. I was a Tiffany in the 80's. I lived. It wasn't that difficult. I love Emma and will use it if our next baby is a girl. I will just be try to be a little more unique with her middle name. There are a ton of Emma Grace's, Emma Claire's, and Emma Kate's.

victoria+james

I love the name, but its popularity is a big turn off for me.