"Super popular" girl name

bmolson1 · June 2015

DH and I have had a hard time coming up with a good name for DD2. DD1 is Molly Elizabeth and we finally came up with Emma Caroline for DD2. But when I started looking it up, it looks like Emma is super popular right now, which sort of turns me off of it. We didn't realize that when we picked it. What do you think? Should we avoid a name just because it's very popular or go with it? I love how it goes with DD1's name and its classic and feminine without sounding like an old lady name (dh thinks all the names I like sound like golden girls names). Should I just ignore the lists?

jbettles · June 2015

Check what list you are looking at - popularity varies by region, and sometimes you can find state lists rather than national. For example, my sister's kids are William and Olivia, both in the top 5 of the national list, however there are no Williams or Olivias at the school I teach at. Also, a name being near the top isn't the same as it was back in the 80's, when names like Jessica, Jennifer, Sarah, or Rachel meant there were five other kids In your class with that name. I don't know the link, but Social Security (I think that's where I saw it) lists how many kids by number were given a particular name in each state last year. I say go for it, Emma is a very pretty name!

jmacd22 · June 2015

I would stick with the name

thinkpink101 · June 2015

In my area it was super popular around 11 years ago and then pretty popular since, but I don't know any babies/toddlers with the name. If you love it, go for it!

chelseajeanene · June 2015

It the preschool I recently left theirs were multiple Emma's in some classes, it's extremely popular in my area but if you love the name that shouldn't stop you! My husband and I decided on the name Noah about 6 years ago and unfortunately it's been the #1 boys name for 2-3 years now on the list. I'm not happy it's so popular but I don't want to give up a name I love just based on so many others loving it too

shaunnar053 · June 2015

Well, I do have to say, the SECOND I read the title of this thread I said "Let me guess, Emma." So if you're trying to avoid popularity, I would skip the name, without a doubt. However, it's still a beautiful name and it's completely up to you!

jennsuzanne87 · June 2015

It's popular because it's pretty! I had a very popular 80s name *Jennifer* and it never bothered me as a kid to share my name. It kind of made you instant friends with the other kids you shared names with, actually. I agree with the pp's here- bear in mind as it was already mentioned- names are so varied and unique these days that it's not as though there will be 5 or 6 girls with that name per say. The popular names lately, such as Olivia and Piper will probably only have 2-3 other girls around with that name.

PrincessPiper · June 2015

It's beautiful. Go with your gut.

FinalyFound · June 2015

DD has a VERY popular name that's on the top 5 for girls. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. It's the name we loved and suits her.

bbiutmcph · June 2015

There is a difference between popular classic names and then popular trendy names. Emma is classic popular, you could meet someone of any age with the name, just like Sofia, Charlotte, Olivia. Names like Riley, Harper, Piper and Avery are also popular but they are not classic popular, they had massive jumps in usage, are masculine in nature or names tied to pop culture (like Jackson/Jax). I would never hesitate to use a top ten name that is classic but definitely would to use a name that would date my child like Jennifer of the 80's. Emma Caroline is beautiful, ages well and won't time stamp your daughters name. Use it.

mrscate88 · June 2015

Yep my hubby picked Emma and I fell in love with it! Two months later, we found out it's the most popular girl name in America right now. I've never met an Emma personally, and we've decided to stick with the name. Go with the name you love and don't worry about anyone else. We're going with Emma Marie :-)

rylee murray · June 2015

Stick with it. If you both like it, that's all that really matters.

verveine407 · June 2015

If you love it go for it! If you are really not happy with the potential for others with that name in her school - you could switch the popular name to the middle name.

There is really no way to control what other people name their kids. I went through school with a girl with my same first name and same initial as my last name. My name is not popular. It was just one of those things. Your child will probably take their cue from you, if you embrace the name you love, they will love it too. If you regret it, or make excuses for it, your child will know. A friend mine named her son Aiden and tells the story of how she didn't realize it was so popular when she named him every time she introduces her son. Idk, what effect that will have on her son's appreciation of his name, but no one really cares that there is another boy named Aidan in our area. I say: if you love it, go for it, and don't make apologies!

Btw: it's really pretty!

WDDCH · June 2015

Named my second-born Abigail and saw later that it was TOP 10 the year she was born (and is still popular). I didn't know how popular it was. No adverse side effects. In fact I never run into any other girls named Abigail but I run into a TON of girls named Elaina (my firstborn's name) and hers isn't a Top 100 name!

GeorgiaDottie · June 2015

I love the name!!

FinalyFound · June 2015

I also think you have to take in to account your region. Just because a name is popular on a top 100 list doesn't mean that name is going to be popular in your region.

lemondroplife · June 2015

I actually only know I've Emma and she is a co-worker. At my daughter's school there are a lot of Riley's...it varies from location. I say if you don't know any, go for it.