Trendy Names

jrouge12 · September 2015

Hi! First time I've started a post but I've been lurking and posting for a couple months. I searched our board for a topic like this and didn't see one.

I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are on choosing a name that's "trendy" or "popular"? My husband and I have recently agreed on a rising popularity name for our little girl. We picked it before I really new how popular it's becoming. I searched the name board for it and people there were very negative about how "trendy" it is. Even though it's a classic name with a long history.

I just don't get why people get so up in arms about popular names.

I don't have a problem with popular names. I'm an '80s Jennifer. There's a lot of us. I never felt lost in the crowd and always like meeting other Jennifers. People can spell my name, pronounce my name and remember my name no problem. I love my trendy name! They've written songs about it! (I do go by Jenny)

PS: I'm not mentioning the name we chose because I don't really want negative opinions on the name.

ainverso · September 2015

I think if you love the name go for it. Trend names mean your name is a good one I would assume. We chose a girls name 3 years ago that we loved and it is now becoming more popular. We are ok with that because we really like the name. Don't let others tell you what to name your child.

cawalp · September 2015

I think now everybody is obsessed with having a unique name, that's why they don't like 'trendy' names. I think it's the fact that they don't want other kids to have the same name but that's just not very likely at all. There are only so many names and you're almost guaranteed to meet someone else with your name. Just choose a name you like and nobody else's opinion matters

QueenCarlissa · September 2015

I don't mind the 'trendy' names people love the classic Marie's, grace, Ann which is grandma names to me but I don't take anything personal like its your baby not mine.

For example this. Then he goes to say "okay it's your baby." Couldn't find the full meme and I'm on here through mobile.

Myelhsa · September 2015

Ugh, is it Brynleigh/Brynnlee/Brinlee or any variation of that?

ntyravgsp · September 2015

I just wanted to preface my thoughts by saying that I see trendy and popular to mean different things. Trendy (to me) is like a fad, popular is something that in general people tend to like.

Some of the trends with names, like giving an otherwise ordinary name a you-neek spelling or smooshing two names together; I think a lot of people don't like because it doesn't "look" right, will nearly always (if not always) be either mis-spelled or mispronounced, it doesn't follow convention, and there's an unfortunate predisposition to judge the child, the parents, or both on any number of traits (from education level to assumed personality and beyond) based on the given name.

I think that people who want to avoid popular names feel that way because they don't want their child to have the same name as a high proportion of their peers. Something uncommon stands out, and that appeals to some parents.

Edited clarity

UptownPearl · September 2015

My number one girl name was Charlotte, but once the princess got that name I scratched it off the list. It's classic and beautiful, but way too popular for my taste now. Personally, I don't want my child to always have to be called by their full name because there are five other kids in their class with the same name, but that's just my own feelings. I don't think there's anything wrong with popular names as long as they are spelled correctly. I think if you and your SO love the name that's all that really matters. I know a lot of women have an impossible time agreeing on anything, so that's a huge battle you've already avoided. In the end do what makes you happy! An incorrectly spelled name or one that's just plain bad is far far worse than having a popular name.

laineylove78 · September 2015

There were so many names that I loved for years that recently became super popular and now I just can't picture myself using. For me, it's not that there would be six Olivia's in my kids class as much as everyday I have friends on FB naming their kid Olivia, and I didn't want to have a baby and announce the name and have it be "another Olivia." That being said Olivia, Charlotte, Sophia, Emma (my original top 4) are gorgeous names and I would never side eye someone for using them.

We named DD Lelaina, bc we both loved the name for years from Reality Bites. I was worried it was too weird, and yes when people ask her name I have to repeat myself. It is mispronounced at first sight and I'm sure my poor DD will be correcting teachers for years. But we both just loved the name so much that we couldn't pass up using it. And once people are told they don't have a hard time with it. It's really just Elaina, with an L anyway...

With that being said I have a friend who has named her three girls Blaise, Cruz, and Reef, and believe be I've side eyed the shit out of all three of those names, but now it's just their name and that's that.

So I guess what I'm saying is, name your baby something YOU and DH LOVE, if you do that it won't matter of its a top 5 name, a variation of a name, or something no one would have ever considered to be a name. Once LO is here it won't matter and their name will be their name.

Kelley421 · September 2015

I have an Emma and if I could go back and make myself realize how popular it was (and still is)- I don't think if change it. Because that is my sweet DD's name and I adore it and her.
Everyone has an opinion! It's your kid!

cawalp · September 2015

@laineylove78 Most of the new names that are typical among celebrities make me laugh, but Reef has got to be the absolute weirdest that I've heard of.

mrhargr · September 2015

laineylove78 said:
There were so many names that I loved for years that recently became super popular and now I just can't picture myself using. For me, it's not that there would be six Olivia's in my kids class as much as everyday I have friends on FB naming their kid Olivia, and I didn't want to have a baby and announce the name and have it be "another Olivia." That being said Olivia, Charlotte, Sophia, Emma (my original top 4) are gorgeous names and I would never side eye someone for using them.

We named DD Lelaina, bc we both loved the name for years from Reality Bites. I was worried it was too weird, and yes when people ask her name I have to repeat myself. It is mispronounced at first sight and I'm sure my poor DD will be correcting teachers for years. But we both just loved the name so much that we couldn't pass up using it. And once people are told they don't have a hard time with it. It's really just Elaina, with an L anyway...

With that being said I have a friend who has named her three girls Blaise, Cruz, and Reef, and believe be I've side eyed the shit out of all three of those names, but now it's just their name and that's that.

So I guess what I'm saying is, name your baby something YOU and DH LOVE, if you do that it won't matter of its a top 5 name, a variation of a name, or something no one would have ever considered to be a name. Once LO is here it won't matter and their name will be their name.

Olivia Grace was the name we had decided in but I made the mistake of looking it up on Nameberry. It is #2 in the US right now so we are second guessing it. It is such a beautiful name though!

missperky · September 2015

I went with Olivia for DD. Don't regret it, I've loved since I first saw Olivia Newton-John in Grease when I was 10. Okay sure when were out in public and I call her name at least one little girl and her mother look our way, but oh well she's my Olivia. This time around we decided to stray away from our beloved boy name Ash, because it's too closer to Asher/ Ashton. (we're team green this time) If it was up to DH he would pick from the top 10 names from both sexes, he doesn't see anything wrong with it. And there isn't.

laxdixdar · September 2015

I'm not too keen on trendy names, but like you the name we chose is classic and quickly rising in popularity.

Regardless it's our name and I'm not letting thr popularity change my mind.

mrhargr · September 2015

Scullahoo said:
I think the difficulty with names is that people often try and shorten them or change them. Charlotte could become Charlie or Char or Lottie for example. I love the unshortened Charlotte but not the others. I know whatever name we choose, MIL will hate it and call baby by a nickname or name of HER choosing.

Yes! My 2 year old is Madeline and people are always trying to shorten it to Maddie. It is a big pet peeve of mine. She is so not a Maddie personality wise. Her former babysitter kept calling her Maddie even after I told her I didn't like it and would prefer if she used Madeline. It made me wonder what else she did that we discussed her not doing.

Sovvy · September 2015

I agree with PP, trendy is not the same as popular. There were so many Ashley's in my elem that I wasn't even Ashley S, I was Ashley C-S because there were 3 of us in my 4/5th split class. I hated it.

jrouge12 · September 2015

Thanks everyone! This is such a big decision. Our name isn't even currently top 20 but I just seem to notice it more now. I know I shouldn't second guess a name I love (especially because it took DH and I a little less than 15 minutes to agree on a name we love).

The other plus side to our choice is that I am a teacher and this name has yet to be "ruined" for me!

AlabamaWorley · September 2015

The name that we have picked out for our girl has jumped on the name charts in the last 2 years. The more I thought about it, the more it didn't matter to me. Both of our sons have pretty popular names, but they suit them well and I in no way would want to go back and change them.

laxdixdar · September 2015

This thread is infuriating without the actual names

Our name is Ella. Which I believe is number 26 or something? It was between Ella and Caroline. Both which have been around for some time. Like I said... despite it gaining popularity I'm excited to meet MY Ella.

willashbaby · September 2015

I'm an Ashley, very popular but not "trendy", pretty classic. I hate it. I always have. Almost no one calls me by my name because it's just not who I am. No matter what name you pick, if your kid ends up not loving it, that's what nicknames are for. FWIW my middle name was also popular, there were 4 of us in my pre-k school all with the same first and middle name. Ugh.

mg137 · September 2015

We didn't want a super popular name but there's nothing wrong with it. Growing up I wanted a more common name because everyone pronounced it wrong or asked what it was short for (I got my wish because it's now super popular) but by my teenage years I loved that it was just mine. And now I still like that, whether in work or social situations, you say my first name and people know who I am. Also a very popular movie used my name in the 90s so no one mispronounces it anymore. My sister has a very common name which she loved until she was in college and then started going by her more unique middle name.

I'd go with a common name over a you-nique name any day. For us, though, it's names that (we think) have a little meaning to us, sound pretty, and are uncommon but not weird.

apinkpelican · September 2015

I think if you love it and don't care that there could be 6 others in the same class go for it!

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

@laxdixdar we are going with Elle--- I had no idea that was a name that Ella was a name that was rising in popularity until I just read your post. We are doing it for my grandma Eleanor. I guess it doesn't matter to be one way or the other if they were popular. I grew up as one of like 10 Christine/Kristen/Kristina/Krissy in my grade and I never thought twice about it.

JNGettinMarried · September 2015

Popular names now aren't even as popular as they used to be in the past. That doesn't make sense...
What I mean is, the most popular names in the past were more popular percentage wise than the most popular names are now. Since people are soooo against popular names, there's a more even distribution than there used to be. I wouldn't worry about it.

saraellenM · September 2015

We picked our boy name out 8 years ago. At the time it was almost 1,000 on the name list. Now it is number 64. So annoying! We are trying to agree on a different, less popular name but aren't having much luck. Looks like #64 it will be.

mamaksweez · September 2015

Personally I did not want a popular name for my dd, basically because I didn't want her to have to go by her last initial her whole life. I used to work at an elementary school and there were like 3 Sophia's in every Kindergarten room. There were 2 Sophia S's in the same room so they had to go by their entire first and last name... My name is not too common, I've maybe met 2 or 3 people with my same name, and I love that.
Anyway we ended up naming dd Norah and it was the #10 most popular girl name of her birth year... My husband has a common name and like you, he always knew others with the same name and was fine with it, so maybe it's just what you're used to.
I do agree with other pp's that there is a difference in popular and trendy names. I kind of hate trendy names...

amargaret24 · September 2015

If you're afraid to tell a bunch of strangers the name, how do you feel about telling your family? They will be more judgemental. Our families have hated every name we have picked. Whether it's classic, popular, unique. Whatever....they just wanna name our baby basically...for a girl we decided on Lucille Hazel and it literally gets the most hillarious feedback. People legit think we are nuts. But Lucy is so dang cute (and popular) and Lucille is classic and beautiful. WHATEVER to all the haters, do what feels good. You and your boo made the dang baby.

laxdixdar · September 2015

@amargaret24 I LOVE Lucille, and Lucy so very much. Great choice!

jrouge12 · September 2015

@amargaret24 We're just going to keep it a secret from our families. I'm not too worried about them being judgmental. On both sides they are caring and supporting.

@laxdixdar Caroline was actually on our short list so I love that name. And I know an amazing woman named Ella!

I guess in my dictionary (and Webster's) "trendy" is defined as "currently popular". I see the words as synonyms. It just seems people use "trendy" in a negative tone, so that's why I alternated between the two words in the original post!

lianeadine · September 2015

I named my first dd emma and even though it is popular, we liked it because it is classic. She is also the only emma in her entire daycare

bishoplmb · September 2015

We named our DD Charlotte (before the princess) and even though it has become super popular I still love it. It is the perfect name for her. I stressed over names last time so I told my husband that he gets to chose the name for our baby boy (but I do have Veto powers in case he wants to name him Batman).

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