Hey. So I’ve been struggling with something and I’m wondering if anybody here can help. I’m trying to pick a boy name but I can’t decide between picking a common name or an uncommon one. Basically because:
[name_f]Do[/name_f] I pick something common, something basic, something timeless. Something that is unlikely to be misheard or misspelled. (But also something with tons of potential negative connotations because of how many other people have had the name.)
Like: [name_m]Steven[/name_m] or [name_m]Matthew[/name_m] or [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m]
Or
[name_f]Do[/name_f] I pick something weird, something uncommon, something I’ve never really heard on anyone I’ve met. Something with lots of potential to grow into. (But also something people will get wrong for the rest of eternity.)
Like [name_m]Ewan[/name_m] or [name_m]Dmitri[/name_m] or [name_u]Kieran[/name_u]?
I actually don’t think your 2nd list are so weird. They are not names I’ve heard on anyone I’ve met either, but on famous people or people I’ve heard of.
I prefer names that are somewhat uncommon but a name that is recognizable and easy to spell/pronounce.
Most people look for the sweet spot-- a name which is familiar, or at least approachable, to the uninitiated but which is still distinctive, uncommon and has special meaning to you & your partner. So the answer is prob a bit unsatisfactory-- “a bit of both.”
First off, I actually really love [name_m]Dimitri[/name_m]. secondly, sometimes people like both unusual, less common, and also are fond of classics. I will make a list and the first name will be more common, and the second not so much. Some in the second name category will be based on familiar names thus making them not sound so odd. Example, [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] is familiar but [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m] is unique, not in a bad way, and sounds like a relative of [name_m]Nicolas[/name_m].
So if I put [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or Alexekai, [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] is the first one and the more common one.
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or [name_m]Zander[/name_m]
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] or [name_m]Xavier[/name_m]
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] or [name_m]Adriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] or [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m]
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] or [name_m]Zachariah[/name_m]
[name_m]Zachary[/name_m] or [name_m]Zephaniah[/name_m]
[name_u]Devon[/name_u] or [name_m]Davian[/name_m]
[name_m]David[/name_m] or [name_m]Davis[/name_m]
[name_m]Daniel[/name_m] or [name_m]Davidson[/name_m]
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_m]Tobin[/name_m]
[name_m]Matthew[/name_m] or [name_m]Matthias[/name_m]
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] or [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]
[name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] or [name_m]Jax[/name_m]
[name_m]Joseph[/name_m] or [name_f]Juno[/name_f]
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] or [name_m]Hayes[/name_m]
[name_u]Hayden[/name_u] or [name_m]Hugh[/name_m]
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] or [name_u]Brett[/name_u]
[name_m]Brian[/name_m], [name_m]Bryan[/name_m], or [name_m]Bryant[/name_m]
Classic and familiar you may like:
[name_m]Caleb[/name_m]…[name_m]Isaac[/name_m]…[name_u]Mason[/name_u]…[name_u]Tyler[/name_u]
…[name_m]Patrick[/name_m]…[name_m]Maxwell[/name_m], [name_u]Logan[/name_u], or [name_m]William[/name_m]
some less common ones are:
[name_u]Flynn[/name_u], [name_m]Quinlan[/name_m], [name_m]Quentin[/name_m], Chatham, [name_m]Kent[/name_m], or [name_m]Prescott[/name_m].
Pick your favourite name. That’s my advice. Yeah, you can search around for a middle spot or restrict yourself by searching for names that no one’s ever heard of. Or you could just pick one you and your SO really love, regardless of popularity. If you absolutely adore [name_m]Matthew[/name_m], go for it. If you can see yourself with a little [name_m]Dmitri[/name_m], go for it. Personally, I don’t see why a common name has tonnes of negative associations just because there are others with the same name. Does it really matter if they meet other people with ‘their’ name in their life? The person makes the name, the name doesn’t make the person
That’s what I meant. Like, names that aren’t so weird that no one’s ever heard them ever, but most people haven’t met someone with that name. Like, names that no way will a person with that name show up to a party and find two other people there with that name.
That’s what I meant. Like, names that aren’t so weird that no one’s ever heard them ever, but most people haven’t met someone with that name. Like, names that no way will a person with that name show up to a party and find two other people there with that name.
I actually really like [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m] and [name_m]Davis[/name_m]! Those are cool. Thanks! And that’s a good point about differentiations on common names. I’m going to look into those more.
Enh. I suppose so. But… It’s something I can’t get over, you know? It’s not so much meeting other people with the same name as it is… okay, well, there’s this famous person with the same name, and I don’t like them, and then I can’t not think about it, and it ruins it a bit.
Also, I didn’t specify, but the name’s actually for me. I’m not having kids. Not for a while yet.
If you want to, perhaps you can give us suggestions of some names you’ve considered/names you like and we can give further ideas.
I tend towards the more unusual names. But there are some classics, like [name_m]Edward[/name_m], that I just love. I just couldn’t bring myself to use it in first position though. I know the person makes the name but I just love names so much that it’s really cool to meet someone with a name that makes me want to ask, “Tell me about your name.” But maybe people hate being asked that… Personally, I’d love an unusual name that I could show off!
Perhaps consider names that have ‘regular’ spellings that others can sound out fairly easily.
Actually, I was talking about exactly that with my best friend earlier. She has an unusual name (Korynn rather than [name_f]Corinne[/name_f], which isn’t exactly common to begin with) and she was saying how while sometimes it’s annoying, it’s also fun to have an unusual name because like you said, there’s a story to it. People will ask about it. It’s a conversation starter.
Also, I love [name_m]Edward[/name_m], but I hate [name_m]Ed[/name_m]. So. That’s out. It’s not a bad middle name choice though…
And with all that in mind, here are some names I’ve been considering:
I also have that problem with [name_m]Edward[/name_m] - I do not like [name_m]Ed[/name_m] or [name_m]Eddie[/name_m] at all.
I really like all of the names on your list except [name_m]Dmitri[/name_m] and [name_m]Kellan[/name_m]. Here are some other names that I like and that come to mind based on your list:
That is actually a problem I’ve been having. I’m trying not to pick a name that’s in the top 100 for this year or last year.
I’ll admit it’s probable someone who isn’t name obsessed might not notice and guess that my name is new, but… it’s something I’ve been thinking about anyway.
These are all very good points. The last name in question is [name_m]Graham[/name_m], which, fortunately, goes with almost everything except maybe L names, because then the initials would be LG, like the phone company. But even then, that’s not so bad.
