I am struggling with the popularity of 2 names of my top 5 list - [name]Benjamin[/name] (#(24 in NY) and [name]Ryan[/name] (#10 in NY). We seem to have dodged a bullet with [name]Jack[/name] so far, he has yet to have another [name]Jack[/name] in his class or camp group. I can almost guarantee there will another [name]Ryan[/name] if we decide to use it since I have seen so many lately.
For some reason I think a boy could care less if there is another one around and tend to start using nicknames alot where as a girl would be more bothered by it.
I know alot of this is a personal decisions but has anyone else gone through this and what did you decide?
I have a friend (she’s in [name]Sweden[/name]) who always wanted to name her son [name]Hugo[/name], but it was in the top 10 the year before he was born so she went with [name]Mio[/name] instead. She doesn’t regret naming her son [name]Mio[/name], but she says that if she has another son, she will call him [name]Hugo[/name].
No but I agree with you, I think a boy could care less. I could’ve cared less and I grew up with a top 10 name for my generation, I always had at least two other girls with the same name in my grade and usually one in my classes but I guess I felt secure in my identity and self esteem if that makes sense? Basically I always knew there were stand out things about me that separated me and the 5 other girls that shared my name so I wasn’t afraid of being mixed up with them or forgotten in a sea of them. It probably helps that I love my name and think its beautiful 
If you love the name and your gut tells you to use it then I say why not?
I firmly believe that each person’s personality makes the name unique to them, regardless of how popular it is. As a teacher, I can assure you that despite the many multiples I have of a name, each child is totally different and I associate the name to the person, not to the other people with the same name. If you love a name, use it!
I have a weird complex where I have NO desire to use an overly popular name…to the point where I could love a name but would not use it if it was in the top 10 (or even top 50). If you used a more popular name, maybe spruce it up with an uncommon middle! This was helpful to me growing up. I had a very common name and so I would often go by my 1st and middle to differentiate.
I do totally agree with the above comment though… each child makes their name unique in it’s own right.
I have the opposite going on… I loved the name [name]Harper[/name] for years. It was my top pick when I was pregnant last time. I researched it and couldn’t help but notice how it was rising. When I was pregnant, that actor…the one from from [name]Doogie[/name] Howser, named his girl twin [name]Harper[/name] and that was pretty much the last straw. I knew I had to pick something else despite my love affair. We chose [name]Juniper[/name]. Everytime i hear of a new [name]Harper[/name], which is very often, I’m so thankful I didn’t use it. I would be so annoyed every time another is announced. My daughter is almost two…I’m just so happy I didn’t go with it. I did think about just going w it despite how I thought it would rise.
Kind of the same story now with a boy name…
I don’t see why should someone regret for giving the name for their child
That’s why we all consider few names first and then decide which one to give.