My husband and I like the name [name_u]Mason[/name_u], which we thought of a long time ago. Our family has a history of masonry and we thought it was a cool tie into family. But it seems like a very trendy name now. Any suggestions for making this name more unique? Spelling, pronunciation, or variation?
I don’t think [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is trendy but it is popular. I would actually keep it as [name_u]Mason[/name_u] instead of finding a different spelling or pronunciation. I can’t think of any variations but you should totally use it as it has family meaning in a really neat way. Good luck! 
Well, you could just name him Masonry.
Other related names:
[name_m]Brick[/name_m], [name_m]Rock[/name_m], [name_m]Stone[/name_m]
[name_m]Granite[/name_m], [name_u]Slate[/name_u], [name_u]Steel[/name_u], [name_m]Clay[/name_m]
Ashlar
[name_m]Carver[/name_m]
[name_u]Quarry[/name_u]
[name_m]Brick[/name_m] & [name_m]Stone[/name_m] come to mind. I do think that [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is trendy, but if it has a lot of meaning for you & you love the sound you should go for it. I do understand wanting something more distinct. Perhaps [name_m]Maceo[/name_m], [name_m]Matteo[/name_m], [name_m]Maxim[/name_m], [name_m]Maynard[/name_m], Maurer ([name_m]German[/name_m] for brick-layer), [name_m]Mortimer[/name_m], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u] (perhaps just as trendy?), [name_m]Carver[/name_m], [name_u]Slate[/name_u]. You could look into the specific connection your family has to masonry, names of buildings & orders, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] in the language of your families origin perhaps?
I agree with the above comment from applemarie; if the name is significant and an extention of you, don’t let the pressures of popularity effect your decision to use it.
It’s like my love of the name [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]. I always have loved it, but since marrying [name_u]Michael[/name_u], decided it is so much of an extention of both my husband and I, that no matter it’s popularity, we will use it as a future son’s name. In a way “[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]” would honor his father as a “strong man of God”, and both are arch-angels
[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] is another. I’ve loved [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] since I first saw it 9 yrs ago; she is one of my beloved literary characters. Of course, she is also getting more popular, but not popular enough to deter me.
But it’s up to you if you love it enough to subject your son to being known as one of 5 in his graduating class…? I suppose it depends on where you live. I’ve been advised by fellow Berries that my names are popular, but I haven’t found that to be true in my area… and I’m involved with the school system.
When you add up variant spellings, [name_u]Mason[/name_u] isn’t #2. It’s still in the top ten, but [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is far less popular than it appears. I would recommend looking at the stats for your state. Since [name_u]Mason[/name_u] is so meaningful to you, I wouldn’t discard it because of popularity. Changing the spelling or pronunciation won’t make it more unusual. It will just make it misspelled and/or mispronounced. I like the idea of [name_m]Stone[/name_m], assuming your ancestors were stonemasons.
I would either use it as a middle or make it his surname.
I taught a [name_f]Maysen[/name_f], but she was a girl, so I think that might be a bit too girly for a boy. But, it’s a thought…
Please don’t change the spelling! I like [name_u]Mason[/name_u] just as it is, and think that the popularity won’t matter when it’s actually your child - if you truly love it, don’t let popularity sway you anyway. Good luck!
I would use it. [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] had special significance for our family and we chose to use it anyway even though it is #2 where we live. Granted I do used to get a bit annoyed when we met other little Olivers, but I have just kept in mind the reasons we chose it and now it bugs me less. I am so glad we didn’t change our choice based on popularity because I love that he has a name that means something for our family. Good luck with your decision!
Thanks everyone - this is really great advice. Sounds like most of you are in support of keeping the name since it has significance to us - without changing it up. My husband has a unique name that he would prefer we call our son, but I really [name_f]DO[/name_f] NOT like juniors, having to give him a nickname, or having to say “little” in front of the name because there would be two of them in the household. Personal preference of course. So, if we go with something that is a little more on the popular side like [name_u]Mason[/name_u], I’m worried of regretting it down the line if he ends up being one in five in his class. Then again, that was me growing up - and we ended up going by last names! This is such a TOUGH decision!! You’ve all been extremely helpful though - and thanks!