We are expecting baby #3, a boy (we have 2 girls). I like to stay out of the top 50 names, but really like [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]. My girls are 2 and 5 and have been in school/daycare their entire lives, and I’ve never met an [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] in their classes or in my circle. [name_m]How[/name_m] many Ethans do you know?
By comparison, I know 3 [name_m]Henry[/name_m]’s under age 2, and it was only 4 places behind [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] in 2017.
Other names we’re considering (all much less popular):
[name_m]Grant[/name_m]
[name_u]Dean[/name_u]
[name_m]Peter[/name_m]
I love the name [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] as well, but just passed on it for my newborn. I think it’s popular enough that your son may have to go by his last initial in class, especially since there aren’t really nicknames for [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]. If that doesn’t bother you, go for it! I do like [name_m]Peter[/name_m] too… Good luck!
I know a lot of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]'s…maybe 7 I think? Only one is under the age of 10. It is popular but not popular enough for more than one [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] in a class, maybe 2 or 3 in a year level maximum. Personally, I just love [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], it’s modern but it’s so gorgeous. [name_u]Dean[/name_u] is my favourite of the other names, it’s got the same general feel as [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], just not the same vibrancy.
Sounds like [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] may not be as popular where you live—popularity can vary from state to state, town to town. If you love the name, use it!
(I will say I have a soft spot for [name_u]Dean[/name_u], and [name_m]Peter[/name_m] to a lesser extent.)
I only know 2 Ethans. I know more Grants than Ethans!
[name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is an anomaly for me in a way because while statistically apparently popular, I very rarely actually hear it on a person, so it still feels totally new and fresh to my ears.
I have had these same thoughts/questions! [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is a very lovely name. I think I put it in a different category in my mind than names that feel trendy in an annoying/will-be-dated someday way. I feel like [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] has/will stand the test of time and won’t be one of those names associated with a particular generation. So, I say if you love [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], go with [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], even if the stats show that it’s well-used. That may be, but I haven’t met any little [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]'s either!
I like [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] a lot, too! I personally know none, although I’ve heard it a time or two in passing. It does rank really high, but it’s a gorgeous name, and deserves the attention! I think it’s on its way out, which is why you may hear more Henrys than Ethans? I’d also check your state data, if you’re in the US, because it might rank lower than the national data. (Which is one thing I’ve learned as I’ve been messing around with the top 100s in each state–some states love certain names MUCH more than the nation as a whole! [name_f]Lia[/name_f], for example, ranks within Delaware’s top 100, but is over 200 spaces lower on a national average! I doubt [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] will be THAT much less popular in your state, but it could vary a good deal. [name_u]Addison[/name_u] ranks 99 in the District of [name_f]Columbia[/name_f], but as high as 34 on the national average…)
Categorically, [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is popular, but I guess it’s just a matter of deciding if he’s too popular for you? I would easily use [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], for example, despite the popularity, but [name_u]Noah[/name_u], [name_m]Ethan[/name_m], and [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]/[name_f]Sofia[/name_f], which have a nearly identical ranking, I would only ever use as a MN, because they “feel” too popular for me, personally? Then again, I know enough Noahs and Sofias that I feel like it’d be confusing if I added another one to my group of acquaintances, friends, and family.
Good luck!
ETA: I [name_f]ADORE[/name_f] [name_m]Grant[/name_m] and [name_m]Peter[/name_m], though! I think any of those three–[name_m]Grant[/name_m], [name_m]Peter[/name_m], or [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]!–would be a fabulous choice. [name_u]Dean[/name_u] is lovely, too, but I’m just more drawn to those three.
I think its a great name. Growing up in school, i knew 2. Which means both of those boys are in their 20’s now. I havent heard it since. So i think you are pretty safe with it not being really common.