We’re expecting our 4th boy. When we had our first and second sons, the idea that we’d eventually have to name 4 boys never crossed our minds, and we used up our next-best name choices as middle names. Oops.
Now, thanks to our preference for traditional names and our gigantic family having used most of those names already, we are a bit stuck. Our first 3 boys’ names were classic but not terribly common today, ranking in the 150 - 300 range in the US. We’ve never before considered anything in the top 10, but now…[name]Jacob[/name] - to be called [name]Jake[/name] - is looking really good! Our boys suggested it (thank you, Disney [name]Jr[/name]), but it’s actually the only name to which both my husband and I have reacted positively.
But it is so wretchedly common. So be honest: Is naming your kid [name]Jacob[/name] (or [name]Sophia[/name], or [name]Mason[/name]-[name]Ethan[/name]-[name]Emma[/name]-[name]Isabella[/name]) “giving up?”
No, I don’t think so. It is a lovely classic boys name and I can see why so many have chosen it. If it feels like the right fit for you and your family don’t be ashamed to choose it.
Extra note: If you like the nickname [name]Jake[/name], you could always try [name]Jacobi[/name]/y if [name]Jacob[/name]'s popularity is too much for you.
What are your boys’ names?? Then nameberry can help you with suggestions… I kind of think it is giving up… Let us help… I wouldn’t want the second most common name in the United. States…
If you and your husband both love it, why not? No, it is not ‘giving up’- I don’t really understand that. What are you giving up on? [name]Jacob[/name], [name]Sophia[/name], [name]Emma[/name], [name]Isabella[/name] and [name]Ethan[/name] are all lovely classic names ([name]Mason[/name] is different, it being a trendy surname with little history of use) which are easy to spell and pronounce. [name]Will[/name] they meet someone else in their lives with the same name? Yes, in all probability. Does that really matter? No. The world won’t end because you meet someone else with ‘your’ name. By all means, keep looking around for other names if you’re not 100% sure, but [name]Jacob[/name] is lovely!
I just don’t see the point in giving up on a name you love because it’s popular. GO FOR IT!
Our boys are [name]Peter[/name], [name]Stephen[/name] and [name]Brendan[/name].
We’ve tried all kinds of name suggestion lists and tools on here and other sites. The problem is, we come from truly giant families (think, 12 siblings, almost 40 nieces & nephews with many more boys than girls, dozens upon dozens of first cousins, etc) and just about every obvious and not so obvious choice has already been taken. No one else has repeated, aside from a couple of juniors, so we don’t want to either.
[name]Jacob[/name] is still available, probably because it is so popular.
[name]Will[/name] they meet someone else in their lives with the same name? Yes, in all probability. Does that really matter? No. The world won’t end because you meet someone else with ‘your’ name.
Yeah, that doesn’t bother me. My husband and I both have Top-10 names for our generation, and it has never been a problem or upset us. I just wonder if every teacher he meets will see “[name]Jacob[/name]” and roll her eyes, like, “Oh look, ANOTHER one.” I suppose, though, that it really doesn’t matter. This is sort of the ultimate navel-gazing, isn’t it?
It’s not giving up at all! If you love a name I don’t think how popular it is should matter I think [name]Peter[/name], [name]Stephen[/name], [name]Brendan[/name] and [name]Jacob[/name] make a great sibset.
I think as long as you really love the name, popularity shouldn’t matter. It’s a handsome, respectable name. So what if he’s not the only [name]Jacob[/name] in his class? Plus, if he’s going by [name]Jake[/name] most of the time, that sets him a bit apart.
As a teacher, I can assure you that the only names that teachers roll their eyes at are kre8tive spellngs, made-up names and absurd word names. Normal names like [name]Jacob[/name]/[name]Jake[/name] are always welcome.
[name]Jacob[/name] is a great name, strong history, ages well, cute nn ([name]Jake[/name], which is why I assume your kids like it…my youngest named her new Build a [name]Bear[/name] “[name]Izzy[/name]” because of the show, lol) etc. Maybe you can compromise and put it as the middle name, and honor the wish of your other kids that way? [name]Linus[/name] wanted to name Vio “[name]Thomas[/name]” or “[name]Diesel[/name] 10” when I was pregnant with her and strangely enough we put [name]Liesel[/name] on the list except thought it “looked” to similar to his name…but that is another story…)
Top ten names when not trendy (meaning, popular for a short time then off into oblivion, like mine was…) are usually solid. It just matters if you care that its that popular.
Unless you are really smitten with it and feel that is his name, then go for it! Either way, a fun story, thanks Disney [name]Jr[/name]!
If it makes you feel better, [name]Jacob[/name] drops down to No. 3 in popularity (on the 2011 NameNerds popularity chart) if you consider all of the spellings of a particular name together (i.e. [name]Aiden[/name], [name]Aden[/name], [name]Ayden[/name], etc. all count as one name since they are pronounced the same). See http://www.namenerds.com/uucn/pop.html.
[name]Jacob[/name] has been going strong for thousands of years. It’s a fine name, and there’s a reason why it’s perennially popular! I wouldn’t worry about it having the top spot if you like it.
You’ve found a name you both like, that goes beautifully with your other kids’ names, and that no one else in your big family has used. That sounds like a triple win to me!
It’s totally not giving up! If you love the name, use it. [name]Just[/name] because it’s popular overall doesn’t mean that every kid you meet is gonna have it. Who cares if someone else thinks you just used it because it was the number one? Clearly you didn’t if your other boys don’t have top 10 names.
It’s a great name!
Your kids’ names are all strong classics, names with history, and [name]Jacob[/name] fits right into that. It’s not giving up unless you don’t love it, and that has nothing to do with its popularity.
[name]Do[/name] you want any other name suggestions, or do you just need reassurance that you don’t always have to be a Special Snowflake to be accepted here?
[name]Jacob[/name] would sound lovely with big brother’s names. I also suggest [name]Gideon[/name], [name]Thomas[/name], [name]Isaac[/name], [name]Cole[/name], [name]Charles[/name], [name]Daniel[/name], [name]Nathaniel[/name], [name]James[/name], [name]Everett[/name], [name]Benjamin[/name], [name]Nathan[/name], if they are not already used by cousins.
I have always liked [name]Jacob[/name]/[name]Jake[/name]. In fact, I named my son that before it was super popular - he was born in 93. He never had a another [name]Jake[/name] in his classes but there have been some coming up behind him. [name]Jacob[/name] works well with your other sons names.
I live with teachers. I know more teachers than you can possibly imagine and than I can remember, and let me tell you something. In the beginning they may be looking for interesting names that they’ve never heard of but ultimately what they want are good students who behave and do their work. My mom is retiring after very very long teaching career and at some point the names all run together (and she has had some very uniquely named kids let me tell you). My sister and I had top 100 (atleast) names and you know we survived and we like our names.
I don’t think its giving up if you really love the name. I also see you’re like my family very very traditional. I like your kids names and think [name]Jacob[/name] fits right in.
