Baby boy is due in January and hubby and I have STRUGGLED with boy names since even before we found out our first was going to be a girl.
Big sister will be 22 months when he is born. Her name is Mila Rose.
We’ve tossed around Jack, Simon, Blake and Jameson. Jameson was a favorite for a bit but we’re getting big pushback from family, and even though it shouldn’t bother us, it’s definitely getting into our heads.
I have always liked the name Liam, but avoided it because it’s the most used name in the US right now. I know it is super matchy-matchy with Mila, but that part doesn’t bother us. Husband is Mike (Michael), and I am Lisa, so our names were pretty popular when we were growing up and we did fine…and I do like that we’d have kids with a M and an L.
So…I guess the question is, should I let the popularity stop me?
Middle name will be Walter for my grandpa and uncle. Our last name starts with W.
I wouldn’t want to use that name because both [name_u]Liam[/name_u] and the longer form [name_u]William[/name_u] are in the top ten. [name_f]My[/name_f] vote is yes, let that stop you. I would go with
[name_u]Leon[/name_u]
[name_u]Luca[/name_u]
[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]
[name_u]Linden[/name_u]
[name_u]Leo[/name_u]
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m]
[name_u]Larkin[/name_u]
[name_m]Linus[/name_m]
[name_u]Landry[/name_u]
[name_u]Lowell[/name_u]
[name_u]Liam[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] is beautiful I wouldn’t let the popularity stop me if I really liked the name, do what feels right for you
I love [name_u]Liam[/name_u]! It is super popular, but that’s because it’s a great name. It sounds really pleasant said out loud. It looks nice and simple & works well at every age. It’s smart and kind and a little sporty. I have a thirteen year old nephew named [name_u]Liam[/name_u] (whose five younger siblings have way less common names than him) and he’s such a great kid. I’m a tad biased, maybe! But honestly, I don’t hear [name_u]Liam[/name_u] that much. I would say for sure that I meet more little [name_m]Milas[/name_m] (which is lovely too.) It’s really up to you about how annoyed you’d be to have another [name_u]Liam[/name_u] or two in his class at school vs. how much you truly love the name for your son. By the way, [name_u]Liam[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] is charming.
I would normally turn and run the other way from a top ten name but I can’t help be intrigued by your story.
It’s actually almost too good to refuse [name_f]Mila[/name_f] and anagram [name_u]Liam[/name_u] as siblings because you didn’t do that on purpose, it’s just your favourite, and that’s super sweet. A comical, accidental and too-good-to-be-true kinda story to tell them about their names.
I also love the idea of longer form [name_u]William[/name_u] and using [name_u]Liam[/name_u] as a nickname because [name_u]William[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] W—- has some serious superhero vibes, like straight out of a comic book. And using [name_u]Liam[/name_u] still ties into [name_f]Mila[/name_f].
This also breaks the pattern obligation for a potential third baby.
If you chose not to go with [name_u]Liam[/name_u] because of the matchy-matchy then I’d say you at least have to go with an L name for continuing the family theme. It’s too good to resist!
I think [name_u]Liam[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] is dreamy, and perfect with [name_f]Mila[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f], and perfect with his parents’ names. I think the popularity is not a good enough argument to let this pass you by.
If it’s any consolation, I know only one [name_u]Liam[/name_u], and it’s a distant acquaintance’s kid. None of my two kids’ friends or contemporaries that we’ve run across so far.
[name_u]Liam[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] is super amazing and all around perfect. I love that both kids would share initials with mom and dad , and the anagram !
I think the forethought and connections are amazing
Seems like the other names you’ve considered are already pretty popular, so I don’t see how [name_u]Liam[/name_u] would be any different, and I like the Idea of your children having the same initials as you and your Husband.
I myself would not choose popular names, but that’s just me. You mention you also had a popular name growing up, you know the experience. If you really like it, go for it!
[name_u]Liam[/name_u] is a beautiful, strong name and not that popular if you consider it over time and in historical context (don’t let the current ranking stop you). I love it with [name_f]Mila[/name_f]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you plan to have more children?
I have considered this because our top name (if we’re lucky enough to get to use it on a child some day) charts 1-2 in my country and that does bother me…But, I think I’d go ahead and use it! One thing that helped me was to look up the actual number of babies given that name each year—top names represent a much smaller percent of the total population these days!
I think given the links to your names and the fact that only popularity is holding you back, you should go for it!
I think you should choose the name you like best regardless of popularity. [name_u]Liam[/name_u] [name_u]Walter[/name_u] is such a great name & I think the shared initials with your name & the anagram with [name_f]Mila[/name_f] makes it even better.
There are not popular names nowadays in the same way that there was 30 years ago. In 2021, [name_u]Liam[/name_u] was the #1 boys name and accounted for 1.09% of all male births. [name_u]William[/name_u] was ranked #6 and accounted for 0.65% of all male births. Let’s suppose that about half of those William’s go by [name_u]Liam[/name_u] - this would mean that about 1.40% of all boys named in 2021 go by [name_u]Liam[/name_u].
Now let’s use [name_u]Michael[/name_u] as a comparison (because it was #1 for SO LONG and also because that’s your husband’s name). [name_u]Michael[/name_u] was given to:
3.70% of all male births in 1980
3.37% of all male births in 1985
3.03% of all male births in 1990
[name_u]Michael[/name_u] was given 3x as frequently (or more!) in 1980-1990 than [name_u]Liam[/name_u] was given in 2021 (standalone name).
[name_u]Michael[/name_u] was given 2x (or more!) in 1980-1990 than the approx 1.40% of boys in 2021 going by [name_u]Liam[/name_u].
Basically, a boy named [name_u]Liam[/name_u] today could reasonably expect to share his name with about half as many of his peers than you husband.
So after all that math, I’d say to go for it!
PS I’m a [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] from the 90s and having a common name never bothered me either.
if you love liam, use it. i love the link between brother and sister—not too obvious when you first learn their names, but super cute once you see them written! i think it’s pretentious for other people to tell each other what names they should and shouldn’t use on the basis of popularity
I wouldn’t let the popularity stop me if I really liked the name, do what feels right for you 
