This will probably look like a mini rant rather than a question so I apologize in advance.
When my husband and I started getting serious and had the “will we have kids” talk, he told me he always liked the name [name_u]Noah[/name_u] for a boy. I loved the name. Its strong, simple, sounds good and I have never meet a [name_u]Noah[/name_u] I didn’t like.
Fast forward to today (many, many years later lol) and we are currently TTC for our first and probably only child. We have a 50/50 chance of having a boy and [name_u]Noah[/name_u] is now literally the most common name for a boy. The #1 most used name out there. It probably shouldn’t change how I feel about the name but it does!
Years ago during the huge [name_u]Jayden[/name_u] craze, I cringed when my cousin named her son that. He now has 5 other boys in his grade with that name and 2 girls and there are only about 120 kids in his year. Then again when [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] was on the rise she named her daughter that. She has 3 classmates with the same name. I was like “Why would you knowingly give them the same name as everyone else!?!”
But now I get it! [name_m]How[/name_m] do I break it to my husband, who has always loved the name [name_u]Noah[/name_u], that it is no longer “good enough” for our potential kid?
Growing up I had 4 friends all named [name_f]Brianna[/name_f] in my grade and they all tried to go by [name_f]Brie[/name_f]. Our whole adolescent lives we had to say [name_f]Brianna[/name_f] B or [name_f]Brianna[/name_f] S. Etc. I know they hated it because they were adamant about telling everyone. I don’t want to do that to my child.
Obviously it isn’t an issue yet, but I don’t want to wait until I am pregnant and then be like “Nope, no more [name_u]Noah[/name_u] for you.”
Please tell me how to ease him out of this! I need some solid advice from someone who has been here and done this before.
You just did a great job of explaining your thoughts to us so you are well on your way to knowing what to say to your husband. He may not realize the popularity of [name_u]Noah[/name_u] but after learning of it, he may feel the same way! [name_u]Noah[/name_u] is a lovely name but I understand with it being SO popular, it has lost its shine for you. Good luck!
Popularity is totally legitimate thing to consider when picking a name, and your taste is allowed to change over time, too. I vetoed my husband’s favorite names and he vetoed my own #1 pick I’d loved for years. In retrospect, I’m glad we discussed our fave names early enough that I didn’t start calling the baby by my #1 name in my head for 9 months before finding out he hated it. I was disappointed at first, but we still found a name we both liked and now I can’t image our son called anything else. It’ll be okay – you have lots of time to think up new options and find another name that feels right.
Maybe suggest [name_u]Noah[/name_u] as a middle name? We ended up using one name I liked in the middle spot because we couldn’t use it as a first. I agree about finding some similar backup names to bring with you. What about [name_m]Nolan[/name_m] or [name_m]Nathan[/name_m]?
I agree with the other posters, popularity is a legitimate thing to be concerned over. I once got annoyed when another [name_m]Eric[/name_m] was in my class, and it only happened once, imagine if there were 3 kids with the same name in your class! [name_m]How[/name_m] about explaining to your husband why choosing a popular name isn’t the best idea? Perhaps using a name similar to [name_u]Noah[/name_u] could help? It could either be a name that sounds similar or has a similar vibe.
Personally, I think you should take a look at [name_m]Noam[/name_m] due to its similarity to [name_u]Noah[/name_u] and [name_u]Ira[/name_u] due to its biblical status, -a ending, and soft but strong quality that it shares with [name_u]Noah[/name_u].
I think just explaining exactly what you wrote here to him is the best way to approach the situation – surely he would understand your hesitations, as popularity is a legitimate concern. Also, you say that you had this conversation about [name_u]Noah[/name_u] with him many years ago, so maybe he’s also changed his mind on it since then, possibly even for a similar reason.
I think too, that perhaps using your beloved [name_u]Noah[/name_u] in the middle for this baby would be a nice idea – able to use the name you both love so much, but give the baby a less common first to go by.
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement! I also really love the name [name_m]Nathan[/name_m] that someone suggested but there were lots of great ideas. I really like the idea of [name_u]Noah[/name_u] as a middle name, that way he doesn’t feel like his choice is completely left out.
