My husband and I both like the names [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] for our son (due in [name_u]March[/name_u]). NameBerry’s rankings have both names ranked in the top 15. We want something classic, timeless–but also not a name that every kid in his class will have!
Did I not realize that these two names are terribly popular?
[name_m]How[/name_m] are the rankings determined?
Should I start over?
No, please don’t start over! [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] and [name_m]Henry[/name_m] are classics!
I think the Nameberry rankings are what people search for, whereas the US rankings are by the number of actual births for that name in the US. So [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is pretty popular in the US, but [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] not as much. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is definitely a classic, but he would know some other Henries. [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] looks like it is pretty classic too–was popular in 1880 and never totally dropped off.
From what I understand, the Nameberry rankings are based on how many visitors a name’s page get, not on real-life name data like birth announcements. This explains why [name_f]Khaleesi[/name_f] ranks so highly. I’d recommend looking at your country’s national or regional statistics to determine [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Oscar[/name_m]'s real popularity.
I hear of a lot of babies named [name_m]Henry[/name_m] but no Oscars. Both are great names and I would suggest using what you love - but I always have the same concern picking names! Congrats, btw 
Both are lovely names, I believe [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is being used quite a bit lately but I don’t think I’d call it “trendy” per se.
I definitely recommend that you look at the actual birth records in your county, and state, if available. If you’re in the U.S., you can view all the top 100 names by state right on the SSA site (Popular Names by State) or download a list of all the names given to more than 5 children (Popular Baby Names).
The Nameberry rankings measure the number of clicks on each page (I believe they count 1 IP address visiting just once, or something like that), but as others have said, this can be weighted towards names that are popular in pop culture but not as actual baby names. Also, once names are in the top 10 or so, they are self-reinforcing. Nameberry rankings are also worldwide, as far as I understand. So they don’t really indicate name popularity, though some popular names on Nameberry are also popular in real life.
As for [name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] - where I live ([name_m]New[/name_m] [name_m]York[/name_m] City), [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is definitely very popular and [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] is less popular but still familiar. I read a joke somewhere once that half the boys in NYC are named [name_m]Henry[/name_m] or [name_m]Jack[/name_m] and there’s definitely some (exaggerated) truth there. But I would definitely use your local data over any anecdotes about name usage statistics.
I love the name [name_m]Henry[/name_m] so much, but i feel like it’s extremely popular right now. I know of a lot of toddler boys named [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] is equally adorable and I haven’t heard any babies with that name!
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] and [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] are both fine names.
Same. I think [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is more currently on trend (in the US). [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] may be a nameberry fave but I haven’t met one [name_m]IRL[/name_m].