The popularity of Declan... is it REALLY that popular?

For several years now, I’ve loved the name [name_m]Declan[/name_m]. It was before the whole [name_u]Aidan[/name_u]/[name_m]Braden[/name_m]/[name_m]Cayden[/name_m]/[name_u]Jayden[/name_u] craze. I don’t remember where or how I discovered it, but I immediately fell in love with it. I told my husband (then boyfriend) the name and he loved it, too. Several years later when I was pregnant, it was our top pick for a boy… we ended up with our daughter, [name_f]Nora[/name_f] (another name I had loved for years).

Boy names are harder for me in general. I don’t have the same passion for them as I do for girl names. [name_m]Declan[/name_m] started losing its appeal to me - partly because I saw people commenting on it saying it was “trendy” or “just another Irish boy name ending in n.” Another reason is I think I’ve loved it for so long and it was my top, go-to name that it started feeling stale to me.

I have other boy names I like, but my husband doesn’t really like any of them all that much. I do, but nothing seems to have the staying power for me except [name_m]Declan[/name_m]. But again, it’s getting stale. For a while, I was leaning more towards [name_m]Miles[/name_m], but I’m realizing it’s really popular where I live. One of my daughter’s best friends was named [name_m]Miles[/name_m]… but then another one enrolled in her school. And then there’s a [name_m]Miles[/name_m] in her gymnastics class. Popularity is a big deal to me so it turned me off. So I’m back on [name_m]Declan[/name_m].

[name_f]My[/name_f] concern for [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is popularity and trendiness. I see it popping up more and more on naming sites, but is it really being used? I know it’s crawling up the SSA charts, but so is [name_f]Nora[/name_f]. I have yet to meet another little [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and when people learn her name, they all say, “Oh how pretty and old-fashioned! You never hear that name anymore!” I know some people must be using it somewhere, but I have yet to see if firsthand. I’m wondering if that’s the same for [name_m]Declan[/name_m].

[name_f]My[/name_f] final concern is… [name_f]Nora[/name_f] is still a pretty straightforward, familiar name. [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is not. I mean, I know they both have Irish origins but many “normal” people may not know that. So they may seem weird together…and [name_m]Declan[/name_m] may be seen as trying too hard or something.

Sorry this is long. I know I’m rambling about just one little name, but we are going to be TTC soon and if I decide ultimately that [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is off the table and we have a boy… well, it’s going to be interesting.

So, what are your thoughts on [name_m]Declan[/name_m]? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you personally know anyone named [name_m]Declan[/name_m]? If so, what age and where?

I get your worries about trendiness. [name_m]Declan[/name_m] entered the Top 1000 in the 2000s and quickly climbed into the Top 100. That’s usually a recipe for being dated in a couple of years.

HOWEVER. [name_m]Even[/name_m] tough [name_m]Declan[/name_m] had not been used in [name_u]America[/name_u] before, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t an old Irish name with plenty of history to back it up. It’s more in the vibe of [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], and [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] than [name_u]Aiden[/name_u], [name_m]Caiden[/name_m], and [name_u]Brayden[/name_u]. Yes, it was #101, but that means it was given to 0.115% of baby boys born in 2013 —*put that number in perspective. The likelihood of your son meeting another [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is hardly very high. And even if he happened to have one or two Declans in school or in gymnastics class — would that be really be a problem for him?

You seem to be a little divided —*one one hand, you don’t want him to have a popular name, yet you worry that his name is too unknown. Frankly I think [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is the perfect name for you.

[name_f]Nora[/name_f] and [name_m]Declan[/name_m] make a lovely (and logical!) Irish-inspired sibset.

I’m in Tassie, Australia, and [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is definitely an established name here. I know a handful of guys named [name_m]Declan[/name_m], ranging ages from 10-23.

Unfortunately my personal experiences with people named [name_m]Declan[/name_m] haven’t been great, all the ones I know seem to be a bit feral, so it’s put me off the name! But I can see the appeal and would love to see [name_m]Declan[/name_m] on a sweet little boy!

I’ve known 2 people named [name_m]Miles[/name_m], both were very gentle and quiet people. Aged 20-23.

I love the name [name_f]Nora[/name_f] by the way, it’s a favourite of mine :slight_smile:

Thank you for your feedback!

Ideally, I’d want my kids to always be the ONLY one in any of their classes. I had a VERY popular name for my generation ([name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]). There were about 7 of us in my grade alone… even more in the whole school. [name_m]Even[/name_m] when I got older, I always ran into girls EVERYWHERE with my same name, including at work. I have always been referred to by my first and last name. I absolutely hated it. Still do. In fact, one time in high school, a girl started threatening me online and through friends because she was told that I was harassing her little sister and leaving her nasty notes in her locker. It was another girl named [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f]! So yes, it is a big deal to me to have two Declans in school or gymnastics class. It’s exactly why I nixed [name_m]Miles[/name_m]. I’m hoping [name_f]Nora[/name_f] holds up for her too!

I have a very popular name as well so I totally get you. However, keep in mind that names vary much more now than they did 20 or 30 years ago —*it’s a question of percentage. At it’s peek, [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] was given to 1.259% of baby girls and was on the Top 20 for almost 20 years. [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is positively rare in comparison.

However, the only way to make 100% sure your son is the only one in his class is to give him a completely obscure name like [name_m]Decimus[/name_m] or Caolan. Looking at your list, [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is probably the more unusual name (except maybe and [name_m]Euan[/name_m]). [name_f]Nora[/name_f] is relatively popular (much more popular than [name_m]Declan[/name_m], if you look at numbers and keep in mind that lots of Noras are actually Eleanors and Leonoras, not to mention the Norahs, which makes actual popularity difficult to calculate) and if she never met another [name_f]Nora[/name_f] then it’s even more unlikely that [name_m]Declan[/name_m] will (unless, of course, you live in a place where [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is unusually popular). [name_m]Declan[/name_m] could always go by [name_m]Dex[/name_m] to distinguish himself from his namesakes.

I don’t think [name_m]Declan[/name_m] should be off the table for you…it’s a good, strong name. Popularity is too hard to predict. I understand not wanting him to go by [name_m]Declan[/name_m] (insert last initial here) but I think it depends on where you live. [name_f]My[/name_f] oldest daughters name ([name_u]Delaney[/name_u]) was #190 the year she was born…she actually had another [name_u]Delaney[/name_u] in her first grade class and we’ve met like three other Delaneys. On the other hand, neither of my school age children have had a [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] in their grade. They go to a relatively small school.

I only know of one [name_m]Declan[/name_m], he’s the son of a woman I went to school with. He’s around two. They live in RI (I live in OH).

Have you checked the popularity in your state? Generally if it isn’t in your state’s top 100, your child is unlikely to encounter another in their class.

I know 1 [name_m]Declan[/name_m] and he is 8years old.
I also know 1 [name_f]Nora[/name_f] and she is a newborn. I am in [name_f]Canada[/name_f]. I would say both names are pretty rare where I live.

I’ve always heard that [name_m]Declan[/name_m] is popular as well, but I haven’t met one yet. I love the name, same as you. I think you should use it if it’s your top choice. And [name_m]Declan[/name_m] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f] sound fine together. Their different but not completely different to where people would give you weird looks for having two completely different names. They kind of compliment each other and it gives you room to choose any future kids names because you won’t be stuck in one style.

[name_f]My[/name_f] nephew, who is 17 months, is [name_m]Declan[/name_m]. His little brother is [name_m]Liam[/name_m] : ) We’ve never met another [name_m]Declan[/name_m] in our area of [name_u]West[/name_u] [name_f]Florida[/name_f]; or, come to think of it, anywhere. I don’t think you should be overly concerned about popularity; I’ve questioned my brothers on the matter {top 20 names for their birth year} and they just gave me weird looks : ) I really don’t think non name-nerds notice.

Thanks everyone! [name_f]My[/name_f] mind is way more at ease about using [name_m]Declan[/name_m]. Now I’m more worried about the popularity of [name_f]Nora[/name_f]!

I’ve never met a little Declain before so I don’t think it’s THAT popular! So I don’t think you’ll have to be too worry about it : )

I definitely think it depends on area and what the styles are there. I’m in a fairly large city and I have 3 friends from high school who all named their sons [name_m]Declan[/name_m] (they don’t know each other that well). But that style is popular here: I also know a few [name_m]Ronin[/name_m]'s, a few [name_m]Nolan[/name_m]'s, etc.

[name_m]Declan[/name_m] is pretty popular in Southern [name_u]California[/name_u]. I personally know two toddlers named [name_m]Declan[/name_m]. But as previous posters have said, that wouldn’t make any difference as long as it’s not as common in your area. If you like it, you should use it.

[name_m]Just[/name_m] an additional thought… I think [name_f]Nora[/name_f] & [name_m]Milo[/name_m] sound perfect together. And since you said you liked [name_m]Miles[/name_m], but decided it’s too common, perhaps you would consider [name_m]Milo[/name_m]? I know a few [name_m]Miles[/name_m]/[name_m]Myles[/name_m], but I don’t know any [name_m]Milo[/name_m]'s. And I love that name!! [name_f]Nora[/name_f] & [name_u]Rhys[/name_u] also sound lovely together!!!

Hello! I hope my comments don’t sadden you – I just want you to have an accurate picture of what is going on in my little corner of the world.

I live in the Midwest, in Iowa’s capital city. I used to coach gymnastics at an upscale gym. I had two boys named [name_m]Declan[/name_m] in a preschool class of eight children!

I had not heard the name [name_m]Declan[/name_m] up to that point. Now, it is burned into my brain with many negative associations – I honestly fear one of the little Declans I taught might be a sociopath. He enjoyed pushing and hurting other children and watching them cry.

Those two Declans in my preschool class would be 7 or 8 years old now. I had another [name_m]Declan[/name_m] in a “tots” class not long after. Bottom line: The name seems to be popular in Iowa.

Have you considered [name_m]Kellan[/name_m] as an alternative? It has the same vibe, but it is a lot less trendy.

As for [name_f]Nora[/name_f]/[name_f]Norah[/name_f], I know three little girls with the name. Two women I went to high school with have little Noras. [name_m]Both[/name_m] are entering kindergarten this fall.

I am sorry! I hate to be the [name_f]Debbie[/name_f] Downer of this thread. But if you want to avoid popularity, I would go a different direction.

Maybe …
[name_m]Anton[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_m]Fritz[/name_m]
[name_m]Graham[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugh[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellen[/name_m]
[name_m]Leif[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] (This one is getting popular, too, I fear.)
[name_m]Samson[/name_m]
[name_m]Saul[/name_m]

I also have a very common name, [name_f]Jessica[/name_f], and that’s why I picked names not on the top one hundred list. I know one [name_m]Declan[/name_m] and he is a few months old. I hear Deaken way more often. As for [name_f]Nora[/name_f], I love it but I also know five or six. It seems like old fashioned names are making a come back and I have a feeling [name_f]Nora[/name_f] will be more popular before long.

I have only met two Declans. One is 16 and one is 7. I don’t think its too popular or it comes across as trying too hard.

I’ve just never understood how to pronounce it, having only seen this name on this particular naming website (live in South [name_u]Texas[/name_u]). And part of the reason why it can look so popular here is because Nameberry is focused on name exploration rather than the actual naming of real children, and they pull a lot of data about popularity from clicks, searches, and these forums. Which is why some way far-out names sometimes look like they’re catching on when people might just be looking at them out of sheer curiosity.

But anyway, is it “[name_f]DEE[/name_f]-clen?” “Deh-CLAN?” “Deck-[name_f]LINN[/name_f]?” If it really is becoming popular I would love to not stumble over the name if I ever meet one.

I feel like you’re describing the [name_m]Declan[/name_m]'s I mentioned above. A couple of parents, including myself, have actually switched Gymboree classes to get our kids away from a 2 year old [name_m]Declan[/name_m] who was constantly hurting other kids in every single session. And I recently heard that parents are also switching out of this [name_m]Declan[/name_m]‘s class in his new age level. Interesting to read about others’ negative associations with this name as well… Hopefully, the [name_m]Declan[/name_m]'s we know are the exceptions.