Top 100 baby names--do you ignore the list, avoid names on the list, or choose from it?

when deciding on a name, did you (or would you) ignore the "top 100 baby names" lists, eliminate any names that were included on the list regardless of how much you liked them, or would you choose a name specifically from the list? why?|||None of the above. ;)





I definitely like to have all the "facts" when considering a name, but I wouldn't let the numbers alone influence my decision.





Rather, I tend to consider current AND past usage ... after all, a sudden jump from a rather-obscure figure to something as "mild" as the 200-300 range can indicate a fairly obvious trend, top 100 or not. Likewise, a steadily-popular but classic and versatile choice, such as Elizabeth (with dozens of nickname options), Mary or Evelyn (far less common than they've been in the past, despite technically being in the top 100) can still seem refreshing, timeless choices, not at all trendy or overused.





So really, I would look at a name on a case by case basis. Just because it's a top 100 name doesn't make it an inherently bad choice. Along those same lines, there are plenty of names NOT among those 100 that still feel twice as common as some that are, simply because they DO fit in with a larger trend (the Aidan names, for example) or are otherwise trendy and therefore overused by association.





So while I tend to lean toward less common options myself, I definitely wouldn't -- and haven't! -- ruled out a name based on numbers alone. In fact, two of our daughters HAVE a top 100 name as a first or middle, and the other two have (or will have) first names not even among the top 1000, but middle names in the 250 to 350 range. :)





After all, it'd be a shame to avoid a name you truly love simply because it's a classically popular choice. Definitely something that should be looked at on an individual basis.|||My husband and I chose names that we liked and if it did happen to turn up on the top 100, it was coincidence. Audrey (our oldest) was my husband's choice, Nicholas (our son) was my choice, and Jordan was our choice (our younger daughter).|||ignore|||we avoided any names in the top 20 because I always hated being one of ten Jessica's in all my classes (Jessica was the number one name for most of the 80's).


And I didn't really use the list for ideas, we came up with ideas on our own. But I also didn't avoid a name just because it was on the list, as long as it wasn't at the top.|||I go with names I like. I didn't even use the list when naming my daughters; Amanda Lee, Elizabeth Paige, Rylee Dakota, Brooklyn Maria and Cheyenne Eden (twins). But good luck on choosing.|||To be avoided unless I'm totally in love with a name.|||I would ignore it. If I like a particular name, I'm gonna use it, regardless.|||avoid it, I like unique names...I'm a teacher and I hate having 3 of the same names in the room, it's annoying.|||Not a soon to be parent, but just for kicks I browsed through the list and noticed something. 10-15 years ago the majority of names on that list were considered unique, no doubt the reason they were used.





Just a thought: maybe in 10-15 years from now all the names we think are unique will also end up on that list.





EDIT: I think irishmommy is right, I have one of those popular "variation" names, Christine. Now, I've met about a 100,000 christina's christa's, crystal's, and christopher's in my life but in 24 years have yet to meet another Christine, I know they're out there, but i've never met one. According to my birth year, my name was in the top 10, weird huh?





Now if I could just get people to stop calling me ChristinA that'd be great, lol.|||I tried my hardest to avoid it, but the only name hubby and I agreed on turned out to be #4 that year - and now it's #2. Oh well, it's also a classic, so it's not like it's Jayden or Braedon or anything grossly trendy. Long after those are over, gone, done, finito, his name will still be around - it's biblical!|||I ignored it knowing that I was giving my son a normal but not too common name. I'm still not sure if his name is on the list, but I don't think it is.





I just checked, his first name isn't on the list, but his middle name is in the top 20-25.|||I would probably choose a more unusual name, I like names that have a good meaning and that are unheard of in my area. Regarding the 100 top names list, it can vary according to where you live so I wouldn't necessarily eliminate any names that were on it and on my list.|||I ignored it. I certainly wouldn't ever mind picking a name that was on the list (my little girl will be called Hannah, so...), but I would never deliberately choose from it. My husband and I just picked names that we liked.|||We checked the list for ideas.....we didn't care either way....we just wanted to be sure we picked a name that her school mates would have a hard time making fun of *lol*





Katherine Isabella.....My little Katie Bell.|||I would avoid the list for first names but middle names could be ok. Some of the more common names blend well as middle names but I love unique first names!|||I didn't even check the list but my 6 year old has one of the most common names out there right now: Sophia. Doesn't bother me anything; I will always think it's a gorgeous name (Her middle name is Nichole).





I just browsed and found that our potential name for baby #2 (If it's a girl) is number 39 - Julia. I don't care; We're still using that name!





Congrats and good luck!|||I try to avoid names in the top ten at all costs. Other than that it doesn't really matter. I want to add though that if one of my favorites wound up in the top ten I would use it, just none of my favorites are right now. I think loving a name is more important that how popular it is. Also, just because a name is popular nation wide doesn't mean it will be in your area or state.|||I would definitely avoid.


I love unique names!|||I avoided almost all of them, except for the very traditional ones. My children's names would be absolutely normal for the last 500 years, and perhaps for the next 500! My children are unique, so their names don't have to be.