Popular or Unpopular?

[Cariethra]

I typically like to chose names that aren’t in the top 10. Even then I loved the name Lilian, and although the old fashioned spelling pushed her name into the 60’s, her nickname Lily is in the top 10.

I like the name Mason. If you really like it, ignore the top names list.

 

[Linybaby]

I have never given much thought to names being popular or unpopular. In my particular case I was expected to die at birth, as well as my mother. My father was here in the US and Mom and I in Canada where I was born 2 months prematurely. The hospital called my dad in the States and asked him what he wanted to name me. They explained they needed to do so quickly as they told him: “This baby will probably die.”

My father knew the name he wanted and told them. The phone connection was bad, and there was some linguistic issues as well. I got a name different than the one he requested.
When my mom and I had both recovered and were able to return to the States she came home and placed me on the sofa bed, telling my father: "Here is your daughter (My Name).

He replied: “Who?” She retorted: "Your daughter (NAME). This happened twice before my mom got really, really annoyed and yelled my name at him. He finally got it and realized that I had been “misnamed”. My parents decided to keep that name for me. I always figured it was God’s way of naming me.

If you keep feeling unsure of a name try sticking to Biblical names for women if a girl, and men if a boy. Trust in God to give you a name.

I am curious to what your name is…

 

[stephe1987]

Unless it’s your absolute favorite name (and has been so for a long time) I would avoid the top 10 because then your kid will be known as FirstName-LastInitial in school.

On the other hand, if you go for uncommon names, your child will be sad at the store when he or she goes to look for his or her name and can’t find it. Birthday cards, toothbrushes, pencils, keychains, etc. All personalized items will have to be on special order.

 

[IBombAtomically]

It’s been a while so I don’t remember the specifics, but I read about a study that contrasted males with common names with those with unusual names. It turned out the unusually named males were less well-off, I think in terms of incidence of mental illness or career success or some other adjustment factors. Wish I could remember! Anyway, I’d lean more common for boys.

I think, in the same study, they found higher success rates for girls with unusual names, interestingly enough.

Mason is a nice-sounding strong name, for sure! If you’re ok with meeting other Masons on the playground and in his class, go for it! The only downside is the association with the Masons, as in the whole Freemasons, Masonic Lodge, Master Mason etc. which is against Catholicism, so see how you and your husband feel about that as well. You could always pair it with a good Saints name!

 

[revert_jen]

It’s been a while so I don’t remember the specifics, but I read about a study that contrasted males with common names with those with unusual names. It turned out the unusually named males were less well-off, I think in terms of incidence of mental illness or career success or some other adjustment factors. Wish I could remember! Anyway, I’d lean more common for boys.

I think, in the same study, they found higher success rates for girls with unusual names, interestingly enough.

Interesting, but it’s important to remember that correlation is not causation. It’s possible (maybe even likely) that both (the name type and the outcomes) were caused by some third factor, like parental attitudes or something. Also before using that study for any sort of decision making, I’d want to know how big the difference in outcomes was, how exactly they matched the two groups as far as parental income, geography, church-going, and so forth were concerned, and also how unusual the unusual names were. (For example, are we just talking about names near the bottom of the top 50, or are we talking about unique names that people made up?)

Sorry, it’s just that there are a lot of studies out there, and I did a fair amount of statistics and research methods courses in college. You can make a study say anything.

(Not that I think that’s what happened in the study you’re talking about, but I can’t help thinking of these things.)

–Jen

 

[IfYouLeadMe]

I think Mason is a nice sounding name and will also sound nice when your child grows into an adult.

Just don’t go changing the spelling to “May$0nne”

 

[m_crane]

Is there a Saint named Mason? I though Catholic had to use a name ( baptismal name) having to be some derivation of a name belonging to a Saint.

 

[bernadettefaith]

I personally would not choose a popular name. My kids both have names that are common but not in the top 20.

 

[Cricket2]

I am curious to what your name is…

Cheryl. By the way, when my sister was born the hospital misspelled her name so instead of being Diana she was named Deanna. My brother was named after my father.

 

[Havard]

The only downside is the association with the Masons, as in the whole Freemasons, Masonic Lodge, Master Mason etc. which is against Catholicism, so see how you and your husband feel about that as well. You could always pair it with a good Saints name!

Mason has that association for me as well, which is why, I think, it’s hard for me to warm up to it.

 

[Kal2012]

I’m still waiting to meet a “Jennifer” or a “Michael” in my son’s age group. (He’s 5, almost 6).

Go with your gut. It really doesn’t matter what other people think.

Although I do agree with staying away from “phunk-e SpeLings.” Drives me nuts when I try to read or write someone’s name correctly.

This is a huge/sensitive topic in my area. A lot of African Americans have unique names, but there are studies that people w/normal sounding/looking names are more likely to get interviews and jobs. So, if you are a black person with the name “Jennifer”, then you’d be more likely to get an interview than if it was something uncommon. This was a huge deal in the media, given that the city of Detroit has a huge African American population.

(Don’t mean to offend people by bringing up the race topic, but I’m just telling people what I legitimately observed in the media’s reporting of this story regarding names).

I thought it was weird that the Duke and Duchess would name their kid George because most people don’t go for traditional names these days.

I’m used to people in the public eye coming up with names like “Apple” and acting like it’s the best idea ever.

Mason’s a fine name.

 

[choose_to_love]

@on_the_hill: that is so true. you have to see the baby to know if the name fits, right?

Re: only saints names: well, there will never be a “St. Mason” until or unless full names her child that, right?

We always have easier times with boys names in general, although finally picking one is sometimes tough. for the last baby, we were considering Immaculee’ for a girl - - “Immy - - Immy Mac - - when are you coming back?”

As to popularity, we chose Gianna for our oldest, having learned about Gianna Beretta Molla shortly before she arrived - - I had not run into a Gianna since college (>15 years), but soon there were Giannas everywhere, it seemed, although not sure of the actual statistical incidence.

 

[Joe_5859]

The Social Security website actually has a fun section on baby names. You can see the popularity of names from year to year. In 2012, Gianna was the 73rd most popular girl’s name.

 

[Kit15]

Unless it’s your absolute favorite name (and has been so for a long time) I would avoid the top 10 because then your kid will be known as FirstName-LastInitial in school.

On the other hand, if you go for uncommon names, your child will be sad at the store when he or she goes to look for his or her name and can’t find it. Birthday cards, toothbrushes, pencils, keychains, etc. All personalized items will have to be on special order.

I lived with the former. My sister lived with the latter. I think she suffered more than I did in childhood. Some of my oldest (but not necessarily my closest) friends still call me “First Name-Last Letter” without thinking. It’s a sign of how long we’ve really known each other.

I felt like I was in a club pr something. I joined school band and there were three of us in a flute section of about 8 girls. We bonded a little over that. I don’t think I would have been friends with them otherwise. They were a year older than me and were already very close. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve bonded over their common name since kindergarten.

Whereas I think my sister felt a little left out and weird sometimes. No one could spell her name right either. That’s annoyed her for as long as I can remember.

After a certain age it really doesn’t matter anymore.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

My children have traditional names that are not popular, but they are not unusual either. It’s what someone’s grandparents are likely to be called back in my country I have only received positive comments from people, they think it is cool to go ‘vintage’.

 

[Cathmomof6]

Ok I have always liked Mason too. We named our 4th baby Maxon (Max), and I always thought Maxon and Mason would sound good together for brothers. However, our 5th baby was a girl. We named her Maecyn Elizabeth and call her Maecy. We spelled it Maecyn so she could go by either Mae or Maecy, but so far she is all Maecy!!! We really only use her full name when she is in trouble I know a lot of people probably hate the spelling or that it could be a boys name, but I still love it. And i think it looks very feminine!! My first 2 children have more common names, and they are each 1 of 3 in their classes with the same name. Go with your gut!!!