Would you choose a baby name you know most people dislike?

[BisB]

We're considering giving our daughter a name that we already know is going to be almost universally disliked. It's a very uncommon name (don't think there have been any registered in the UK). We both think it's pretty, and it has (religious) meaning for us. Our other children have more common names that are generally liked by the majority of people. We have saved this name prior to this baby because I haven't been brave enough to use it. DH really wants to just go for it. He couldn't care less about what other people think, but I am more concerned that they're going to be cruel and judgemental and think that we were trying too hard to be "unique" (which isn't our intention). I would like to avoid saying the name on this thread because I am looking for opinions on the situation rather than opinions on the name itself. What would you do?

RC.

Or when she gets a wee bit older will it make her sad to have this name ?

My first thought was the band!

I think it sounds quite pretty. I think there are too many downsides to actually pick it, though. Especially as your other children have more "normal" names. I can imagine wee Naz growing up quite resentful about that.

What I would never do is use an unconventional spelling, as to inflict a child a lifetime of having to correct people about how their name is spelt is unkind.

I personally would be a bit squeamish about any name that starts with the letters „Naz“… you just need to add an i to end up with an entirely unsuitable and unpleasant nickname.

Nazareth is unusual and I personally don’t like this as a name. But it wouldn’t be unconscionable imo!

You might also like Eden and Galilee/Galilaea.

not a name. don't do it.

It wouldnt be my first choice, but I wouldnt judge anyone who did, or even think much of it tbh. I did think it was odd that you only mentioned people judging or being cruel to you though, perhaps you might want to think about how she might feel.

I definitely wouldn't choose a name which I believed "most people disliked". Why inflict that on your child?

The more I say it it loud the more I like it but its a boys name to me.

I quite like but agree with PPs that it sounds masculine.

I knew a Nazareth about 40 years ago when I was a young teenager! I thought it was beautiful then and beautiful now!

That’s so funny, I know a few Esthers and I never thought that much about it. I wouldn’t have thought it was a Marmite name!

I think it’s lovely to have a name that everyone is familiar with but that still isn’t that common IYSWIM.

If you’re nervous about it
Imagine how your child would feel?

that’s cruel.

and I don’t like the name for obvious reasons.
sorry.

What about Nazanin?

Agree, I've always liked the name Esther and am surprised it seems disliked!

Biblical names are popular nowadays (Noah, etc) so I can't see why Esther should seem odd.

It isn't awful Op, and the religious connotation isn't a problem for me.

It's just, is this actually a girls name or are you doing a Brooklyn? I'm not a great fan of place names as names.

Esther is a beautiful name

Don’t do it! It’s cruel.

I like it as a word but not a girl’s name. I don’t think it’s pretty at all… I think it sounds quite harsh.

Like a couple of PPs I also immediately thought of the hard rock band from the 1970s (they’re from my town, and my granny knew one of them!)

Also immediately thought of Nazi as a possible shortening which is not ideal.

"Things are really cool in Nazareth..."

It would be a big name to wear as an adult atheist, if that is what she ends up being. Give her the most standard, top-five, popular middle name you can think of so that she has the choice of going by this as an adult if she wishes.

Did you just give me a Nativity! ear worm?? Thanks!😃

Just the ticket for the first day of July!

Alas, I gave birth to a Christmas lover who insists (despite now being a teenager) on starting the festive season with a family viewing of The Christmas Chronicles every July! He also has a soft spot for Deck the Halls, Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, and Nativity! 1 and 2! Shoot me now, but I could probably put a tea towel on my head and do all the songs from Nativity!😫

I actually love the name Felix! Gorgeous name. Also very popular and traditional in Spain.

Anyway OP - try testing the name out, give it as a name for an order in Starbucks (or similar) where the name will be called out, order packages to the house under this name, see how you feel seeing it used in the real world.

And yes I would, in answer to your question. If it's got beautiful meaning to you, you love it and you don't think you're setting DC up for obvious bullying or ridicule, then go for it.

The obvious shortening, Naz, is an Urdu ( I think) name, which might prove confusing…