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?

I remember, a few years ago, being in a play park with the junior members of the family. A parent yelled "Leopold!" (not the real name, it was much more uncommon) Everyone looked up, wondering whether a child or a dog would come running. When a little boy ran up to the parent, there was a lot of side eye, barely hidden smirks etc from the parents in the park

Unfortunately, even though I like the sound of the word Nazareth, I think you and your child run the risk of the above scenario.

Nazareth is actually really cute she could always have a more common name as a nickname like Zara, I think go for it

Honestly, I think that says more about the people in the park. I mean, clearly we should all just go with Jack and Sophie.

That’s such a daft thing to say. There are a million names. It’s not a choice between Jack and Mahershalalhashbaz.(genuine biblical name, by the way-although I may have misspelled it. Presumably never used for anyone except Ezekiel’s poor son)

No I wouldn’t.
If anything it sounds like a man’s name. People will assume before meeting her that she is a man.
It is far too religious. Imagine being an atheist with a name like that,
My mind immediately went to Jesus.
See point above. She will always be asked are your parents devout Christian’s.
Its just not nice.

I really like it.

Oh, Nazareth is beautiful!
I’m surprised it hasn’t become a popular name, maybe you’d start a trend!

I worked with a Spanish woman called Nazareth. I thought it was really pretty, actually - it flows well & sounds…cheerful?

She did inevitably get Naz, but that’s quite cool.

There was a 70s rock band called Nazareth who were quite successful, but I don’t think they had any horribly embarrassing hits…

I would totally go for it. Nothing wrong with a faith based name, or there wouldn’t be millions of Marys, Mohameds & Samuels all over the world.

We chose a name that was in the family a couple of generations back. Then became a trendy name with 'bad boy' reputations. It's loathed on MN. I don't care. I still love it and Ds has never been a bad boy.

I'm Catholic and think that's a very cool name!

I don’t hate it but it sounds male to me

I quite like that! It will definitely be shortened to Naz by your child because I can safely say he will hate it 🤷🏻‍♀️