popularity question

[ilovehounds.livejournal.com]

All of the online lists and books about the most popular names for babies lead me to wonder...
Do you think most people look at those lists to figure out what to name their babies or what NOT to name their babies?

For me, it would be a list of names to avoid!

Comments

[colin-chaotic.livejournal.com]

Thing is, in the past the names on the top 100 list? Used to be really common. Now, the names at the top are about half as common, or less, than before, and get to the top simply because they're spelled correctly, not yoonikly.

I pick the names I like, I don't actually look them up on any list. It's like how people absolutely love a band, then they realize that everybody else does too, but they're obviously superior to everyone else so they don't like the band anymore.

(Sorry, I'm not trying to attack anyone with that, it's just a little bit of a hot button issue with me. If you don't want your kids names to be on the top whatever list, it's entirely your choice.)

[elemmennope.livejournal.com]

I understand what you're saying, I get really irritated with love-to-hate-mentality over bands and movies etc too. Everyone likes to be the first who was into something, and then the first to declare it old news, not worth their time anymore, looking down on anyone who would like any kind of popular music.

The thing is with names, it's about more than that. There is a real practical reason to desire an uncommon name for your child. At least for me there is; I'm not interested in being pretentious about my choices. I just think a name serves a purpose, and that is to identify a single person without confusion. You have a classroom with multiple Emma and Ethans -- I see those names as failing their primary purpose.

Hahaha, my own hot button issue. Anyway, I'm just saying I see your point, but this is why I don't agree.