"Protecting" your favorite names from "stealers"

[retrodancekitty.livejournal.com]

I know names are not property and there's not really such a thing as "stealing", hence the quotation marks

Let's say you have your favorite names picked out to for your kids, although the reality of having kids might lie several years ahead. Let's also say that you wouldn't be comfortable if someone close to you (family, friends, etc.) ended up using the same name as you.

I've been thinking and haven't been able to decide: on one hand, I believe in not telling anyone so as not to give anyone "ideas", leading them to use the names before you, if they get the chance first; on the other hand, I'm beginning to think maybe there are advantages in letting people know, so that you get to "call" the names.
In the first case, there's the chance someone will autonomously think up the same name as you, and if they get to use first, you can't come out then to say "but that was the name I was planning to use".
In the second case, you get to establish your "name territory", but it still might inspire someone who doesn't see the problem in using the same name as you.

Which of these strategies do you think works best?
Does it make a difference if the names you've picked are on the less common side of the spectrum, possibly affecting the chances that someone else might want to use them?

Comments

[giveitfullheart.livejournal.com]

My taste changed sooo much that I wouldn't bother mentioning any names until I was either trying to conceive or pregnant. At that point, I always mention the names we're thinking about because people ask. I do like common names though so I guess I'm less concerned with other people using them :-P