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Could you you use a nearly totally unique name?

93 replies

AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:21

I've thought of a girls name I really like. It is used as a surname, and is not on the 2011 baby name charts for England and Wales at all, but I googled it and found details of one person - a writer - with this name so it is 'out there'.

The name is gorgeous but I don't know whether I'm brave enough to use it! It sounds like a first name, can be shortened to a reasonably popular diminutive and I don't know why more people haven't used it, but I can imagine myself going to mother and baby groups, introducing my baby and being met with blank looks. There is a certain comfort in using a name that dozens of people have used before you.

Could you use a name like this?

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Pendipidy · 30/11/2012 10:24

you are going to have to tell us what the name is! don't worry, i doubt a million mn ers. are you going to beat you to it...

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DawnOfTheDee · 30/11/2012 10:25

Need to know what it is Alex....

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BunnyLebowski · 30/11/2012 10:25

We cannot pass comment before hearing the name!

Ah go on, go on, go on!

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NotInMyDay · 30/11/2012 10:26

It utterly depends on the name. You are going to get multiple requests to spill Grin

So... spill...

I used to pull a cats bum face at 'our there' names but it really is more common now to be a bit original. An 'out there' name is preferable to a 'normal' name with a stupid spelling IMHO.

Spill!

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 30/11/2012 10:26

I would use a unique name as long as I couldn`t imagine any horrific derivatives or the initials didnt spell something odd.

I order for a true opinion you will have to share the name.

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NotInMyDay · 30/11/2012 10:27

Also my DD's name used to be an English surname before it was a girl's first name.

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goralka · 30/11/2012 10:27

how can a name be 'nearly totally unique' - it is either unique or it isn't!
c'mon, tell us what it is!

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AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:30

Ah, sod it - the name is Bettany (could be shortened to Betty or Betsy).

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amck5700 · 30/11/2012 10:31

Just because there is only one coming up on google doesn't mean to say that only one person has it and don't the england and wales lists only give you names that over 3 people have used?

Wouldn't bother me, my son has a rare-ish spelling of an uncommon name - kids don't bat an eyelid, adults get used to it and the name becomes them.

If you like it and it sounds nice then I would use it.

I'd also love to know what it is and wouldn't steal it, my baby days are past now.

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 30/11/2012 10:32

Hmmm...I.forsee a lot of "No, not Bethany, Bettany. No....BETTany"

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AlphaBeta82 · 30/11/2012 10:32

My son is called Iden and I have a game to try and find it in name books etc! i love the fact it unique. Everyone thought it was unusual but are used to it now. Go for it!!

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BunnyLebowski · 30/11/2012 10:32

As in Paul?? Confused

Nope. It kinda sounds like a Victorian gentleman's name. Not very feminine.

Or Bethany said incorrectly.

But Betty and Betsy are both fab. Is Elizabeth an option?

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 30/11/2012 10:33

Just got for Betty or Betsy.

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seeker · 30/11/2012 10:33

The only problem i can see is that people will mishear Bethany. Particularly when she's little and if she has a lisp!

And I think you'd have to love Bet and Betty.

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NotInMyDay · 30/11/2012 10:34

I predict years of this:

Stranger: Hello. What's your name?
Your DD: Bettany
Stranger: Bethany?
Your DD: No. BeTTany!!!

If you can cope with that then go ahead. It's a pretty sounding name.

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SavoyCabbage · 30/11/2012 10:34

Elizabeth is a cracking name.

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NotInMyDay · 30/11/2012 10:34

X post. Stupid slow fingers Grin

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AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:35

I like Elizabeth but it's one of the most common women's names ever! I would like to be a little more original if I can.

The Bethany/Bettany thing had occurred to me.

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 30/11/2012 10:37

It's.common for a reason.

Look at names on last years list that have 20 or less - very rare but still.not totally unheard of.

There were 13 girls born last year with the same name as dd (sorry 12 as she was one of them).

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AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:37

Betty and Betsy just strike me more as nicknames? I'd like a more 'proper' sounding name to go on the birth certificate.

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HullyEastergully · 30/11/2012 10:37

Something can't be "nearly" unique. It either is or it isn't. And neither do you need "totally."

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DawnOfTheDee · 30/11/2012 10:38

Oooh I quite like Bettany. Unusual but not too out there. I'd go for it OP. Smile

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 30/11/2012 10:38

Hmm...well, i'm in the camp of putting on the BC the name you will use. DDs name is a potential NN for two longer names, both of which I don't like.and would never use but I love the nn.

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akaemmafrost · 30/11/2012 10:40

I like it.

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AlexanderS · 30/11/2012 10:40

Regarding Bettany/Bethany and the possibility of them getting mixed up, when you think about it this is a possibility with lots of names. Rosalyn and Rosalind, just one example of the top of my head.

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