Oh no...

[jrawson]

As you might know we are having some troubles with boys names. I just looked at the popularity charts for 2011 and realized that ALL of our favorites in the top 1000 gained popularity last year, some of the quite a lot. The only names I'm not sure about is Cato (but I' sure it gained popularity, thank you Hunger Games), Linus, Tylon and Viggo since neither of them are in the top 1000.

Do you think these names are too popular? How much should I care about the popularity? Our son's name is Max and before he was born I was sure we weren't going to use names in at least the top 100. He's born 2010 and that year Max ranked #98. Some of the names we are considering now is a lot more popular than that...

Anyway, these are the names and some of my thoughts. I would love some feedback on them!

Declan: ranked 177 (+97). How long will it take for it to get to the top 100? Will it get there, perhaps even next year? How many Declan's do you know?
Elijah - so this is very popular, it ranked 13 (+5). I love it, but is 13 way to popular? Top 10 next year??
Elliot - I like this a lot too, and it's not as common as Elijah (ranked 272, +29) but its still gaining popularity...
Eli - I love it on its own, and as a nickname. It ranked #58 (+7). But there's probably a lot more Eli's out there. I guess there's plenty of Elijah's with the nickname Eli...
Henry - I'm not even sure I want to use this. It gained popularity, and was ranked #57. Do you think Henry is boring?
Kyler - I think there was a Kyler boom a few years ago, but I'm not too worried about its popularity (#252). But how does it sound on a baby? A child, a teen, an adult?
Liam - I know a lot of people like this with our son's name, but I can't seem to get behind how popular it is (#15, with +15 last year). How many do you actually know? And do you think it's entering the top 10 next year?
Lucas - I'm not sure how well this works with Max, and it's very popular (#29) but I still like it and it sounds perfectly fine with our long surname. What about the nickname Luke, do you think it's unavoidable?
Leo - I really like the feel of this name, but it's still gaining popularity (+25 which ranked it at #167). I fear it might enter top 100 within the next 3 years..
Milo - Again, people seems to like it with Max. But maybe it's too cutesy with Max and Milo? And it was +60...
Rylan - Pretty much the same as Kyler, only this is more popular and its gaining more popularity. It was #146 last year (+37) so I think there's a pretty good chance it might move into top 100 within 1-2 years.

And then there's the ones that didn't make it to the top 1000. Cato, will everyone think we named him that because of the Hunger Games? Will mostly teens think this, or adults as well? I haven't seen the hunger Games, nor read the book. And in a few years time, do you think the hunger games will still be remembered?

Thanks in advance.
I didn't have any idea how difficult it could be naming a baby, it was SO easy last time, and we don't have any problems with girls names...

[lauraj88]

You have some great names to choose from. I like Leo and Viggo the best. If you're worried about popularity, try using Leo as a nickname for something left-of-centre, like Leopold, Leonardo or Napoleon. That way, you get the name you want with the originality you desire.

Hope that helps - and congratulations!!
L xx

[peppersprout]

I love Leo; it might be popular but I like lauraj88's suggestion to make it the nickname for a longer name. And there's always Theo.

Kyler was popular in the 90s for kids so people might think your son is older than he is. Which at first would be good on resumes when he's young, but bad when he's older. Also, I don't think it's a name that ages well. What about Lyle or Miles?

Viggo is handsome, but it does remind me of Viggo Mortenson which isn't a bad thing. He's just the only person I've ever known with that name.

I adore Linus. I wish that I could name my future son that, but hubby says no. I don't think this name will zoom to popularity any time soon.

I know so many Elijahs. What about Elias? Isaias? Ephraim? Ellis?

Liam. I have a baby cousin named Liam as well as countless children of acquaintances. What about Leon? Luca? Loren?

More suggestions: Hugo, Desmond, Oliver, Bram, Lachlan, Leif, Caspar, George

[lis09]

I love a lot of these names too. Have you checked popularity by state?
Declan- I don't know anyone with this name. I think it's very cool. It could get more popular due to the tv show Revenge.
Eli, Elijah and Elliot- Love these names. I prefer Eli to Elijah. Elliot could have the nickname Eli or Leo because it contains the sound. The name Silas seems to be getting more popular so I think there will be a rise in popularity of Elias too. I think Max and Elliot sound really good together.
Henry- Love it and would like to use it (family name) but not if there are a bejillion little ones with the name. No, I don't think it's boring. I do wonder why it's become so popular. Is there a pop culture thing I am missing?
Kyler- Skyler with out an s. I can't see anything else. I love the nickname Ky. Malakai or Kyran could get you the nickname too.
Viggo- Cool, uncommon, strong
Linus- Great Peanuts character but I don't like it for a real child. Reminds me of sinus. No nickname to fall back on.
Tylon- I think of Tylenol.
Cato - Kind of cool but reminds me of Catos clothing chain. I don't like it much with Max
Milo- Sounds great w/ Max and no I don't think it is too cutesy.

[smash12]

[QUOTE=lis09;1483115]I love a lot of these names too. Have you checked popularity by state?
Declan- I don't know anyone with this name. I think it's very cool. It could get more popular due to the tv show Revenge.
QUOTE]

I don't know if Revenge will help it's popularity. Declan was a worthless character who was hated by most fans.