Would you tell your friend that their choice of baby name is common?

 

Picking out the perfect name for your little one is tough.

Some parents prefer more unique names, while others are after more classic monikers. Either way, family and friends can be a great source of opinions on the topic: after all, it's a big decision - it's definitely worth checking that there isn't anything 'off' or worrisome about the name. However, one mum has turned to the internet for advice after her friend told her what she was planning on calling her baby. She explained that her friend is expecting her first child later this year, and was after a unique name for her future daughter. She wrote on Mumsnet:

"As I’m massively interested in baby names I asked her if she had anything in mind. She said she wanted something unique and is planning on using Aurora. "I said that Aurora is a gorgeous name, but has risen hugely in popularity over the last few years and is now in the top hundred. "My friend seemed annoyed with this and told me that it is a very uncommon name with only a few born each year, so I just changed the subject."

The woman wondered if she was wrong to have told her friend "how popular the name is", adding:

"I wouldn’t have said anything bad about the name itself, but l didn’t want her to regret her choice later, because she didn’t know about the sudden spike in popularity."

Some people felt that the original poster was in the right, as her friend said she had chosen the name for its uniqueness. One person pointed out:

"Since she specifically said she'd chosen it because of its uniqueness, I don't think it was massively unreasonable of you to mention it. "If she'd just said she liked it and didn't mention uniqueness being a factor, and you'd said 'oh but its becoming more common now, maybe you should pick something else' then I think that would've been more rude."

Another person added:

"If it’s important to her that it’s unique then it’s worth her knowing it’s popular surely?"

Others felt that the woman should have "smiled and nodded" when her friend was talking about the name -ultimately that she should've been more supportive. Someone commented:

"You upset her when talking baby names you smile, nod and make reassuring noises no actual opinions."

A different person added:

"It would’ve probably been easiest to smile and nod."

In 2017, the name Aurora was ranked within the top 250 names for baby girls in Ireland. At number 241, 20 babies were registered with the name.