Unusual Baby Names: Not Just for Celebrities Anymore…

How many Arlowe’s do you know? I know one.  Luckily, the Arlowe I know is adorable and she happens to be my niece. I still remember when my brother started reading off the list of potential names for their little girl. There was not an “Ashley” or “Melissa” in sight. Instead, it was “Revkah” and “Harlow” which eventually evolved into Arlowe. I gasped and balked at the names, “Aren’t you afraid she will be teased?” I asked. My name is unique as well. I’ve heard plenty of “Bridget is a gidget” in my day. (What does that even mean?) However, my brother pressed on. “No, not really. I want my daughter to be proud of her name and if some punk kid wants to make fun of her, I want her to be able to stick up for herself.” Touché, big brother.

Well according this article, my brother is not alone. The article states that “parents are choosing less common names for kids, which could suggest an emphasis on uniqueness and individualism, according to new research. Essentially, today’s kids (and later adults) will stand out from classmates. For instance, in the 1950s, the average first-grade class of 30 children would have had at least one boy named James (top name in 1950), while in 2013, six classes will be necessary to find only one Jacob, even though that was the most common boys’ name in 2007.” It’s a pretty interesting read that also gives a little history of baby naming. So, let’s discuss. Would you want your child to have a unique name or would you wander down the more traditional path? How about your own name? I’ve learned to love mine and I’m actually proud of the fact I don’t know many Bridget’s. I couldn’t imagine myself with any other name.