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I feel your pain
I don't want the popularity to rule what names I love. A noble theory, but unrealistic. Either the popularity bothers you or it doesn't. If it doesn't, just use Ethan and ignore it, but worrying over it and relegating Ethan to a MN spot enveloped by other names to obscure its popularity is ineffective.The name combo I've come up with is Walter Ethan Robert, I want to call him Ethan but I thought putting the Walter first would help him not get lost in the pool of Ethan’s.1. If you're going to call him Ethan anyway, he'll still be lost in a pool of Ethans. Yelling "Ethan" on the playground will still inspire 5 replies, even if it's Walter Ethan Robert on paper.
2. Walter isn't my favorite name, but Walter Robert is a handsome, timeless combo. Ethan doesn't really flow with Walter and Robert, but I think Ethan Robert would be nice.
3. If you called him by both names as a sort of double first name, or hell, even just as a FN and MN that you call him by, I could see that working. It would distinguish him, and you'd still use Ethan, but I'm sure he'd be the only Walter Ethan or (Ethan Robert) being yelled for at the playground.What do you think? I guess what I'm getting at is if you love Ethan, just use it. Ethan is popular, and this solution just isn't a solution. Are you going to explain to his teachers and the parents of Ethan A., Ethan P., Ethan K., and Ethan G. that your Ethan (who will be called Ethan X. in class anyway to distinguish from the previously mentioned other Ethans) is different because his real first name is Walter?What would you do if a name you've loved for years suddenly was number 5 on the list?Drop it. I've lost Ava, Olivia, and Jacob that way. I'm a Jennifer, so popularity is something that I am strongly against. I would rather not use a name than accept its popularity. It's not a big issue to some, though, so it's just something you need to decide for yourself: which is the bigger issue for you - how much you love the name or how popular a name is. That's the only way you'll be able to make a decision.Also, ditto to Caroline about checking your area. I love the name Oliver, and it has been rising in popularity, but there are seriously NONE where I live. I think that's a big factor, too. Yes, with some names (like Jennifer) they are everywhere, but I guess it just depends on the name.
Edits to fix things.

What are the convulsions of a city in comparison with the insurrections of the soul?
Man is a depth still greater than the people.

This message was edited 5/13/2006, 9:59 AM

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Thank you for your input:) I guess I'll just have to not care then.
I forgot to say that also Walter really needs to be a first name because there are two other nephews in my husband's family with this for a middle name. Walter was my husbands grandfather and so far all the grandkids have wanted to honor him (includding my Hubby) by using his name. My husband wants it to be a first name for one of his sons.
But I do agree I love Ethan Robert a combo :)
I've thought about calling by his first and middle Walter Ethan, it's something that happens alot in my family anyway.Thanks again :)
You've brought alot I need to talk to my husband about and think about.Joanna“I never wanted to be different I just wanted to be me” ~BMEzine.com
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Glad to help. I like Walter with Robert, and that would be nice to honor your husband's grandfather. Good luck with your decision! :)
What are the convulsions of a city in comparison with the insurrections of the soul?
Man is a depth still greater than the people.
vote up1