What are the Chances?: Baby, er... Fetus Names

It's something I've feared a long while... Giving my baby the most common name in the class. In the fourth grade I remember there being 5 other Jennifer's in the class. That's when I developed the nickname "Jenn" while others were called "Jenny" (a name I refuse to answer to). When it comes to baby names, I'm pretty sure we're covered with unique but classy, cute names. I've only shared them with a select few friends, and I haven't even told my parents.

I thought we had an agreement not to tell anyone... My husband swore me to secrecy but recently told me he told his mom our names. So I'm ALMOST ready to spill the beans myself, but not quite.

I flipped through baby books to see where our top choices fit in the rankings. Neither our boy choice nor the girl choice was listed in the book. Great... They aren't in the top 600! Portions of their names were ranked in the 300s and 500s, but not the full name. I think we're safe... I think our children won't have to face the same fate we did in school unsure every time we heard our name called if it was REALLY us they wanted. No... I think they're safe. But as for my little fetus, it's a different story.

I thought I was somewhat unique by calling my little baby with the unknown gender at the moment Spawn or Spawnie... But my friend from Bellyitch showed me it's on the list of "Popular Fetus Names" on About.com.

1. Cletus the Fetus
2. Bean (and variations jelly bean and baby bean)
3. Spawn
4. Thumper
5. Peanut
6. Bump
7. Spud
8. Baby
9. Octopus
10. Junior

Ok first off.. Who calls their baby Octopus? I know they kind of have little nubs at first, but not eight of them!

But anyway, Spawn, ranked #3, Who would have thought? Granted the "ie" isn't picked up by most people but I'm still quite surprised so many people decide to call their growing babies Spawn.

I guess I'm not as weird as I thought, but part of me is a little disappointed by that.

Did you have a nickname for your baby before you knew the gender? Or do you have one planned? Is it on the list?

Does your child have a popular name or are you as worried as I am about your child having a very common name?