What is with all the Silases?

[heydooney]

I'm breaking my "don't tell anyone yet" rule, but I have to get this out.

Our baby was named Silas pretty much from before conception. Paul and I both loved the name, uncommon but not unheard of. Biblical, strong, simple (we have a 13-letter last name). Our older son is named Kalten - from David Eddings books. Pretty unique but not bizarre, coupled with a common-er middle name, Lucas, that he can use if he doesn't like his first.

When we found out he was a boy, we immediately began referring to him as Silas in private - we even taught the name to Kalten. He calls him "Baby Wyas."

We thought not sharing our name would prevent this problem, but since the ultrasound, I've come across at least three expectant mamas planning on (or seriously considering) using the name, and one new baby called by his middle name, which of course is Silas.

Is there a new pop star, celebrity, book character, or movie character that I haven't heard of that everyone's getting this name from? Or is it like when you find out you're pregnant and suddenly you're seeing prego bellies everywhere?

I know you can never be truly unique in your name choice without getting into the "you named him what?!" category, but in my high school youth group (which was not even that big), I was one of SIX Danielles. We all went by our last names. I want my kids' names to be uncommon enough to at least not be turning their heads all the time in a crowd.

Is it really that popular or is it all in my head??

[trepsica]

Jan. 3, 2009 at 11:26 AM

i had never met another child named helena (huh-lay-nuh) and sure enough since havnig my daughter i have met two in a town of only 25,000!

[peaceandlove628]

Jan. 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM

YES!  Have you ever seen the show "weeds" about a pot-dealing suburban mom (mary louise parker)... if you haven't it is awesome, i recommend it!!!!  Anyway, her older teenage son is named Silas... I had never heard of the name but after watching the show I was thinking how much I liked it.  Either way it is still very unique, and I love it! 

[twinsplus2more]

Jan. 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM

Only Silas I know of that would fit in your question is Silas Marner.....Great book by George Eliot.

I love unique names....I have a son named Hawk and a daughter named Tarver.  Ours are family names though.

[boizmom]

Jan. 3, 2009 at 11:31 AM

I thought the same thing when we named our son Wyatt.  I had never heard anyone else name their son Wyatt.  And then after he was born I started meeting other moms and their sons named Wyatt.  "Crap!" I thought...there may be more than one Wyatt in his class when he gets older.  I wanted him to be the only one.  My other son Dylan, well, he was our first and we just loved the name.  I see other Dylan's all the time.  You always want your child to be the only one...you know??  If you still love the name Silas, which I LOVE by the way, then go for it.  It's all what you and your husband want.  I know I was more than upset when after my Wyatt was born, my best friend named her son Matthew.  Matthew is Wyatt's middle name.  I know it's his middle name, but it just upset me that she would take this name that meant something to my family and give that as her son's first name.  I remember when she decided to use it too.  She was asking me what Wyatt's middle name was and I told her.  Her eyes got all big and she says..."That's it!"  I asked her what's it?  She said..."That's going to be my son's name!"  I was NOT happy.  :(  Why she couldn't come up with something on her own, I do not know.  That's why I do not like discussing baby name choices with others.

[tuff_as_snails]

Jan. 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM Aww I love that name!! I never even thought of that one! I THINK knew a kid in school named that. I forgot all about him till you said that. I think its still going to be uncommon enough though. I have never heard it any where else.