Woman shares tip for testing baby name out before settling on it
Picking your baby's name is one of the most important decisions you ever make – after all they will have it for life.
It is a huge responsibility – we all want something cute and unique, but not so off-the-wall that we set them up for a lifetime of jokes or mispronunciation.
And most of us want to keep our choice a secret until baby arrives. So, how on earth can you gauge reaction to it?
One mum has come up with a genius tip for trying out your favourite baby names in the real world without giving your secret away to family and friends.
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Posting on Mumsnet, the woman revealed she's been trying the so-called "Starbucks test".
"I know there used to be something about going to Starbucks and giving your prospective baby’s name so that it got called out when your drink was ready and you could gauge reaction," the anonymous poster wrote in the parenting website's forum.
"I’ve tried it a few times at various places recently with a name that mumsnet posters were quite rude about but in the real world people spontaneously said oh wow you have a lovely name and young people seemed to be really positive about it.
"Also despite what people on mumsnet said nobody had any issue with spelling it or pronouncing it. I think it’s worth doing.
"In our case it’s meant we are now 100% happy with our choice of - Xanthe!"
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Other users flocked to praise the mum's name test trick, and choice of name, with one writing: "Nice idea!
"Incidentally I slightly knew a girl called Xanthe when I was little and I was always in awe of her name - it just seemed awesome. It has an X in it which is always great, and is cool Greek sounding. Excellent name!"
Another wrote: "I love Xanthe. I think other people having issues with pronunciation/spelling is a weird reason not to choose a name you like - I've had this all my life with my surname but I still love it and like that it's unusual. Who cares if other people say it wrong."
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While there is a trend for choosing unusual baby names, the UK's current top 10 list still contains traditional favourites with Olivia topping the girls' list and Muhammed securing top spot for the boys.
Other popular names included Noah, Oliver and George for boys, and Amelia, Lily and Rosie for girls.
With the Queen's Platinum Jubilee coming up this summer, experts are predicting a boost for regal names like Betty, Elizabeth and Lilibet for girls, while old-fashioned names like Reggie and Frankie are expected to make a return for boys.
