Well, I have rediscovered the board anyway, apparently I was a member without knowing.

Anyway, I'm not pregnant, I just love names. I have a really common name for my time spent in school (there was close to 20 girls with similar names, not to mention all the Christophers). I have always wanted my kids names to be a little more unique than what I had to deal with. I've come to realize though, that a lot of my names are popular classics, or seem to be on the trendy side (but I dont know for sure, I dont know a lot of newborns nor do I watch the dicussion of baby names closely).

Do you think these are trendy/popular for newborns (I wont have kids at least for 2 more years, if not closer to 4)? Do you have any suggestions? (Note: I dont like the use of nicknames so a common full name with a different nickname really isnt an option)

Boys (my husband-to-accepts these for the most part):
Benjamin
Brendan
Eric
Isaac
Jason
Keith
Michael
Travis
Zachary

Girls (really hard because I dont like a lot, hubby likes Caitlin and Amber)
Dana
Tiffany
Lana - Hawaiian form Lah-nah
Lea - again, Hawaiian Lay-ah (too confused with Leah in America?)
Alice
Alana
Layla

Thanks for all the help

I wouldn't consider any of the names on your boys list as trendy or unique. As for your girls list, I live in rural Ohio and I know at least one person with each of the names except Lana, although I think both Lana, Alana, and Layla are unique.

That's not to say I don't like the names you've picked out...they are all nice names

I really just wanted to say that don't expect people not to shorten a name. People will always shorten a name, whether you desire them to or not. When you name a child Benjamin, Michael, or Zachary, be prepared to have someone shorten it and for it to stick. I taught a preschooler named Christopher gymnastics, and I always accidentally called him Chris...his father continually and dutifully corrected me everytime, so I suppose it is possible.

Have fun with future name picking!