There's a whole style these days around Sebastian/Bennett, so it's not ridiculously unusual.

So, it's your child, and lots of people come around to a name once they see a child with it. So if you like a Sebastian, Rafferty, or Bennett, that's great!

But if you need a name a bit more "run-of-the-mill" while maintaining your style, here are a few suggestions:

• Owen
• Oliver
• Henry
• Vincent

Here are a few that stand out a bit more, but not too much (like Sebastian):

• Dominic
• Quentin
• Dexter
• Lawrence

And if you're looking for a rare gem (like Rafferty):

• Crispin
• Cornelius
• Basil
• Dorian

Any hits? Misses?

May we ask what you've picked for a girl?

Sebastian's neighbors on the NameNerds combined-spelling list for 2011 are names like Justin, Henry, Jason, Robert, Charles, Thomas, Brian, Eric, Tristan, and Kevin. They're all pretty old-fashioned (Jason and Kevin I think less so than the others), but possibly not "somewhat unusual" enough? Bennett's neighbors are similar: Mario, Phillip, Spencer, Theodore, Edwin, Raymond, Graham, Emanuel. (Rafferty is a different story: it's so far down that I gave up finding an old-fashioned name among its popularity-neighbors.)

I have this in mind because of another question: what about Emerick? Definitely both old and unusual. Similarly positioned names that also fit the "old-fashioned" category: Orson, Rufus, Roosevelt, Percy, Gustav, Murray, Horace, Clement. Do any of these come close?

I assume you've already done your share of playing around with Nymbler? (Keep in mind that it'll give different results depending on the order you enter your inspirations, and on the requested gender setting.) Some standouts (for me) from its suggestions: Vincent, Lawrence, Basil, Edgar, Fabian, Cornelius, Stanislaus, Julius, Merritt, Sylvester, Miles.

Of the three you give, Rafferty is not my style (I don't like surnames as given names), but both Bennett and Sebastian have merit. I don't have any negative associations with either of them -- both Pride & Prejudice and The Little Mermaid are positive references for me.

I don't think you need to "compromise" with friends and family on this.  Your son should have a name you love, and the names you are considering aren't weird or unpleasant in any way, so just go with it, and others will get used to it very quickly once he is here.  I will say that Sebastian and Bennett are much more standard/solid sounding than Rafferty to me (they would fit in seamlessly with the other babies and little kids I personally know), so that may be a plus for those two if blank stares are something that concerns you, but Rafferty is nice and totally fine too, if you like that one best.  If you are getting blank stares from older family members, or family/friends that don't yet have any kids, it could be that they are not up to speed on the current naming styles.  My parents' generation was absolutely shocked to hear of all the kids I know named Henry and Oliver and Rose and Lillian--these still sound like totally musty, out-moded names to them.  They also still think that Olivia, Isabella, Sophia, Jack, and Aidan sound fresh and interesting.  They find Addison and Madison to be clever and unusual.  In short, they do not know a lot of small children.  Even if this is not the issue, and your friends/family just have a different style than you do, that's fine.  It would be different if you were truly considering something odd, like Moonbeam or Eggbert or Pants, and they were trying to politely steer you in a different direction--but your tastes will put your kid(s) very much in line with many of his/her peers today, so I think you should stick to your guns and go with what you love.  

If you are looking for more suggestions to add to your list, a few more selection criteria would be helpful.  It sounds like you want a name with a fairly formal feel, multisyllabic, maybe British-y, surnames are considered/preferred?  On this theme, I will add Alastair, Cormac, Willoughby, Flannery, Tristan, Everett, Barrett, Beckett, Meritt, Emmett, Elliott, Emerson, Graham, Tilden, Ambrose, Tobias, Silas, Finnegan, Spencer, Calder.                

Unless the blank stares you are getting are from the other parent, I don't think you should worry about it.  The names you like aren't that odd.  Sebastian ranked #68 last year, Bennett was #239.   Rafferty didn't rank in the top 1000 at all, but it is traditional and recognizable so I think people would get used to it quickly.  Go with a name you love, friends and family will come around once the baby gets here.

I think Sebastian, Rafferty and Bennett are all fabulous. I really don't think any of them are that unusual.  

In fact Sebastian is pretty common in my area, top 100 I think. Bennett is a bit more uncommon but not unheard of and has the very normal nickname of Ben. Surely that would soften any negative reaction to it?

I actually really like Rafferty and it is on my list. I have previously run it by some friends/family and got a not so positive response. Mostly because people aren't that familiar with it. I know of 2 young Rafferty's and I believe they get pretty positive feedback on their names.

In general people will be more negative about names when you are pregnant and haven't actually named the baby yet.  They feel like they can say whatever they want. Once a baby is born and named most people are much more accepting and usually keep any negative opinions to themselves. There is no pleasing everyone. Even if you pick a top 10 name, some people still won't like it. The most important thing is that you like it!

I think all 3 are fine names. I would stop discussing it with anyone and just go with the name you and your partner love. 

I actually know of multiple Bennetts, and I've certainly met Sebastians recently.

As others have suggested, if you're running them by folks who haven't named babies recently, they probably just aren't familiar with the current styles.

If you love one of those, use one!

Personally, I find Bennett very handsome, and I'm intrigued by the idea of Rafferty. Rafe as a nn? I just don't care for Sebastian, but not for any real reason.

I don't know if this exactly meets your criteria, but I adore the name Walter and my DH has nixed it for us. So I'd be happy if you used it :)

How about Benedict or Clarence or Arthur?

Ooh, or how about Roland?