DP and I have finally agreed on one name!

[Mahraih]

Here's how it goes: I suggest name; DP rejecs for some vague reason. Everything from the bizarre to the biblical to the banal.

But finally, he likes one! I have no idea why.

For a girl:

Bahati (promounced BAEHHAATiy).

It's Swahili and one of my suggestions as I'm half Kenyan and was born and raised there for a decade.

His name is very English, but kiddo should look a bit exotic. Would you think it a strange name??

[ValiumSingleton]

Bahati is too much like Batty. I really wouldn't use this. I have to be honest, I do think it's a bit too strange.

The next poster may well tell me off though.

[Ronaldinhio]

if the child is growing up in the uk then yes I would think it a strange name
that isn't to say don't use it...i just haven't come across it before

[sedgiebaby]

I have to tell off ValiumS as it is too much to resist...the batty is not only uncharitable, but unlikely I don't think that it sounds that similar.

However it is a bit 'out there' and challenging for the English tounge/ear, why don't you also go for a more English middle name to reflect both cultures and that might be used in later life if your little one choses too?

BTW DH and I are from different cultures (planets even?) and different first languages, I understand the challenge.

[FreakoidOrganisoid]

I like it. But then my dc have African middle names (they are half African) so I'm all for 'unusual' names

[Mahraih]

sedgiebaby we are going to have an English middle name, have no fear.

It's either English first name and Kenyan (Swahili or Luo) middle, or t'other way around. But so far, DP only likes Kenyan names, so ... gah!

[seaturtle]

I don't think it's so strange in the UK these days. At the babies and toddlers group and among my personal friends there are a lot of nationalities and many kinds of names. I know a couple of adult African girls (from Nigeria and Kenya) who originally went by Western names, presumably to make it easier on the rest of us. Now they have gone back to using their lovely African names.

[Mahraih]

Oh, it can also be spelled Behati, which is more uncommon in Kenya.

But I guess that wouldn't matter in London.

[ValiumSingleton]

uncharitable sedgie? Blunt perhaps, but 'uncharitable' is not quite right.

I would read those letters as a sound very like Batty.. whatever batty means. Just dotty isn't it?

[sedgiebaby]

OK blunt/dotty then...maybe I was the uncharitable one lol

[ValiumSingleton]

That's very big of you! Didn't mean to be horrible to the OP honestly. Just don't think it's the best choice for a child growing up in English-speaking country. I've heard worse though, far worse.

[mathanxiety]

I think the Behati spelling is better for the UK for the same reason that ValiumSingleton didn't like the Bahati version.

Are there any other Kenyan names your DH hasn't rejected?

[DinahRod]

Batty also has another slang meaning and can be said bah-tee rather than in a clipped baTTy. I would say a firm 'no' if it was for a boy, am neither here nor there about it as a girl's name.

[ragged]

Kenya. I mean as a name, if I had a child with African looks I'd quite like "Kenya" as a name. And it is meaningful to OP.

I don't understand how to pronounce Bahati so can't comment. ("Bae" you say how? double-H means what? How does one say Tiy?)

[GladioliBuckets]

Oh yes, think Ali G.

[GladioliBuckets]

Bhatti

I agree with Ragged, Kenya is a cool name!

[NiceShoes]

Batty Boy derogatory slang for homosexual. Or being a bit crazy. On that basis alone I wouldn't.

[Mahraih]

Actually yes, Mathanxiety, he's just revealed he also likes Amila (which I don't like) and Imane (which I don't mind but like less than Behati).

Ragged, as someone whose actually from Kenya, I really couldn't call my kid that! It just doesn't make sense to me.

As for all the urban slang for homosexuality, I don't think that 'Behati' with that spelling invites it, especially for a girl.

BTW: pronounced BayHaaTi. Sorry my original pronounciation example was phonetic. And confusing.

[BuntyPenfold]

There was a Bharti at my otherwise all-white-english-rural school (long ago); she was very much liked and no one thought of calling her Batty.

[toja555]

My DH is Kenyan, but we only consider international names. Bahati sounds a bit bizzare to me. Does it have a nice meaning, at least?

[Mahraih]

toja555 what do you mean by international names? As we live in London, children seem to have names from all over the world!

Behati means fortune or luck, which DP thought was quite nice.

[toja555]

Mahraih I know what you mean, but for example in DH's family everyone has English-international first name and then Kenyan(Luo) middle name. As we are not bothered by middle names we just choosing a name which will be understood in any country... I think that is easier for a child which does not have to explain the meaning or spelling every time. Nothing wrong with a name but sometimes it is easier to go with a flow, which we choose.

[Mahraih]

Ah, I see toja555. Good point. I'm Luo too!

We thought about going for the English first name and Luo middle name - I have that combo myself. My sister however, has it the other way around (Luo first name) and people really admire her name.

As it happens I don't really like any Luo names apart from my sister's (and suspect that's because I associate it with her) and am more Swahili in upbringing, so ... and we're not really go with the flow people!

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

I live in London and this name wouldn't raise eyebrows.

I like it spelt Behati

Imane is really nice, too

Any other ideas to run by us?

[JustKeepSwimming]

I'm not sure tbh.

If it was Bahati
pronounced: Bah-hah-tee (does that make sense?) then that might be ok,
but spelt that way and pronounced: Bay-Hat-tee, well it just doesn't seem to come naturally so poor kid will have it said or spelt wrong all the time.
ie if I met her and she said her name, then i would write it:
Bayhati/ee or maybe Baehati/ee?

Behati i would say: Beh-hat-tee.

I spent some time in Kenya growing up and couldn't go for Kenya as a name either - met one the other day though.

Overall, i think keep looking :)

[mathanxiety]

Would it be the same name if you spelled it Beyhati?