Initials will be 'V.D.' - bad or ok?

[philbee]

We've got two names, a boy and a girl name. Both family names, and inportant to us, but both will give the child the initials 'V.D'. Is this bad? I don't think people even really know what this stands for any more, let alone people of our children's generation, but don't want to saddle the child with horrendous, mockable initials. Help!

[exexpat]

Are you doing a middle name? That might help.

FWIW, for people of my generation (40s) VD would definitely be initials to avoid, but I think the current term is STI, so by the time your DC gets to school, the initials VD may not mean anything to anyone.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

When I was a teenager my friends Mum told me how much she loved the name Victoria but couldn't use it as their surname was Davies. She was quite sad about it (still!) as it was a name she'd loved for a daughter since she was a wee girl.

I think now it's all STD, SD's etc it's probably not a problem anymore, but it still wouldn't sit right for me as the whole VD thing would still be in my mind.

[philbee]

Middle name would be P, and B for my surname, so VPBD, or VPD (we have managed to come up with the same initials for both - creepy). It is all STIs now, and I wouldn't know VD if I hadn't worked in sexual health, am 35. Could just make a point of using all three initials? Would be sad not to use the names really.

[philbee]

Only saying my age for generational locating, not that all 35 yos have worked in sexual health!

[exexpat]

I think with middle initials, and the change in terminology, it shouldn't be a problem. You may find that the older generation of your family are a bit though.

I knew someone at school in the 1980s who had the main initials VD (she had middle names too) and I don't think it ruined her life even then... If a child is going to be teased, other children will always find something to tease them about, and it would probably be something that has never occurred to you and you wouldn't be able to influence anyway.

[LondonInHighHeeledBoots]

I wouldn't think of it, I'm 23 and didn't know what you were on about til I came in here, I thought it was something to do with the War you were concerned about?!

I don't think anyone that your DC will be in school with will know what a VD is. Hell, I'm actually not ENTIRELY sure what it stands for right now! I've got the gist from the conversation though.

[exexpat]

VD = venereal disease, otherwise known as a sexually transmitted infection.

It's the term they used to give us dire warnings about in sex ed classes when I were a lass (so last century...).

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I knew a Victoria Dxxxx and nobody ever made the VD connection when I was school. Or in my case,until right now.

VD being used in the way you're worried about is a fairly old fashioned term,it's STI's now.

So I wouldn't worry too much in all honesty.

[stillsmarting]

I worked with a VD who always used her middle initial as well (we used initials a lot). When I put that on here as an example of dodgy initials several people said "What's VD?" so I think people are right it is not a term that is used any more and the initials to avoid are STI.

[sparkle12mar08]

I wouldn't do it personally, it's a spectacularly unfortunate combination, not just mildly so.

[OkayHazel]

I'm 20 - have no idea what VD is.