Is this 'baby names' section a bit racist?

[Boulders]

On this board I've noticed quite a negative vibe against any name that is more typically used in Afro/Caribbean communities than white ones. The same goes for opinions on names originating from Asia. Islamic names are discredited too. Why is this?

[FAQ]

I've only seen comments about people using names from other ethnic backgrounds other than White British when the OP hasn't stated that they are from that background.

[donnie]

really? I think you should give examples.

[hecate]

Hadn't noticed. Where has it been done?

[grouchomarx]

snobby I've noticed...

racist I'm not sure - though sometimes it seems as though people are a bit 'down' on names that are anything other than trad British, perhaps on the assumption taht the op is trying to be trendy and not considering that the name might be traditional in the OP's family, iyswim. For example, I see the name Milton was slagged in a recent thread (probably on hte grounds it was a pretentious/try hard name) but that is also a popular (and unpretentious) name in black communities.

[edam]

I haven't noticed anything of the sort. You'll have to provide more details so we can understand your point of view.

There tend to be arguments that if one is not from a specific cultural background, one should be VERY careful about using names from that background - but the main examples I can think of are to do with Welsh (people who can't actually spell Welsh names).

There's also a big class thing. So-called 'chavvy' names tend to get a bad reaction. I think that's a much more obvious issue than race.

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

I often read the threads and haven't noticed this. Unless it was my comment that I wouldn't feel comfortable using an African or chinese name because I would feel self-conscious doing so that you're objecting to. I would feel equally silly using a Latvian name or an Eskimo name. Just not comfortable with it.

Also, iff I read eg, that, Lakeisha was an African American name, I would think it was factual. Francesca is Italian. Niamh is Irish. To see racism in something factual baffles me.

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

PS, I had no idea Milton was a popular name in black communities. I slagged it off because it reminded me of bleach and poets.

[Boulders]

Interesting, so people just assume that only white women are having babies and using mn and only certain names are right for the white. Should anyone from an ethnic minority state their ethnicity when starting a thread?

I am genuinely interested if race does make a difference to the suitability of a name.

[grouchomarx]

didn't read the whole thread, pookie, just noticed that because it is my Jamaican bil's name.

[edam]

Where do you get 'people just assume only white women are having babies and using MN' from? You keep making assertions without backing them up. More evidence, please!

[hecate]

I never make any assumptions about race or colour. If I like a name I say so, if I don't, I say so. Colour doesn't come into it.

[donnie]

"people just assume that only white women are having babies using mn"

are you a troll?

[spicemonster]

I think the baby names section is just conservative with a small c, rather than racist. Basically unless you choose to call your child Ben/Oliver/Emily/Sophie, you'll get your choice slagged off for being too posh/too chav/too weird.

I don't know why anyone cares what a bunch of random people off the internet think of their child's name tbh. Utterly pointless posting a thread - you're always going to get a load of people saying 'eeuggh that's HORRIBLE!'

[hecate]

Besides - how do YOU know what colour the people commenting on the names are?

[donnie]

still waiting for the evidence. It'll be a long time coming methinks.

[Boulders]

Just to clarify, I had a reaction of 'trying too hard' with some (family) names a week or so back.

The latest backlash is against the name Dante.

[FAQ]

Someone slagged of one of my DS's names a little while ago saying "what sort of a name is that".......but I'm just presuming they didn't realise it's a pretty common name in the country where my exh was born and bred - and where we met and married.

[donnie]

how does the subject of race enter it then?

[MrsMattie]

what sprogger said

[thisisyesterday]

I think boulders has a fair point.
you do get people coming on and slagging names off, and demanding to know if the poster has x,y or z cultural background.

have never seen anyone say "i'm calling my baby john" and get the same response (ie, well, it's ok, but only if you have a british background)

[JuneBugJen]

Didnt know Dante had a race slant to it. Like it, but think of inferno and rings of hell etc. Not race...

[grouchomarx]

I've noticed the Dante slagging too - think it's a lovely name fwiw. I tend to think of it as a 'black' name because I have so far only come across black or mixed race boys called Dante. I have seen it called chavvy on mn, I think - really don't know why.

[scottishmummy]

Boulders-unfortunately some folk are unkind about any name.i dont interpret a racist subtext just rude

[PookiePodgeandTubs]

Well, I am White and I'm Irish and I guess that yes, that that has some bearing on my opinions. We are all shaped up to a point by our upbringing.

I don't think anybody owns a name. But I think if somebody doesn't feel comfortable using an Eskimo name, then that should be respected!!!