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Original poster

AIBU to think my DH has gone mad over this baby name?

419 replies

kweefa · 21/01/2025 10:19

So, I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant with DC2, and DH and I are still arguing over the name. For context, we have a DS(4) called Oliver (family name, everyone loved it, no issues there). But this time, DH has got it into his head that we should name DD something, frankly, ridiculous.

He wants to call her Nevaeh. Yes, “Heaven” backwards. He says it’s “unique but meaningful.” I think it’s chavvy and will age terribly (sorry if that offends anyone). I mean, can you imagine a 50 year old Nevaeh filling out her pension forms?

I’ve suggested plenty of other names Sophie, Amelia, even Freya but he keeps turning them down as “too common.” Meanwhile, he’s vetoed names I love (Florence, Ivy, Matilda) because he “knew a girl in school with that name and she was annoying.” 🙄

WWYD? Am I being unreasonable or is DH completely deluded?

P.S. Posting for traffic!

OP posts:
Cotonsugar · 21/01/2025 12:13

She’ll be forever correcting the spelling and pronunciation. (Never or Neeevah?)
There was a girl at school back in the day called Ettractive. Yes, her parents couldn’t spell Attractive. She was the least attractive girl but maybe she was a cute baby😂

AnxietyLevelMax · 21/01/2025 12:14

@kweefa op oh no no no…tell his the name has no specific historical or cultural origin and was popularised after some american singer sony sandoval named his daughter nevaeh. And apparently he was a cheat so not a good look for him… he said he liked how it was spelled heaven backwards so really stupid idea to follow this steps.
maybe the above will put him off the name🫣

Woopzies · 21/01/2025 12:14

AudiobookListener · 21/01/2025 10:24

Chavvy. And a lifetime of being told "you're not as angelic as your name"! I also think it sounds a bit medical.

Edited

I thought the same - it sounds like 'naevus'

ChicLilacSeal · 21/01/2025 12:15

Siddalee · 21/01/2025 11:47

If it’s “names backward” with religious connotations that are his thing, he’s missed the all time best one!

Natasha
😈

Omg! It says "Ah Satan"!

Explains a lot when I think of the Natasha that I knew at school!

Toddlerteaplease · 21/01/2025 12:16

I'm paediatric nurse, yes we absolutely do judge when we get a Nevaeh in. 🤣

Toucan123 · 21/01/2025 12:17

Terrible name but I really hope the "50 year old filling out pension forms" bit was a typo because why on earth would someone as young as 50 be "filling out pension forms"? Maybe you meant to type a 7 instead of a 5.

RuthW · 21/01/2025 12:17

Yes, it's very Chavvy

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 21/01/2025 12:17

ErrolTheDragon · 21/01/2025 10:29

I used to think this 'name' was an urban myth but a very religious family we know has a GD called this.

It's not unique and it's rather silly. What's the 'meaning' of backwards heaven - hell?

Tell DH it’s common OP, that’ll sort it.

TankFlyBossWalkJamNittyGrittyIAmFromAMidSizeCity · 21/01/2025 12:18

Hairyesterdaygonetoday · 21/01/2025 12:11

For heaven’s sake. Anyone who does such a gruelling and vital job is entitled to all the bad-taste humour they need to help them get by. It’s among friends, not published online or reported to the parents.

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It literally has just been said online....

Cotonsugar · 21/01/2025 12:18

Fencehedge · 21/01/2025 11:11

I'd love it if a parent dared to call their child Gemma these days. Or Vicky.

That'd be genuinely unique.

Edited

Loads of Gemmas in the 80s😂

ChicLilacSeal · 21/01/2025 12:18

flapjackfairy · 21/01/2025 12:12

the actress who plays Trixie in call the midwife has a Wren and a Lark !

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Noooo! Oh my God, what is WRONG with some people! Children aren't there to be laughed at!

museumum · 21/01/2025 12:18

It drives me mad because it just doesn't work phonetically. How do you say it? Neva-eh? Neeva-eh? NeVAeh?

BoomBoomZoomies · 21/01/2025 12:19

I work in Maternity, and believe me Neveah is far from unique.

IMO it's a horrible name and really overused now. Plenty of other lovely nakes around.

ChicLilacSeal · 21/01/2025 12:20

Cotonsugar · 21/01/2025 12:13

She’ll be forever correcting the spelling and pronunciation. (Never or Neeevah?)
There was a girl at school back in the day called Ettractive. Yes, her parents couldn’t spell Attractive. She was the least attractive girl but maybe she was a cute baby😂

Edited

Omg, that poor child. Still, I guess she could call herself Etta, which I think is a real German name.

CharityShopChic · 21/01/2025 12:20

He has indeed gone barking mad. Hopefully you can talk him round before baby gets here.

Soubriquet · 21/01/2025 12:21

museumum · 21/01/2025 12:18

It drives me mad because it just doesn't work phonetically. How do you say it? Neva-eh? Neeva-eh? NeVAeh?

Usually pronounced Nuh-vay-ah

ChicLilacSeal · 21/01/2025 12:21

Hoppinggreen · 21/01/2025 11:24

I know 3 Victorias and no Vickys at all

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Still, you wouldn't want to risk it.

nouveaunomduplume · 21/01/2025 12:23

tell him you'll agree to it if he first changes his name by deed poll to to Toidi

blueshoes · 21/01/2025 12:23

TeenLifeMum · 21/01/2025 11:54

I find it quite a sad name as I don’t want to think of my child going to heaven, that’s quite upsetting. I’ve never understood the “beauty” in the name.

Yes, 'heaven' spelt forwards or backwards is bad luck.

Like Ophelia with all its connotations.

Don't tempt fate.

DuckyLuck · 21/01/2025 12:23

My partner is a social worker - he comes across this name all the time, it's not unique

Fink · 21/01/2025 12:24

I agree with some pps, regardless of whether it's chavvy or not, writing a religious word backwards is a way of negating it. So it just comes across as wannabe demonic. It has even caused controversy locally here in the church whether it would be considered anti-Christian enough to refuse baptism.

blueshoes · 21/01/2025 12:25

BoomBoomZoomies · 21/01/2025 12:19

I work in Maternity, and believe me Neveah is far from unique.

IMO it's a horrible name and really overused now. Plenty of other lovely nakes around.

The people who name their baby Neveah, are they chavvy?

<waits to be flamed>

VonHally · 21/01/2025 12:25

There was an Indian nurse in my late mother's nursing home who was called Nivea. She was such a lovely gently woman. Anyway some of the more brazen ladies called her Face Cream. She took it well.

Dogaredabomb · 21/01/2025 12:26

If he loves it that much he can call himself Neveah. I love Lucinda and Juliet.

Namechangedforgoodreasons · 21/01/2025 12:26

Needmorelego · 21/01/2025 11:33

I wouldn't use anything rude to describe the name.
It's just a name.
Not to everyone's taste - but no name is.
Personally I really dislike the names Henry, Percy, Stanley or Agatha (all names I know of actual children under the age of 12 or so) but do I say "urrgh those names are so poncy"?
No I don't. I don't say anything. They aren't my children so why should I care.
People are so unbelievably rude about names on Mumsnet.
Obviously parents should be discouraged to name their babies Adolf or Satan but other than that - does it matter if you don't like the name of someone else's child?

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No, it doesn’t matter. But OP asked for people's opinions!

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