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Original poster

Has anyone ever actually been bullied for having a chavvy name?

231 replies

Manfredine · 01/03/2026 13:36

Nothing outlandish or double barreled but a name that nonetheless comes up in all the chav name lists. A lot is made online about names being chavvy but has having such a name ever actually affected anyone irl?

example being Chantelle not princess-Rosie-Leigh

AIBU to think it’s more about the parents and worrying about how they’ll be perceived for choosing a certain name?

OP posts:
onelumporthree · 02/03/2026 14:31

I used to have to put up with endless jibes about being a 'blonde bimbo' because I had fair hair so that made me an airhead apparently, and also numerous caustic 'Essex girl' nastiness and 'jokes' about being a slag as well. Horrible. Why are people such bastards?

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 14:26

NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 14:16

@Manfredine , I don't understand why you started a thread.

Destiny isn't a regular name. I remember being told that a baby was called Destiny and my opinion was along the lines of 'Bloody hell, that's dreadful'.
I probably said something like 'That's a bit different, how lovely!'.

Chelsea and Chantelle sound like names of women who'd be in their late 20s now.

because on the internet a lot is made about parents avoiding chavvy names and preferring posh ones like Persephone or Herbert.

But in my experience and many on here have said the same we were picked on for having posh names and the kids with chavvy names were fine.

Seeing destiny described as chavvy did have me second guessing myself still

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 14:16

@Manfredine , I don't understand why you started a thread.

Destiny isn't a regular name. I remember being told that a baby was called Destiny and my opinion was along the lines of 'Bloody hell, that's dreadful'.
I probably said something like 'That's a bit different, how lovely!'.

Chelsea and Chantelle sound like names of women who'd be in their late 20s now.

CrackersAndCaviar · 02/03/2026 14:12

ilovesooty · 01/03/2026 15:28

Not the point. I'd have pressed charges if I'd been assaulted like that. Perhaps the name her parents chose to give her was a minor problem compared to their parenting.

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This is strange. You can imagine being the person who is nasty to someone purely because of their name but you can't imagine the other person reacting to that nastiness? I'm not sure you are in a good position to talk about other people's parenting. Did yours not teach you to not be nasty?

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 14:05

NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 13:59

@Manfredine , your name being 'upper class' mattered to you, so it's quite likely your DD will mind having a name that people will have an opinion on.

Why do you like the name? Is it the sound or the meaning?

Both but outside of the internet is it actually common for people to have an opinion on a regular name like destiny? Chantelle and Chelsea are also on those lists and the ones I know have never had any bad experiences because of their names

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 14:04

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:23

It clearly says ‘lower class’. It’s a classist term, are you really saying otherwise?

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Poor and lower class don't mean the same thing.

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 14:03

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:58

🙄

Plus your definition mentions antisocial behaviour don’t think I’ve ever heard it used as an insult at someone just because they’re poor

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 13:59

@Manfredine , your name being 'upper class' mattered to you, so it's quite likely your DD will mind having a name that people will have an opinion on.

Why do you like the name? Is it the sound or the meaning?

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:58

🙄

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 13:40

NotMeAtAll · 02/03/2026 13:28

But she'll be Destiny, not you. People who hear her name will make assumptions about her background, whether they're justified or not.

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And then they’ll meet someone who is (most likely going to be) nothing like what they expected so does it matter

OP posts:
NotMeAtAll · 02/03/2026 13:28

Manfredine · 02/03/2026 12:59

How can destiny code as very working class when I’m middle class and was considering it and I can’t be the only one but you also believe there are no names exclusive to the upper class?
My name was mocked and I think if I’d had a different name I probably would of just been ignored

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But she'll be Destiny, not you. People who hear her name will make assumptions about her background, whether they're justified or not.

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 13:25

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:11

Maybe consider what it is you’re really asking.

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Yeah so I’m trying to see if my daughter’s name will be an inconvenience or not I don’t really care about your definitions or if I’m being PC or not. Sorry

OP posts:
Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:23

NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 13:16

It does not mention anything about poor people.

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It clearly says ‘lower class’. It’s a classist term, are you really saying otherwise?

NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 13:16

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:09

“"Chav" is a derogatory British slang term for a subcultural stereotype of young, lower-class people often associated with antisocial behavior, specific branded sportswear, and baseball caps
. Used pejoratively to imply low intelligence or criminality, it is considered a classist term, with "chavette" referring to females.”

Edited

It does not mention anything about poor people.

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:11

Manfredine · 02/03/2026 13:08

I’m not taking the piss out of anyone and I’m not sure what the point in comments like this are howd you expect me to ask the question I want to to ask without using that word

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Maybe consider what it is you’re really asking.

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:09

“"Chav" is a derogatory British slang term for a subcultural stereotype of young, lower-class people often associated with antisocial behavior, specific branded sportswear, and baseball caps
. Used pejoratively to imply low intelligence or criminality, it is considered a classist term, with "chavette" referring to females.”

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 13:08

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:04

Me too. It’s really offensive. What is it supposed to conjure exactly? Lads in tracksuit bottoms? Unemployed people? Girls in leggings? People who live on council estates?

Why are poor people the only disadvantaged group that people feel it’s acceptable to take the piss out of?

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I’m not taking the piss out of anyone and I’m not sure what the point in comments like this are howd you expect me to ask the question I want to to ask without using that word

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 13:06

I hadn't thought of Venetia.
I think when I was young they had names like Camilla, Melissa, Tamara, Miranda, Arabella etc but they weren't exclusively UC.
There was a Miranda at school and her family wasn't UC.

Destiny doesn't quite code as working class IMO.

@Catterbat , chavvy isn't synonymous with poor.

Catterbat · 02/03/2026 13:04

Paraguay · 01/03/2026 20:37

I really dislike the word chavvy

Me too. It’s really offensive. What is it supposed to conjure exactly? Lads in tracksuit bottoms? Unemployed people? Girls in leggings? People who live on council estates?

Why are poor people the only disadvantaged group that people feel it’s acceptable to take the piss out of?

AmberSpy · 02/03/2026 13:02

Manfredine · 02/03/2026 12:48

I’m not going to put my name on here not only is it incredibly posh it’s also pretty niche and this could get outing.

but if you want Herbert, Persephone, Percival are some examples.

I can’t remember any of the Chelsea’s or Chantelle’s getting shit for their names in school. Just to make it clear I’m talking normal but “chavvy” names here not double barrelled or stupid. Is there any actual downside to a chavvy name for the child or is all the internet discussions rooted around parents wanting to come across as not chavvy themselves?

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I feel like people have already said this repeatedly in the thread, but yes, there is potentially a downside to the child if they, in the future, want to enter a profession where names and first impressions are still held to matter.

Some professions such as law and areas of finance are very client-focused and depend on being able to sell yourself. If your name attracts particularly strong assumptions you may find yourself at something of a disadvantage. Is it good or fair that these things happen? No, but these prejudices still exist.

Having said all that OP it feels pretty obvious that you have your heart set on naming your child Destiny and nothing anybody says is going to change your mind. And you know what, that's totally fine, just crack on, you don't need the blessing of Mumsnet. If at some point in the distant future your daughter feels her name is a disadvantage she can change it, or go by a middle name.

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 12:59

Fivelegged · 02/03/2026 12:53

I can think of almost no names exclusively used by the UC. And surely if you were an 'aloof, weird' kid, that was what made you a likely target, not being called Venetia or whatever?

I mean, given that you don't seem to have noticed that Destiny codes as very working-class, is it just possible that you over-estimate the UC-ness of your own name?

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How can destiny code as very working class when I’m middle class and was considering it and I can’t be the only one but you also believe there are no names exclusive to the upper class?
My name was mocked and I think if I’d had a different name I probably would of just been ignored

OP posts:
Fivelegged · 02/03/2026 12:53

Manfredine · 02/03/2026 10:57

My name is upper class not middle class, it’s also ridiculously old fashioned not sure what my parents were thinking. I probably would have been able to pull it off if I’d been a normal temperament kid, but I was aloof and weird so apparently that made me “posh”.

And on the other hand if I’d had a less posh name maybe I would of been able to get away with acting posh

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I can think of almost no names exclusively used by the UC. And surely if you were an 'aloof, weird' kid, that was what made you a likely target, not being called Venetia or whatever?

I mean, given that you don't seem to have noticed that Destiny codes as very working-class, is it just possible that you over-estimate the UC-ness of your own name?

Original poster
Manfredine · 02/03/2026 12:48

NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 11:31

My name is upper class not middle class,
I can't think of any 'upper class' names.

@Manfredine , Destiny seems to be the opposite of upper class but also dated.

@OSTMusTisNT , the 'nise' in Denise isn't the same as 'niece'.

I’m not going to put my name on here not only is it incredibly posh it’s also pretty niche and this could get outing.

but if you want Herbert, Persephone, Percival are some examples.

I can’t remember any of the Chelsea’s or Chantelle’s getting shit for their names in school. Just to make it clear I’m talking normal but “chavvy” names here not double barrelled or stupid. Is there any actual downside to a chavvy name for the child or is all the internet discussions rooted around parents wanting to come across as not chavvy themselves?

OP posts:
NamingNoNames · 02/03/2026 11:31

My name is upper class not middle class,
I can't think of any 'upper class' names.

@Manfredine , Destiny seems to be the opposite of upper class but also dated.

@OSTMusTisNT , the 'nise' in Denise isn't the same as 'niece'.

OSTMusTisNT · 02/03/2026 11:01

My school friend Denise was always called Denephew. It totally eroded her confidence over many years. Even the teachers were doing it (1980's).

The people doing it never thought of themselves as bullies but it was bullying.

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