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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be angry about comments on my granddaughters' names?

508 replies

Ellenay · 21/08/2026 17:59

So, I have 5 grandchildren, this weekend I’m looking after all of them, my daughter and her husband are away to a wedding in France and my son and his wife have booked a little spa weekend.

I popped in to see some of my friends with them as I don’t often have the children and my friends like seeing them.

One of my friends had some other friends I’ve not met before over but we joined them. After introducing the children and then being sent to the kitchen to get a lollipop, one of these friends said oh don’t all the girls have little showgirl names, I must have looked a bit shocked as someone else then jumped in and said oh she doesn’t mean p*rnstar just very moulin rouge.

I just said I thought their names were lovely and moved on but now I’m back home I’m furious, I’m furious I didn’t give her a piece of my mind.

AIBU to think this is an absurd thing to say about children’s names?!

OP posts:
Kyttiol · 21/08/2026 19:53

Calliopespa · 21/08/2026 19:49

I'm with you OP: I think showgirl is not a compliment and the comment was catty, but, given how many people here seem not to see this issue, maybe she really didn't grasp the connotations.

Showgirl normally has sexual undertones, which obviously isn't what most grandmothers want their little granddaughters associated with.

its just the usual mumsnet contrarianism. If you’d posted “shall I tell my friend her granddaughter’s names are very showgirl” everyone would be telling you you were being VERY unreasonable.

MonetsLilac · 21/08/2026 19:53

I personally don't like those names, but it doesn't matter, it's not my choice. I wouldn't say anything at all, because that would be rude.
My neighbour had a little boy and named him Sonny, which I think is a ridiculous name. What did I say? "Cute, and many congratulations!" It's not difficult to be a decent human being.
Ignore them. Enjoy your grandchildren!

Grapewrath · 21/08/2026 19:52

I think of the songs
‘Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl’
and Roxanne by the police. I bet that’s what your friend meant, without any malice.
Thry are lovely names, but I get the showgirl link- I don’t see that as a bad thing

Calliopespa · 21/08/2026 19:49

I'm with you OP: I think showgirl is not a compliment and the comment was catty, but, given how many people here seem not to see this issue, maybe she really didn't grasp the connotations.

Showgirl normally has sexual undertones, which obviously isn't what most grandmothers want their little granddaughters associated with.

HollyhocksandPeons · 21/08/2026 19:48

Some names are idiotic, some funny, some pretentious and some rude. Maybe it was the case with your grandchildren's names. But since when did we lose our manners to such a degree as to comment on it aloud? What a rude cow that woman was. Why do you give a shit about her opinion anyway, or are you just angry you did not say to her face she was rude?

Error404FucksNotFound · 21/08/2026 19:48

Yanbu.
It was rude to say it.
People need to know when to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Kyttiol · 21/08/2026 19:43

Ruby and Lola together made me think of the Scottish sisters who fought off a predator with an axe.

Mycatisreal · 21/08/2026 19:42

Ellenay · 21/08/2026 18:14

No, not Kitty. I fear this thread is just going to turn into a guessing game of their names instead of actually discussing the woman’s manners so I will share their names.
Lola, Roxy and Ruby.

Show quote history

I love those names. My baby granddaughter is called Ruby ❤️

TheBlueKoala · 21/08/2026 19:41

FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 19:22

Showgirl to me would mean like a dancer in vegas. Not anything to be offended by.

Yeah cause we all want our daughters to become "dancers" in Vegas. Even though you think something you don't have to say it. I mean the OP could have just answered "well you're as rude as you're ugly" but she didn't.

Jan24680 · 21/08/2026 19:41

Is this a wind up?

Dery · 21/08/2026 19:39

Lola, Roxy and Ruby.

@Ellenay - not RTFT but just to say - I love those names. Think they're fab. I agree it was a bit daft of your friend to comment but don't we all occasionally say the wrong thing?

TheBlueKoala · 21/08/2026 19:38

Ellenay · 21/08/2026 19:10

I don’t think this post was at all inviting people to critique their names, I didn’t say what is your opinion on my grandchildren’s name, I asked for opinions on a woman’s behaviour and gave the names as it was turning into a guessing game of the names.

There is never any need to critique the name of someone who already exist to someone close to them or the person who holds the name.

The baby name board is different, people are posting asking for opinions on the name not a seperate behaviour relating to the name.

Show quote history

I agree with you that she was very rude. In all fairness I would have thought the same thing but not have said anything as it's so obvious that showgirls is not something you would like to associate with little girls. But some people are just blunt and say out loud what they think.

Henrysmyhoover · 21/08/2026 19:33

Yes it’s rude to comment it would annoy me. Don’t know why people can’t just keep their mouths shut.

Coinkidinki · 21/08/2026 19:31

Kyttiol · 21/08/2026 19:07

I don’t think Roxy is that attention seeky or exotic tbh.

Brits really aren’t ready for American names if they think Roxy is exotic 😂

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At the point of my post, the actual names hadn't been confirmed.

I said 'attention grabbing' not 'attention seeking'.

If Roxy is American in origin, it's by definition exotic in the United Kingdom.

TiredLimeUnicorn · 21/08/2026 19:28

Upyermonkey · 21/08/2026 18:12

It was a bitchy comment IMO

I agree. Not worthy of a response though as it says volumes about her!

Tatenk · 21/08/2026 19:28

I can see why she thought it but only a dick would say it.

Just tell yourself that this woman has age-related cognitive decline and thinning of the frontal lobe, leading to poor impulse control. It might even be true.

BEAchDays2 · 21/08/2026 19:25

Lola Roxy and ruby 😂🫠 I mean she’s not wrong.

lottiegarbanzo · 21/08/2026 19:24

Are the boys called Edmund and Jeremy, or Sebastian and Raphael, so very contrasting?

harbourlightsbaby · 21/08/2026 19:24

I think she was rude, there was no need to say it. Some people think it’s ok to always speak their mind, it’s not.

For what it’s worth, I think they’re lovely names.

Maddy70 · 21/08/2026 19:23

Isn't that just a comment ? If for example a name is Liza i works think of Liza Minnelli.

A showgirl not an insult

FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 19:22

caringcarer · 21/08/2026 19:15

Like in the song "Her name was Lola she was a showgirl" probably came into her mind.

Show quote history

And Roxanne literally from the film Moulin Rouge.

caringcarer · 21/08/2026 19:22

WeddingDressguest · 21/08/2026 18:47

Roxy is naff but not showgirl. I cant imagine a grown adult woman, having to tell people her name is Roxy. This seems quite ridiculous. Unless short for Roxanne.

The other two are fine, though, totally normal names. Calm down if you like the names why do you care.

Show quote history

Roxanne is surely worse. Thinking of the Police song, Roxanne. "You don't have to put on the red light". "You don't have to sell your body to the night". "You don't have to wear that dress tonight".

FillTheGoldenCupWithRoses · 21/08/2026 19:22

Showgirl to me would mean like a dancer in vegas. Not anything to be offended by.

Gloriia · 21/08/2026 19:18

caringcarer · 21/08/2026 19:15

Like in the song "Her name was Lola she was a showgirl" probably came into her mind.

Show quote history

I think that may have been covered.

nomoremsniceperson · 21/08/2026 19:18

I think they're pretty names and I don't think she meant it offensively - she probably just blurted it out before her brain had a chance to register it was a bit inappropriate to point out. And tbh I can see where she's coming from...

I mean, Roxy is the iconic main character in Chicago - she's a showgirl. The song Copacabana also literally starts with "her name was Lola, she was a showgirl" and then Ruby feels very much in the same vein.

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