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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Everyone laughs at my babies name......thinking of changing it????

486 replies

KidderminsterKate · 04/03/2012 12:48

Well, title says it all really. DS is 10 weeks old and is a handsome smilng chap already so gets alot of attention. My parents hate his name but are sort of used to it...my other DC's love the name but its HVs and shop keepers and friends and friends of friends that usually just eh and then oh.

I wasnt bothered at first but now its starting to get to me. I do love the name but am a bit embarrassed now.

Would these sort of things make you change the name??? I'm thinking of changing it to Edward (Ted).

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FriggFRIGG · 04/03/2012 18:32

Oh yes,I'd perhaps put Edward on the BC,but don't tell anyone.

ipanicked · 04/03/2012 18:32

I think it's a great name and think that people that laugh in your face should have better manners! I say that as have also been laughed at with DD's name. We did decide to put a 'sunday' name on the BC though. It's nice to have options (you know just in case he really doesn't suit Bear when he gets older as it's a big old name to live up to) and Edward (nn Bear) is fab too.

TheCrunchUnderfoot · 04/03/2012 18:32

Takes to his NAME as he gets bigger I meant!!

FGS whatever you do don't start calling him Manda

FriggFRIGG · 04/03/2012 18:31

I LOVE it...it's an awesome name.Grin

Keep it!

TheCrunchUnderfoot · 04/03/2012 18:31

Hmm. A fabulous out there name in many ways but tough to carry off!

It's difficult - he could be a total extrovert and love the name and make everyone jealous that they don't have such fabulous names... Or he could be shy and HATE it.

I'd change the BC to Edward, but wouldn't actually tell anyone and keep calling him Bear. Then just play it by ear and see how HE takes to his Manda's he gets bigger.

suburbandream · 04/03/2012 18:29

Did no-one tell you it was a daft name before you gave birth?? I mean, why decide now that you might change it? Surely you must have had comments beforehand but decided it was a great name and to stick to your guns? If you like it, take no notice of others. Bear is a perfectly fine name if you are the child of a sleb and likely to be surrounded by Pixies, Kittens, Harpers etc but I don't know if there are many of those in Kidderminster.

ThunderboltKid · 04/03/2012 18:29

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at poster's request

Original poster
KidderminsterKate · 04/03/2012 18:29

well yes the Bear idea came fro me considering Edward with ted/teddy for a nn. But I went with bear. It really does suit him. My other have slightly unusual names (well at the time) too but not like Bear.

OP posts:
MsMarple · 04/03/2012 18:28

Gosh, even Jamie Oliver in the height of mad-child-naming-celebness only dared to use Bear as a middle name for his son.

Normally I'd say stick to your original plan (I speak as someone still trying to convince DH that Merlin is a good name) but in all honesty Edward would be MUCH kinder.

Now, if you'd called him Wolf, that would have been fine! Wink

pictish · 04/03/2012 18:28

Oh calm down people!

Bear is fine OP - it's hardly worth the reaction some of these mothers of Ben, Daniel and Jack or whatever other dull, unimaginative blend-into-the background names they plump for, are giving it.
I can think of much more outlandish names than Bear doing the rounds just now. Bear is quite nice.

Pandygirl · 04/03/2012 18:27

Sorry, but I also think change it to Edward and use Bear as a NN.

SparkySparrow · 04/03/2012 18:27

Ooo Its Bear!

Hmmm,I quite like it, but why don't you do what some people have said and use it as a nickname. Or have a middle name that he could use if he wanted to change it later on.
I wouldn't change it to Ted though. The poor boy will be in for a pasting if anyone finds out his name was changed from Bear to Ted.

Edward is nice.

faeriemoo · 04/03/2012 18:24

Regardless of what you, or anyone here thinks of it, if his name is Bear he is going to go through his whole life (or at very least the upcoming years) having the piss taken out of him left, right and centre.

LulaBear · 04/03/2012 18:24

Sorry but Bear doesn't even 'feel' like a name iyswim. People will always laugh.
But thanks for saying what it is!

Heyyyho · 04/03/2012 18:23

Why did you choose that?

AndOnAndOnAndOn · 04/03/2012 18:22

Bear's alright, but I would change it to Edward officially and keep Bear as nickname/for everyday use.

kilmuir · 04/03/2012 18:21

How could you, thats horrible

ajandjjmum · 04/03/2012 18:21

One other thing, because we were so dozy about choosing DS's name, we called him JJ (name of the bump) until he was 2. Then DH decided a rugby player called JJ just wouldn't cut it, so we all had to start calling him by his 'real' name. Worked out just fine - so don't worry about changing it!

DonInKillerHeels · 04/03/2012 18:21

It's a terrible proper name, though OK I guess as a NN. Definitely change it to Edward.

We call DS Panda (Alexander) but FFS would never have christened him that!

Queenofthehill · 04/03/2012 18:20

Sorry, that should say stocky Blush. Autocorrect fail.

SoupDragon · 04/03/2012 18:20

Bear is a shocking name, sorry. Your son has to live with that every day of his life.

Change it to Edward and call him Bear as a nickname if you want but Bear is not a name.

ajandjjmum · 04/03/2012 18:19

I LOVE Bear as a nn for Edward.

Onetwothreeoops · 04/03/2012 18:18

I think Bear is a nice name.

Let's face it MUCH worse has been suggested ^^ up there.

Having said that I can understand how you have been affected by others reactions I very nearly changed my DS's name because my mum didn't like it.

Queenofthehill · 04/03/2012 18:18

Bear makes me think immediately of the short, sticky, hairy members of the gay community. I do live in Laandan so not sure how common knowledge this term is elsewhere. I probably wouldn't choose it tbh.

dontrememberme · 04/03/2012 18:16

Just asked my 12 yr old & he said OMG, no way that is so cruel, imagine at school everyone will take the pee out of him.
I spose he wont hat his mum but definatly wont be pleased why dont they just give him a normal name to use aswell