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Original poster

Name bullying

58 replies

Janoschi · 04/04/2012 10:27

Just thought I'd ask this question, seeing as the subject of potential bullying crops up in nearly every post.

Do you think it's actually the case that a child would be bullied for their name these days, considering the wide range of names now on the public radar thanks to TV, Hollywood etc and the greater cultural diversity around us?

Are the worries based on how things were at school for you? Which is 20, 30 years out of date.

Or are kids still being bullied over their names?

Just interested!

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OriginalJamie · 04/04/2012 13:54

I've not experienced it in the years I've had children. But we live in Central London and there's a vast array of names, many not from Britain.

I have a very unusual name - was bullied a little on the basis of it being perceived to be "posh" (in Essex). This, I'm sure would have been a non-issue where I live now

However, as I've said in a recent thread, people do have preconceived idea about you on the basis of your name. I also find it quite tiresome to have to spell my name and often explain it (even though it's nice for people to show an interest). I have had many people assume it's a "foreign" name, and it has struck me that I may have missed out on jobs, or been invited for interview, on the basis of that, given that research has suggested that even large companies show bias against people with African or Asian-sounding names when looking at CVs

I'd just urge people to think about a name in the long-term - cute names are great for babies, and also to think about how your flight of fancy will impact on your child

lockets · 04/04/2012 13:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GooseyLoosey · 04/04/2012 13:36

Not overtly bullied, but I think they may be judged on the basis of them. Not sure that children would notice, but adults do.

pictish · 04/04/2012 13:36

I don't think it's as much of a problem now at all, no.

Original poster
Janoschi · 04/04/2012 13:34

God, that's a bit pathetic!

Hmm indeed!

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Faverolles · 04/04/2012 13:20

I don't think it's the children who pick up on a weird or different name, but their parents.
IME, children take names on face value, it's just another childs name (iyswim)
However, I have heard really nasty comments from parents (whose dc usually have very run of the mill names) in front of the children, about their friends names Hmm

Original poster
Janoschi · 04/04/2012 13:12

That's what I was suspecting but didn't actually have much knowledge. I do run art workshops in Y1 and Y2 primary schools sometimes and have come across classes full of Owens, Connors and Olivias but usually with a weird name thrown in for good measure and they don't seem to be treated any different. The ones who got comments were the ones who smelled or pinched or trashed other kids work - social stuff basically.

I have a weird name and ws never bullied for it either. But there seems to be this fear of giving babies names that will invite bullying and some posters seem upset that they can't use a favourite name because of this... just wondering if this is actually not something to stress over too much.

OP posts:
Badgerina · 04/04/2012 12:51

I don't think kids bully over names any more. They are more likely to bully over academic prowess or lack thereof, and/or the wrong trainers in my experience (primary teacher, and DS is in Y2).

DS has been teased for a) being too clever and b) not being one of the "tough" boys and c) talking about Lego and Doctor Who too much (!)

We live in London where children from many cultures have some wild, weird and wonderful sounding names. Name-bullying just doesn't happen. In other areas it might be different though.