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Original poster

Boy's name Tiger

144 replies

MissesandMuddles · 28/04/2015 16:15

I'm 28 weeks pregnant with ds3. Ds1 and ds2 both have unusual names. I like Atticus for ds3 but husband isn't so keen. The only name we both like and can agree on so far is Tiger but I'm worried it's a little too out there.

What are people's thoughts?

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madreloco · 30/04/2015 19:40

Maybe you'd have a better one. You're pretty naive if you think no-one cares.

roslyndee · 30/04/2015 19:32

I work in exec search. Clients don't give a fig if someone's name is weird, or 'stupid' as some have so charmingly put it.

roslyndee · 30/04/2015 19:31

Er...I have a first class degree, an MA and a good, senior-level job in a professional field. So no, it hasn't held me back.

Original poster
MissesandMuddles · 30/04/2015 19:25

Wow, I really didn't expect to create such controversy!

I (obviously) don't agree that it's a ridiculous name but its eye-opening to read the opinions of others.

I also don't agree that an unusual name could hold a person back. If anything I feel it can do the opposite. Before becoming a sahm I was involved in awarding training contracts in an industry where competition was extremely fierce. An unusual name would not unfavourably influence the progress of a candidate, if anything it made them stand out of a very long list of well used and widely known names.

I'm not picking an unusual name to be brave or because I feel I have anything to prove. I like unusual names. I like my unusual name. For me, I'd really not like to be one of two or three others with the same name in a school class or workplace.

OP posts:
madreloco · 30/04/2015 19:10

You don't know that.

roslyndee · 30/04/2015 19:03

I have a 'stupid' name, and it hasn't held me back.

4candles · 30/04/2015 18:48

My the first thought was The Archers, just don't do it.

madreloco · 30/04/2015 18:44

It's not arbitrary, like all language there are rules to naming people. John is a name, Table is not. Mary is a name, Flobdobble is not.

And whether you like it or not, giving your kid a stupid not-a-name tells people a lot about you, and by extension them. Stupid names hold kids back .

roslyndee · 30/04/2015 18:30

Pretty snobby comment there Lynn.

Lynnm63 · 30/04/2015 18:21

Sorry to be a naysayer but ...no. Great as a nickname.
My test would be in court is it likely to be the judges or defendants name.

roslyndee · 30/04/2015 18:07

Love Tiger! Don't know why people are so up themselves about your names. It's only some completely arbitrary chance that made 'Jack' or whatever normal and 'Tiger' weird.

Hakluyt · 30/04/2015 17:59

"A name can help define a character rather than be the opposite. Its not something to live up to as such, it will have more influence on the way others react to him. "

Yeah, because people hastily suppressing a smile every time you give your name is soooooooo character building............

VivaLeBeaver · 30/04/2015 17:53

Every time there's a thread on MN about "the weirdest name you've heard a kid called" I mention the Tiger I met. He'd be about 15yo now.

reuset · 30/04/2015 17:51

Shock Tyger-Jack Though with Tiger/Tyger the hyphen doesn't feel quite out of place... Wink

Interestingly Tiger is more popular name for girls than boys

reuset · 30/04/2015 17:48

Pshaw, I'm not stuck in a 1970s name warp (addressed to no one particular person).

With 5 babies named Tiger (and even if you include the Tygers), that still makes it a comparatively unusual name, even by today's standards. Though I don't have a beef with unusual names, I have one with silly names.

And though there does seem to be a wider variety of names amongst children today, rare and common, the silly names still stand out and for all the wrong reasons.

FunkyPeacock · 30/04/2015 17:18

Yup - a combination of made up, misspelled & hyphenated would be the ultimate cringefest!

Tyger-Jak?

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2015 16:56

For me personally it's the completely made up names, or ridiculous hyphenated creations that make me a bit confused

If I met a Tiger then I would assume his parents were boho/hippies/arty types but I wouldn't have any negative thoughts

I think the same way.

I'd add spelt in a daft way to the cringe list too. So for me Tiger yes, but Tyger is a no.

FunkyPeacock · 30/04/2015 16:50

Yes I totally get your point sqoosh and would be inclined to agree with you with regard a lot of yuneek names!

For me personally it's the completely made up names, or ridiculous hyphenated creations that make me a bit Confused

If I met a Tiger then I would assume his parents were boho/hippies/arty types but I wouldn't have any negative thoughts

squoosh · 30/04/2015 16:37

Which 'yuneek' names make you raise an eyebrow? From what I can see they get shot down pretty quickly.

squoosh · 30/04/2015 16:37

You mightn't think Tiger and Zowie are comparable but a lot of people would. My idea is more that if someone is so proud of choosing a 'brave' name for their baby they should be brave enough to try it for themselves first.

FunkyPeacock · 30/04/2015 16:33

I don't think Tiger is comparable to Zowie though

Tiger Woods has already 'normalised' it to some degree and it is a recognisable word so no problems with spelling or pronunciation

Both my DC have fairly normal names so I am not personally a huge fan of 'out there' names but Tiger wouldn't make me raise an eyebrow like many of the yuneek names mentioned on MN do

squoosh · 30/04/2015 16:24

I think the best idea for someone who wants to call their child Tiger or Zowie etc. is to spend a month introducing yourself to all the new people you meet as that name. Try it on for size so to speak.

SevTSnape · 30/04/2015 16:21

Tiger Woods anyone?

Merse · 30/04/2015 16:20

Er - The Archers anyone???? Sorry but just makes me think of Matt (a.k.a. 'Tiger')

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2015 16:20

That's the thing I see. We carry our own prejudices with names based on the era we grow up in whilst failing to see how our children live in a very different world where names are incredibly diverse and different.