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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Naming our baby after a natural disaster?

32 replies

bellowbullow · 08/12/2015 11:43

I am pregnant - don't know the sex. My DH and I have long been settled on the name of Eden for our first born daughter. We both love the name, as well as the nn Edie.

In addition, my DH grew up in the Eden Valley, in Cumbria, and we feel that the name is a nod to a beautiful part of the world, which means a lot to both of us. We don't live in the area, but have close family and friends that do.

You've probably seen that, over the past few days, the River Eden has massively flooded and devastated thousands of homes in the Eden Valley (Carlisle, Appleby etc.). Those closest to us have not been flooded, but we have many acquaintances who have been deeply affected and whose lives have been shattered as a result.

I suppose my question is, would you continue to use the name? Baby is not due for a few months, so a little way off, but from past experience, we know that many people will still not be back in their homes by then. Would it be bad taste/bad luck?

To be honest, I am reluctant to look for another name. The flooding does not detract from our affection for the Eden Valley, and in many ways reinforces the wild, natural beauty of the area.

What do you think?

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Original poster

bellowbullow · 10/12/2015 16:33

Thanks everyone. You've convinced us not to worry - we will use the name if we have a girl.

SpendSpendSpend - We know that Eden can also be used as a boys name. It doesn't worry us. I think that it was used for boys more in the past, but the number of baby girls named Eden outnumbers boys by quite a way nowadays (407 girls/141 boys in 2014). As you can probably tell, I've done a LOT of thinking about this.

OP posts:

ClancyMoped · 10/12/2015 12:08

Overthinking not over thing

ClancyMoped · 10/12/2015 12:07

It's a lovely name

You are massively over thing this.

GemmaFitz92 · 10/12/2015 00:24

Hi!
I'm from just outside Cockermouth, Cumbria not far from Carlisle. I don't see why anyone would think any less of you if you chose to name your daughter Eden. I think it's a lovely name tbh.
Go with your heart, after all it's your daughter not there's xx

susurration · 09/12/2015 21:10

Tbh, I hadn't even realised that it was the River Eden that had flooded. Would have made zero connection.

SparklyTinselTits · 09/12/2015 07:58

If hear the name Eden, I always think of it in the biblical sense rather than the valley it will be fine x

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 09/12/2015 07:54

I knew rivers had flooded... But I didn't realise we had a river Eden!

My dd is Eden, and all the comments on her name are lovely!

CumbriaMum91 · 09/12/2015 03:43

As you've tell by my username I'm in amongst it all and I wouldn't have associated the name in the slightest so don't worry about it even a little. No-one Cumbrian will think it's insensitive x

bailey23 · 08/12/2015 22:34

I live slap bang in the middle of all the recent flooding, luckily I haven't been personally affected although I know plenty who have, but I think it's fine to call your DC Eden. It's a lovely name and I don't see it as being insensitive at all.
From what I've witnessed these last few days, the flooding shouldn't define the county now, it should be the amazing community spirit and generosity that does. It's been incredible watching everybody pull together and I'm so proud to live in this area

CocktailQueen · 08/12/2015 22:32

Eden is not a boy's name!!! At least, not solely. I would think it was a girl's name rather than a boy's name.

SpendSpendSpend · 08/12/2015 22:16

Eden is a boys name.

I think people will automatically think shes male if they see her name written down.

dd has a name that is much more common in boys and it pisses me off when prescription lables have master written on them instead of miss. The sex on the prescription clearly states F not M and yet they still type master on the prescription label.

But other than that i dont think people will associate the name with the town that flooded, but more with the garden of eden

CocktailQueen · 08/12/2015 22:10

Can see what you mean, op, especially as you have such close links to the area and people will identify your baby with the river, but honestly, I think it's fine. And it is a lovely name!

regenerationfez · 08/12/2015 22:09

Eden is lovely. I'd think of the Garden of Eden, rather than a natural disaster. Edie is lovely too.

Lolimax · 08/12/2015 22:07

I thought I was coming on here to find you were about to call your new baby tsunami or monsoon. I think Eden is lovely.

Belle9985 · 08/12/2015 22:05

Eden is really nice - go with it!

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 08/12/2015 22:03

I thought you were going for Katrina.
I think Eden will be fine and as for friends in the area, new beginnings, hope etc often comes with a newborn.

DramaAlpaca · 08/12/2015 21:57

In the nicest possible way, you're overthinking it. Eden is fine, a very nice name. I'm from that area (but don't live there now) and wouldn't have an issue with it at all.

mmmminx · 08/12/2015 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oysterbabe · 08/12/2015 21:49

I love the name Eden. We were talking about it as a potential boys name actually. I think it could work for either.

BondJayneBond · 08/12/2015 16:55

I think you're overthinking this.

Yes, people living near the River Eden will naturally associate the name Eden with the River. But they'll have loads of non-flood associations for the river as well. Walks by the river, scenic views of the river, etc etc. They're not likely to automatically think of devastation if they hear Eden.

If you were naming your child the same name as the storm, now that would be a different matter....

Original poster

bellowbullow · 08/12/2015 16:11

Thanks for all the responses. I don't think that people in general will associate the name with the floods. The river probably isn't that well known across the country, even with the recent news coverage.

I am more worried that our friends and family who live in the area, and who have (to an extent) been affected by the flooding will think that the name choice is insensitive or in some way insulting to those who are suffering. They will immediately link the name to the river/valley.

Probably overthinking...

OP posts:

ThePartyArtist · 08/12/2015 12:40

I think people are more likely to think of the Garden of Eden!

Pootles2010 · 08/12/2015 12:12

Agree with others - Eden is the name of the valley, not the disaster! That's Desmond as others have said . It's a lovely name.

BadlyBehavedShoppingTrolley · 08/12/2015 12:11

haha - not the only one I see!!!

BadlyBehavedShoppingTrolley · 08/12/2015 12:11

I don't think people will make the connection at all. I came onto the thread expecting to see that you wanted to call your baby Desmond.

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