Should you not use your fav name due to fears of bullying in future?

I have an unusual name for my age group, and I longed to be Sarah C or something. My sister had possibly the most popular name of the mid 70s and was there were 8 in her school year, three of whom had the same surname initial.

Strangely, my name is pretty mainstream now.

Find 3 or4 similar styled names, put your chosen one in the list and see if anybody says 'ooh, they are all ok apart from that one'...?

Gerald?

No one's saying that a name could automatically lead to bullying Babykr or denying that other factors come into play when a child's picked out.

There's a world of difference between having an unusual name, or an uncommon one and being given a name that meets with unanimous negativity.

The OP won't say so we have no idea where in the range between Hitler or Cruella and Buzz Lightyear or Fanjorina her chosen name might be.

Well I am speaking from experience floggingmolly and CocktailQueen I was bullied all through school, severely bullied, it wasn't ever relevant to my name, apart from the occasion i overheard a classmates mother making a rude remark about my name. Giving your child a name outside of the top 100 isn't a sure fire way to get your child bullied. Children don't know what names are normal and different, unless you're naming your child toothbrush or racecar. The only problems you will encounter is from grown adults, mainly women!

As others have said, it really depends on how 'out there' it is. I don't think in general kids these days see an unusual name as a reason to bully - they are probably less conservative than we are, and certainly much less than our parents' generation, when it comes to names. I still wouldn't call a child Fanny, or Titty, or Gay (not an uncommon name for Irish men in the 50+ age-group). But as long as the name isn't one with an obvious other meaning, I'd probably go for it.

But please tell us the name first.

I disagree, babykr

How about using it as a middle name so they could choose to use the unusual name in the future if they wish.

I am also intrigued to know what the name is.

What a pile of horseshit, Babykr

I don't want to share the name because everytime I mention someone says something negative

There's your answer.
Bullying doesn't strengthen, it can mess up your self confidence and sense of self worth for the rest of your life.

The whole unusual name leads to bullying is BS!!!! If a child is going to be bullied it will be bullied regardles of whether they're called tom or buzz it will be because their coat is a different colour or because their lunchbox is different to everyone else's or they don't watch the same tv shows as the other kids. If you like a name then use it! I have an "unusual" name and am so glad I was never Chloe.B or Beth.H at school. Give your child the name that you like! They will thank you for it! I have learnt many life lessons through having an "unusual" name, like it is good to be individual and it is ok to do in life what you want to do rather then what society encourages!

Can I just also point ouy Zowie Bowie changed his name to Duncan.. If you would think someone could carry off a strange name it would be David Bowie's son...

Another if you can't post it on an anonymous forum you can't name a child it.

My DD's name is fairly unusual for a girl. Much more common as a boys name in the UK. I was told when she was 2 days old by a family member that I was setting her up for a lifetime of bullying. Shes 3 now and we still get the odd look when we tell people her name but I couldn't imagine her being called anything else. I did spend probably the first year of her life wondering if we should have named her something else, though.
Is the name you've chosen an unusual name or an unheard of made up name? I understand your reasoning for not wanting to share the name, but as has been pointed out, if you are too embarrassed or worried to share on an anonymous forum are you really going to feel comfortable shouting this name across the playground/park/ wherever?

Any name can be a target for bullying.

George - Georgie Porgie. - implying fat child
William - Willy

Also, name meaning.change over time.
Eg. Adrian - nn Aids - not the best nickname to have during the AIDS situation in the 80s

We considered Leo but didn't because Tony Blair named his child Leo. I thought it would become popular, but it didn't.

I think if you love the name, and it's not silly crazy, more unusual rather than weird, you should go for it. I think also if it doesn't have a wacky spelling, then that's another plus.

My eldest son has a boy in his year with a name from the Middle Ages. He doesn't get bullied, it's just his name.

What's the bloody name??

I dunno - I don't think an unusual name leads to bullying. It will just be an Achilles heel IF nasty children want to target your child anyway. If bullies want to bully they'll find something stupid to pick on.

I live in London so unusual names aren't really worth raising an eyebrow over though.

Saying that, I am eternally glad that my dad stopped my mum from calling me Fanny.

Don't give your child a ridiculous name and hope any bullying builds character?

Ooh OK - does that mean you can tell us now, the suspense is killing me!

Bullying strengthens?????!
You don't have any kids yet do you?
Don't do it to yourself. Once you do have kids you'll spend your whole life trying to prevent bullying, not encourage it.
Jeez.

What's the flipping name already.

It's too difficult without knowing the name.

Shirley or Darthvader, who no one could sanction, is a bit different to names you could possibly justify Burt (I know a couple of Berties and its actually quite ok), Zebedee (Zeb is a very cool NN) etc.

You may get more warmth here than you anticipate OP, but it depends on the name.

Of you won't even post on an anonymous website for fear of embarrassment how will you be able to introduce him in real life?

If you're saying to yourself that bullying will make them stronger, then you really shouldn't do it.

What's the name?

If you are having doubts and the best people have come up with to quell them is that bullying can strengthen a child (it never does) then that should tell you something.

I don't think names cause bullying per se, but if a child is bullied then a name can give the bullies extra ammunition and believe me, it is a special kind of horror if you grow up not even being able to say your name without fear.

If you are reluctant to even say what it is because you are afraid of a negative reaction then I think you have your answer!

This is persons name, not an opportunity for you to be creative or a means by which to try and reflect a trend or whim of yours. Your child will be an individual because of their character and personality - let that be what defines them, rather than a silly name.