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Baby names

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

Original poster

Genuinely problematic names

137 replies

AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 11:50

Starting this thread for names which are genuinely problematic.
The purpose is, a quick reference for people to check is the name they are thinking of on the list, and also as a reference for justifiable reasons to advise against using a name.
To be included, there needs to already be a thread on the name, where the case against it was made clearly.

OP posts:
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Hortonhearsadoctorwho · 14/11/2021 18:00

I like name meanings and when my family member named her daughter Lola I felt so awful that it meant ‘sorrows’

The problem is there are so many names that you can likely find a negative link for most.

toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 18:00

The name data on Percy is that its in the top 400 and rising quite quickly. There have been the best part of a thousand Percys born over the last 20 years, not counting Percivals who likely use Percy as well. I don't think a name with that much use can be called 'genuinely problematic' regardless of sweets.

CoconutQueen · 14/11/2021 17:57

@toastofthetown

Peony's hat
Peony's coat
Peony's rash
Peony's problem
Peony's caught on the zipper

Just say them out loud Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 14/11/2021 17:49

Alexa, for obvious reasons.

There are threads where it's generally deemed ok. There was one I remember (but can't find) where the OP was wondering if they'd made a mistake and should rename their baby, the replies mostly said it was fine.

Topseyt · 14/11/2021 17:44

I imagine Percy is problematic because of a) Percy Pig sweets from M & S (I do like the sweets) and b) it certainly used to be a name that little boys gave to their willies.

Alexa. I like it but probably wouldn't use it now because of the association with the Amazon spy. Though you can apparently change the wake-up word for your Alexa.

toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 17:42

@CoconutQueen

Peony.

Because of ANYTHING you would ever say about anything that belongs to them.

@CoconutQueen I don't know what you mean by that. I've heard people dislike Peony because of the "pee on me" which I think is stupid. Peony has been ranked in England and Wales for the past ten years, which for me means that it is usable. I actually quite like Peony and I think it works with the modern trend of unusual flower names and nature names.
toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 17:37

I kind of agree with there being no arbitration or agreement for what is "genuinely problematic" outside of a few names like Adolf or Ian if your surname is Huntley. Outside that it's pretty subjective. It's interesting that the OP's criteria for this thread is thread it was discussed on because to me the only names that are totally unusable are names which no-one is considering anyway.

I also don't know why the OP is the determining factor what warrants inclusion in what I thought was a crowd sourced thread. I think Dick as a standalone name is unusable (I can't get worked up about diminutives as they are easily changed) and that's backed up by the fact that there haven't been enough Dicks count in the stats for over 20 years. Personally I think Dick is worse than Myra though personally I wouldn't use either. And I guess that's because ultimately what is "problematic" or "unusable" is really really personal.

WallaceinAnderland · 14/11/2021 17:33

@MissMarplesGoddaughter

Percy
Why?

Alexa, for obvious reasons.

CoconutQueen · 14/11/2021 17:32

Peony.

Because of ANYTHING you would ever say about anything that belongs to them.

Ikeameatballs · 14/11/2021 17:25

And you are the arbiter of “genuinely problematic” because?

Palavah · 14/11/2021 17:23

Why does there need to be a thread already on the specific name? Who os the arbitrator of what is usable or not?

Synchrony · 14/11/2021 17:00

Fanny
Because it's a common euphemism.

Synchrony · 14/11/2021 16:59

Candida
Because it's a fungal disease

Courtier · 14/11/2021 16:51

Oops sorry didn't have a link

Courtier · 14/11/2021 16:51

Gaylord.

Original poster
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:22

Isis doesn't actually have a thread explaining that it is currently the name of a terrorist organisation, only this thread assuming that everyone knows that already:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2610244-Isis

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:16

Enoch

Connected to Enoch Powell, a politician who made a notoriously racist speech.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2547163-Enoch

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:14

When you suggest a name, please can you put the name by itself, then the reason, and then a link to the thread that it was discussed under.

The reasons why Fred and Rose are still acceptable, while Myra isn't, are discussed on the Myra thread.

My feeling is that Donald is not unusable, although perhaps it should have a caution attached to it.

I don't think Lana or Dick are bad enough to warrant inclusion.

OP posts:
MissMarplesGoddaughter · 14/11/2021 13:06

Percy

Starseeking · 14/11/2021 13:04

@SingleHandSue

Michael, if your surname is Hunt.

I used to work with one. He was ALWAYS Michael.

FlickerBeat · 14/11/2021 12:53

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

It really is a nice name. Such a shame.

LaBellina · 14/11/2021 12:52

Dick

SlamLikeAGuitar · 14/11/2021 12:50

Lana.

I’m dyslexic, and all I see when I see it written down is “anal” Blush
Lovely name to say, horrendous to read Blush

toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 12:44

Potentially Enoch. It’s unusable for me, but I have seen more interest in it over the last few years.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/11/2021 12:42

@Hardybloodyhar

If the duck didn't already do it, the name Donald is officially dead to the world.
I have a lovely colleague called Donald. 50s, yonger than the duck.