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Baby names

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Original poster

Bow for a girl?

155 replies

stacestation · 31/05/2022 20:54

What do people think of this? Have you ever heard of this being used as a full first name?

Woman from school derides popular names. Apparently her daughter has a unique 'name' though to call it a name is a bit of a stretch as I recently discovered the girl is called Bow, as in a hair bow, not bow and arrow.

The unfortunate part is that the area they're in all the local accents, including their own, pronounce it as Bore. I feel sorry for the poor girl. I can't mention the middle name as that would be outing, but that's even worse. The poor girl, it doesn't aspire to much.

OP posts:
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SzeliSecond · 01/06/2022 16:41

Bow will sound like Bore in East Lancs and West Yorkshire amongst others. Think of how 'No' is pronounced in a Yorkshire accent

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 14:15

SummaLuvin · 01/06/2022 14:09

OP, who was your tutor in the art of melodrama?

Self taught 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 14:14

The middle name, which I won't mention as it would be identifying, is fairly standard, except they knowingly pronounce it incorrectly, saying 'we pronounce it like this'. I assume they will have taught their daughter to use this incorrect pronunciation.

That is an unkindness in my opinion, especially in conjunction with the first name problems.

OP posts:
SummaLuvin · 01/06/2022 14:09

OP, who was your tutor in the art of melodrama?

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 14:07

heavyistheheed · 01/06/2022 13:51

She can't really use her middle name as that has a massively unique incorrect pronunciation.

You really can't see how you're coming across as unkind ???

The parents don't have my sympathy. Only the child who has to live with, and forever explain, their thoughtless name decisions.

OP posts:
schnubbins · 01/06/2022 13:56

I know it as a surname and spelled Bowe.

heavyistheheed · 01/06/2022 13:51

She can't really use her middle name as that has a massively unique incorrect pronunciation.

You really can't see how you're coming across as unkind ???

bigbootyjulie · 01/06/2022 12:43

I have encountered Beau as a name for a boy - I believe it's mainly used in the American South? There was also an actress named Bo Derek.

I can't say I love the Bow spelling (it's odd) but I don't hate the name.

Figgygal · 01/06/2022 11:32

Her parents are idiots
Poor kid

easyday · 01/06/2022 11:31

Little Bo Peep lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them... hasn't anyone heard this nursery rhyme?
She's even a character in Toy Story!
I'd prefer Bo rather than Bow. It does sound like it's a nickname.

SmellsLikeMiddleAgeSpirit · 01/06/2022 11:18

It's not a nice name, is it?
Bo is just about OK (if it works with the local accent!) and Beau is masculine.

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 10:49

I'm sure your child's name is fine, though I'm
curious now!

Yes, I don't think she'll come to actual harm. But there's already been some mild bemusement at the pronunciation, 'etymology', in this case a hair bow, and 'what were the parents thinking' type of thing at the school.

The child herself has the broad accent and introduces herself as 'bore'. I think that's borderline cruel. Fine if you're staying in the locale, and talking to locals, they'll know what you mean, but the rest of us won't (look at this thread here where people haven't heard of this accent). I feel for someone having to navigate life with that burden and explain. She can't really use her middle name as that has a massively unique incorrect pronunciation.

OP posts:
Cryingintherain99 · 01/06/2022 10:05

I wouldn't waste time worrying about someone else's name to be honest.
It doesn't effect you, and the child is not going to come to any harm through it.
Children these days are accepting of the names of their classmates, whereas years ago they would have been bullied.
Everyone has such wide and varied choices these days, that kids don't seem to bat an eyelid. Adults are a different story all together, however.
I say this as a mum who had my youngest child's name pulled apart (by adults).
It got to the point where I almost changed his name, but I'm so glad I didn't. It suits him perfectly and he loves his name too.
It's not an unusual name or a different spelling, but it's one of those names that gets way too much hate.

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 09:39

Yes, Bo spelling is popular in its countries of origin, if you're in Sweden, for example it's fine, but it's by far the least popular 'beau' name statistically, in the UK, due to 'B.O.' That's usually something that comes up in past discussion threads about Bo.

OP posts:
caterpillarhater · 01/06/2022 09:21

It's usually Bo for a girl or Beau is a boys name. But I imagine Bow is preferable to B.O 😂 Nothing surprises me these days !

babyjellyfish · 01/06/2022 08:26

Bow and Beau are both awful. Poor girl.

I know a middle aged woman called Bo, which I always thought was cool, but it's a nickname and has absolutely nothing to do with her actual given name.

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 02:44

You wanted us all to snigger along with you about these ridiculous parents naming their poor child Bow.
I think I've made it clear I don't find it funny in the slightest. My sympathy, quite rightly, lies with the child, as I've already said - if in doubt read the thread again.

OP posts:
2ndTimeRound90 · 01/06/2022 02:39

OP is saying it's pronounced as 'bore' because OP must have an accent which doesn't pronounce the 'r' sound (a non-rhotic accent). I'm assuming they mean 'bow' as in how someone from e.g. Yorkshire would pronounce it

heavyistheheed · 01/06/2022 02:28

I'm not trying to be unkind honestly.

Stop lying to yourself, you are being unkind, we can all see it. You wanted us all to snigger along with you about these ridiculous parents naming their poor child Bow.

Are you the name police by the way? I saw you decreed Bo and Beau to be "proper names" but not Bow. Who made you the judge?!

NotMushroomInEre · 01/06/2022 01:46

I don't get this. I pronounce 'bow' in bow and arrow and in hair bow as the same. They both sound like Beau to me - which I think is a lovely name for a girl or boy. The other way I'd say it would be as in bowing to someone - this wouldn't be the way I'd want to pronounce it. How the frig have they decided to pronounce it 'bore'?

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 01:37

It's a discussion about a name, @DarkMa
I make no apologies for thinking the parents thoughtless in not considering the implications of the choices they make. You'll find many similar discussion threads in the baby name section, with much more robust opinions and replies.

OP posts:
AmandaMirandaPanda · 01/06/2022 01:35

AuntTwacky · 01/06/2022 01:09

Isabeau sounds ridiculous!

Thanks so much for pointing that out! I'm busy furiously scoring Isabeau off of my baby name list and adding on.... ummm, "Twacky", instead. Genius!
🙄😝😴

DarkMa · 01/06/2022 01:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
stacestation · 01/06/2022 01:13

AuntTwacky · 01/06/2022 01:09

Isabeau sounds ridiculous!

Haven't you ever heard of it? Queen Isabeau being a famous namesake. It's an old name with a long history of use.

OP posts:
carefullycourageous · 01/06/2022 01:13

How does Isabeau sound any more 'ridiculous' than Isabel?