Page 2 | Please help me to make a decision for my son's name

ByLovingRoseSloth · 2024-03-25T14:22:36+00:00

I named my son Oscar, but I regretted shortly after learning the people's opinions of this name online as some people associate it with Oscar Mayer Wieners, Oscar the Grouch, the fish breed and the award, I am in UK and my son is 4 months old now, will my son be teased at school on any of this associations? I am very worried about this, if I change his name before he turns 1, does he need to declare his original name in future? Any problems for him to use the amended birth certificate? I am so depressed. Do you think do a name change is the best solution? If So, any name you could recommend? I am afraid I would make another mistake, please help:

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 17:13

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 15:47

Colin fish and Colin the caterpillar. Otherwise nothing other than it's a bit dated.

I never thought Colin is fish, personally I think Colin was my teacher and an author of children's study book. Marlin sounds like a fish to me but I think it can also be a name to inspire children of its speed and to love the sea I guess. Some famous people named Marlin.

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Bluepandasp · 26/03/2024 16:47

I’ve just looked on Reddit out of interest. Those with ‘negative’ associations eg ‘the grouch’ (I wouldn’t even say that’s negative though) all seem to be based in the US. That will be because it’s not very common in the US, so when they hear the name that might be the first thing that comes to mind. To use pp’s example, it’s a bit like if someone in the uk named their child Chandler, all we think is friends. Whereas Joey, you wouldn’t think that because most people probably know a Joseph.
In the UK though Oscar is super common and I can guarantee that almost everyone will know someone by the name of Oscar. So when they hear the name, thats what they will think of. E.g my first thought when I hear Oscar is the nice boy in my dc’s class. Having a more common name stops negative associations in a good way!

martinisforeveryone · 26/03/2024 16:30

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 15:47

Colin fish and Colin the caterpillar. Otherwise nothing other than it's a bit dated.

Colin from Accounts, that was a very funny Australian series (Iplayer) and Colin was so sweet.

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 16:20

Most children will probably know of the caterpillar. Not many will know oscar mayer wieners, Oscar the Grouch or oscar fish.

KnitnNatterAuntie · 26/03/2024 15:59

Oh yes . . . I should have known about Colin the Caterpillar!!!!😂

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 15:47

Colin fish and Colin the caterpillar. Otherwise nothing other than it's a bit dated.

KnitnNatterAuntie · 26/03/2024 15:35

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 15:33

@ByLovingRoseSloth , go and have a chat with the GP or HV.
It's not like you called your baby Kermit, Gonzo or Colin.

You've chosen a name that thousands of other parents have named their baby boys.

From your associations I'd only thought of the Oscars, but the other Oscars are Goldman (I'm old), Wilde and de la Renta.

What's wrong with Colin?

FayCarew · 26/03/2024 15:33

@ByLovingRoseSloth , go and have a chat with the GP or HV.
It's not like you called your baby Kermit, Gonzo or Colin.

You've chosen a name that thousands of other parents have named their baby boys.

From your associations I'd only thought of the Oscars, but the other Oscars are Goldman (I'm old), Wilde and de la Renta.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 15:18

InTheRainOnATrain · 26/03/2024 14:00

Love The Office (US version) and still didn’t make that association. In fairness Oscar is probably one of the most normal ie least insane characters in it! And you hear Oscar as a name often enough so that it’s not just associated with one random TV character from a show that went off air about 15 years ago. I don’t think you hear ‘Michael’ or ‘Andy’ and go oh yes the US version of the office either, maybe if someone named their baby ‘Dwight’ you would (they’re all other characters) but that’s only because it’s a much more obscure name. Like you get loads of Joeys but Chandler can only be from Friends…
Oscar is a great name with no strong associations OP!

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Thank you, after seeing all of your opinions I realised that I should stop thinking immaturely, thank you, it is actually not that bad.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 15:05

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 13:36

No, funnily enough. I did watch the original UK “The Office”, but I haven’t seen the US version. Is there an Oscar in that?

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I am not sure, I only saw some people made comments in Reddit.

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InTheRainOnATrain · 26/03/2024 14:00

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 13:36

No, funnily enough. I did watch the original UK “The Office”, but I haven’t seen the US version. Is there an Oscar in that?

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Love The Office (US version) and still didn’t make that association. In fairness Oscar is probably one of the most normal ie least insane characters in it! And you hear Oscar as a name often enough so that it’s not just associated with one random TV character from a show that went off air about 15 years ago. I don’t think you hear ‘Michael’ or ‘Andy’ and go oh yes the US version of the office either, maybe if someone named their baby ‘Dwight’ you would (they’re all other characters) but that’s only because it’s a much more obscure name. Like you get loads of Joeys but Chandler can only be from Friends…
Oscar is a great name with no strong associations OP!

Channellingsophistication · 26/03/2024 13:45

Think Oscar is a perfectly normal lovely name. I watched Sesame Street as a kid of the 80s I don’t even remember an Oscar!

Remind yourself of why you liked it in the first place.

A quick Google has revealed the name in Gaelic means “ loving”. I think that’s lovely.

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 13:36

ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 12:41

I guess you might also know The office or the odd couples?

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No, funnily enough. I did watch the original UK “The Office”, but I haven’t seen the US version. Is there an Oscar in that?

Ellerby83 · 26/03/2024 13:15

All names have a connection to something else. Three of the connections you mentioned to Oscar aren't well known and the movie award connection is actually quite a positive one. Its a nice normal popular name.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 13:15

WoodBurningStov · 26/03/2024 12:42

Whatever name you choose will have some kind of negative connotation if you look hard enough. I love the name Oscar by the way.

My dd goes to school with an Oscar and she's never said anything negative about the name

I agree, it is just a human's name, depending on how does he wear it.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 13:12

KnitnNatterAuntie · 26/03/2024 12:49

No more than one of my family who shares his name with Andy Pandy & Prince Andrew

Most of us can find something negative about our name if we look hard enough . . . . . .

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We should think people grow into the same name but in different ways. If he is good enough and loved by people surrounding him no matter what name he has.

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KnitnNatterAuntie · 26/03/2024 12:49

ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 12:34

I am not sure if one day he googles his name and find those associations, what his thoughts will be, will this lower his self-esteem?

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No more than one of my family who shares his name with Andy Pandy & Prince Andrew

Most of us can find something negative about our name if we look hard enough . . . . . .

WoodBurningStov · 26/03/2024 12:42

Whatever name you choose will have some kind of negative connotation if you look hard enough. I love the name Oscar by the way.

My dd goes to school with an Oscar and she's never said anything negative about the name

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 12:41

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 10:02

I loved Sesame Street as a child, but I am knocking 50 - but a lot of people in the UK of my age didn’t watch it and my kids wouldn’t have heard of it at all. And I wouldn’t associate the name Oscar with “the Grouch”, as it’s a pretty popular name for boys. Nothing to worry about at all with Oscar - honestly.

I guess you might also know The office or the odd couples?

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 12:34

Blobfishy · 25/03/2024 18:04

Tbh I knew there was an Oscar fish, and I'm not into fish in any way, but it's not something I've ever thought of with my Nephew (he's an Oscar!). There will be associations with most names though- whether it's linked to animals, actors, crimes, bad weather (my name has been used to name a hurricane in the past.. perhaps you can guess!).

I am not sure if one day he googles his name and find those associations, what his thoughts will be, will this lower his self-esteem?

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martinisforeveryone · 26/03/2024 12:33

If you Google any name you might find negative connotations, even serious ones, say a serial killer or something. You also can’t future proof. Look how Karen’s come to be used.

To be honest, the associations you’re worrying about are a big stretch even now and won’t occur to most people.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 12:29

martinisforeveryone · 26/03/2024 12:22

Oh please don’t think I thought you were putting yourself first. I meant just because you’ve got some misgivings at the moment, your son probably won’t grow up to share them. Oscar’s a lovely name, enjoy him.

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I am not sure if one day he googles his name and find those associations, what his thoughts will be, will this lower his self-esteem?

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Ellerby83 · 26/03/2024 12:28

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 10:02

I loved Sesame Street as a child, but I am knocking 50 - but a lot of people in the UK of my age didn’t watch it and my kids wouldn’t have heard of it at all. And I wouldn’t associate the name Oscar with “the Grouch”, as it’s a pretty popular name for boys. Nothing to worry about at all with Oscar - honestly.

Im also 50 and i remember Sesame Street being on but I never watched it, i don't think it was that popular in the UK.

martinisforeveryone · 26/03/2024 12:22

ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 11:24

I agree, I can't be selfish to choose a name which only I like, there are many things to consider, our purpose is to make our children happy.

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Oh please don’t think I thought you were putting yourself first. I meant just because you’ve got some misgivings at the moment, your son probably won’t grow up to share them. Oscar’s a lovely name, enjoy him.

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ByLovingRoseSloth · 26/03/2024 11:46

WimpoleHat · 26/03/2024 10:02

I loved Sesame Street as a child, but I am knocking 50 - but a lot of people in the UK of my age didn’t watch it and my kids wouldn’t have heard of it at all. And I wouldn’t associate the name Oscar with “the Grouch”, as it’s a pretty popular name for boys. Nothing to worry about at all with Oscar - honestly.

I see, thank you.

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