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Original poster

R Kelly - how bad is that initial & surname?

61 replies

thefirstmrskelly · 26/05/2024 08:41

We love the name Rowan and it’s out long term favourite for a boy, but our surname is Kelly. Is R. Kelly unusable? I’m leaning to no, even if people make the connection now it will fade throughout his life. But just want some outside opinions.

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bluetopazlove · 26/05/2024 16:21

EliflurtleAndTheInfiniteMadness · 26/05/2024 08:55

How often is someone refered to like that anyway? I can't remember any of my kids even once being referred to as first initial surname.

Is that linked to an American pop star who did bad things , I seem to remember a bad man from many years ago when I had my second son many years ago .

Amx · 26/05/2024 16:17

mikado1 · 26/05/2024 15:43

I wouldn't. Rowan is lovely for sure

R Kelly is worse than Rolf Harris I think, unless I've missed some Rolf Harris information obviously Rolf Harris is a much more distinctive name.

Did you hear R Kelly died?

He believed he could fly....

It's so bad, it's good?! 😆

I don't agree with that. Rolf Harris was an absolute sicko.

Both terrible people.

TheCryingTheBitchAndTheFloordrobe · 26/05/2024 16:14

I definitely wouldn't

AramintaTittington · 26/05/2024 16:11

@mikado1 yeah you've definitely missed a few bits and pieces about rolf Harris, the convicted paedophile.

mikado1 · 26/05/2024 15:43

I wouldn't. Rowan is lovely for sure

R Kelly is worse than Rolf Harris I think, unless I've missed some Rolf Harris information obviously Rolf Harris is a much more distinctive name.

Did you hear R Kelly died?

He believed he could fly....

It's so bad, it's good?! 😆

FairyCakesss · 26/05/2024 15:42

muddyford · 26/05/2024 15:33

I don't even understand the reference.

Well you will be in the very small minority since he's pretty famous and most people would have heard of him.

Skybluepinky · 26/05/2024 15:42

Avoid

KThnxBye · 26/05/2024 15:39

Row Wankily.

It’s like a synonym for the poncy part of the Henley Regatta.

Im sorry OP, Rowan is lovely but I don’t think it works

xyz111 · 26/05/2024 15:38

When do you ever see someone's name written like that? We have two mick/ Michael Jackson's at work.

muddyford · 26/05/2024 15:33

I don't even understand the reference.

RiotC · 26/05/2024 15:30

It's my surname too, and Rowan is on my list, I genuinely hadn't thought of this!

dontforgetme · 26/05/2024 15:21

This wouldn't even cross my mind as a reason not to name my child the name I liked. Go for it op.

JamSandle · 26/05/2024 15:08

Kelly is a very popular surname and many people will have it with an R first name.

Amx · 26/05/2024 14:57

WetBandits · 26/05/2024 10:59

It’s not great, and the two names put together has the word ‘wank’ in the middle.

I just wouldn’t do it 😂

Grin
JimPansy · 26/05/2024 14:43

My first though was 'wan K'. Sorry.

JohnCurtice · 26/05/2024 12:29

WetBandits · 26/05/2024 10:59

It’s not great, and the two names put together has the word ‘wank’ in the middle.

I just wouldn’t do it 😂

Oh God 😭

You have done OP’s child a really good turn by spotting this.

Devilsmommy · 26/05/2024 11:02

WetBandits · 26/05/2024 10:59

It’s not great, and the two names put together has the word ‘wank’ in the middle.

I just wouldn’t do it 😂

Oh my god I didn't catch that 🤣🤣🤣

WetBandits · 26/05/2024 10:59

It’s not great, and the two names put together has the word ‘wank’ in the middle.

I just wouldn’t do it 😂

Fintoo · 26/05/2024 10:57

I wouldn’t

newyear2024 · 26/05/2024 10:49

I live in Belfast and we tend to say 'our' before naming a family member, so 'our jack' 'our Jill' etc and anytime my friend says 'Our Kelly' when talking about her sister for a split second I do think she's about to say something R Kelly done 🤣

But having R as an initial alongside Kelly wouldn't annoy me at all. I know a few people with the surname Kelly and initial R and would never associate with the singer.

shellshocks · 26/05/2024 09:57

I understand your concern but like others have said, first initial + surname are rarely used (wondering if you're in the US where it might be used more often). Your child's peers and those 10 years older will not even know the reference (my son and his friends wouldn't know who R.Kelly is).

If you're set on the name go for it, if you can't shake the doubts then don't risk it.

DildoHarding · 26/05/2024 09:57

I think it's ok, it's not like it's G.Glitter or J. Savile. It must be a pretty common use of an initial and surname

Moreteaandchocolate · 26/05/2024 09:56

It wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me - if you love the name Rowan best then go for it, I doubt it would be a major issue in his life.

playdead · 26/05/2024 09:55

If you love the name use it. I didn't use a name I liked for DC2 (17) because of a reality show contestant who was famous at the time. I regret it ever since. No one remembers the "celebrity" now and I still don’t really like the name we picked.

MissedItByThisMuch · 26/05/2024 09:27

i admit I am old and out of touch but I had to Google to find out who R Kelly was. It was 5 years ago - by the time a child born now is of an age they are at all likely to be referred to by initial surname he will be long forgotten. I think it’s a non-issue - one of those name things people way overthink.

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