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Baby names

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Hate DD’s planned baby name. Is it ever ok to say that?

484 replies

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 21:53

I expect the answer is to keep quiet but I fear by future grandchild will be teased mercilessly.

OP posts:
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KittyWindbag · 11/06/2025 23:18

I think it’s a nice name! If we ruled out names of characters raped by Zeus we’d rule out a few and luckily most people won’t ever associate it with that because it’s quite an obscure reference these days. It’s cute and cool. I think you’re overreacting.

TabbyCatInAPoolofSunshine · 11/06/2025 23:17

Cattenberg · 11/06/2025 23:02

Pandora
I adore ya!
I implore ye
Don't ignore me

Is that Adrian Mole? 🤣

EdisinBurgh · 11/06/2025 23:17

ThreeLuckyStars · 11/06/2025 23:13

I know one or two around here albeit living in a geeky area. It’s also the name of one of Jupiter’s moons. It’s trending.

This might be just the thing to put her off.

Invent one or two babies who’ve recently been named io and intimate it’s become the new ava or similar

ZImono · 11/06/2025 23:16

I LOVE mythology and classical civilisations but this name is truly awful.

yanbu but there's likely nothing you can do

You could try power in numbers...

Our friends wanted to give their son an AWFUL name and both sets of parents and some siblings sat them down and were like "think about it... fo you REALLY want that for your child?" And they picked a much nicer name

Enko · 11/06/2025 23:15

I really like it. I dont think teasing over names will.be a big deal soon. Nowadays a much wider range of names are used so to the younger generation this is just normal.

ivebeenhereawhile · 11/06/2025 23:14

The name I wanted to call my daughter was laughed at by my in laws- Saskia. I was told it was ridiculous. I did change it (as they said they would shorten it to sassy or sarky) but 27 years later, I’m still annoyed at myself!

YYYDlilah · 11/06/2025 23:13

I O I O it's off to work I go
With a shovel and a pick
And a tickling stick
I O I O I O I O
Keep singing it, @Giggsie .

ThreeLuckyStars · 11/06/2025 23:13

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 21:57

It’s hugely distinctive and identifying so I have name changed and will ask for this thread to be deleted.

its Io.

its from Greek mythology, a women who was raped by Zeus.

the child will spend her life being called “Lo” or “10” due to how it’s written.

I know one or two around here albeit living in a geeky area. It’s also the name of one of Jupiter’s moons. It’s trending.

CMRE · 11/06/2025 23:12

OP it sounds like this isn’t a name your DD has chosen on a whim but one she’s put thought in to and really likes, in which case I’d say nothing.

I am married to an Irish man and now live there and our children have very traditional Irish names; my mum hates one of them and has never made any secret of it. I can’t forgive her for how rude she is about it. She mispronounces it on purpose (he’s 7, she’s had long enough to get used to it!) and I hear her joking about it to her friends. I am not suggesting you’ll do this but decide whether your relationship with your DD and future grandchildren is more important than your thoughts on a name, as my relationship with my mother is permanently damaged.

Limonatamum · 11/06/2025 23:11

my daughter is named a unisex name that we love and my husband picked. MIL and SIL called her ‘the baby’ for the first 10 months. Honestly if you want to be called granny/nana etc, hold your tongue and have the basic level of respect to call her by her name

MistyMountainTop · 11/06/2025 23:11

DS had a classmate called Yeeha, pronounced Yee Ha. She didn't get teased about it.

Ladamesansmerci · 11/06/2025 23:10

I'm surprised people like it. It's a terrible name imo lol. Also will endlessly be made into 'oh haha I owe you xyz' if it's pronounced eye-oh.

However your opinion doesn't matter, and nor does mine. There are all kind of weird names out there now. Unless it's something outright offensive, you shouldn't be commenting.

InWithThePlums · 11/06/2025 23:10

I like it.

I’ve met several Cain’s- I reckon that’s worse, association wise.

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 11/06/2025 23:10

she’ll also have a blinder up her sleeve to play in Scrabble should she be down to a hodge podge of vowels!

doglover4ever · 11/06/2025 23:08

HNRTFT but I wasn’t sure about my grandchild name. I now cannot imagine the child having a different name! The name is now a Marmite name on MN but old enough that child’s peer group will not have a problem with the name.

Talipesmum · 11/06/2025 23:07

SapporoBaby · 11/06/2025 22:23

Io is also the name of a moon of Jupiter. I think you’re underestimating people. And she wasn’t just raped by Zeus… Io was a Priestess, later Queen and ancestor of heroes like Perceus, Heracles, Minos and more.

It’s a beautiful, classical name.

Yes, this exactly. Your DD as a classicist knows full well the stories and is going to be entirely aware that the story of Io is so much more than “was raped by Zeus” (like that narrows it down). She actually had a pretty good rest of life after that bit, and was the ancestor of many many others from mythology. I really wouldn’t worry - it’s an unusual name but a great one too.

Coolcalmmoments · 11/06/2025 23:06

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 21:57

It’s hugely distinctive and identifying so I have name changed and will ask for this thread to be deleted.

its Io.

its from Greek mythology, a women who was raped by Zeus.

the child will spend her life being called “Lo” or “10” due to how it’s written.

If you are saying this is the actual name it is absolutely hideous. I'm not surprised you are questioning it. The child will end up being called Hi or worse.I would have no hesitation in diplomatically conveying my concerns.

ARichtGoodDram · 11/06/2025 23:04

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 11/06/2025 23:00

The biggest bummer having Io as a name is one that I shouldered as a child (and my name isn’t weird or oddly spelled): nothing in the gift shop will EVER have her name on.

I’m over it now. Just.

As someone who grew up with an utterly stupid name (with siblings who had entirely normal 70s names to add insult to injury) that was the least of my worries!

Needmorelego · 11/06/2025 23:04

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 11/06/2025 23:02

Is that sarcasm? I'd put nothing in the gift shop having her name on it as a plus.

As someone who also has a fairly unused name - not being able to get merchandise with my name on was very disappointing as a child 😂

Butterflyarms · 11/06/2025 23:04

Just sing Old MacDonald at them and hope they get the point.

I actually love it but think you need a Greek connection for it to work.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 11/06/2025 23:04

Tiswa · 11/06/2025 23:01

I agree with @TabbyCatInAPoolofSunshine ina way the fact that is her rape we are focusing on in the story downplays the fact she had a sea and a moon named after her. She was actually a fairly strong female character yes she was a cow for awhile but then she became human again

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle the names on your list have just as dark stories (Ariadne/Jocasta killed themselves!)

Ariadne married Dionysus, which sounds kind of fun.

Aitchemarsey · 11/06/2025 23:03

I imagine she might encounter some chuckles if she visits Italy!

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 11/06/2025 23:03

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 11/06/2025 23:02

Is that sarcasm? I'd put nothing in the gift shop having her name on it as a plus.

It’s neither sarcasm nor not sarcasm. Just light-hearted joke?

Cattenberg · 11/06/2025 23:02

TabbyCatInAPoolofSunshine · 11/06/2025 22:58

Most of those legends have equally or more unfortunate aspects, especially Pandora (and you know that Pandora's Box is more likely to be something teenagers catch onto than any of the reasons to tease a girl called Io).

Pandora
I adore ya!
I implore ye
Don't ignore me

Radionowhere · 11/06/2025 23:02

It's horrid. Obviously you can't say anything.