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Baby names

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

Original poster

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.

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HolidayBrochure · 12/06/2025 11:15

RuthChrisSt · 11/06/2025 22:53

Ooh, I like that! I have un unusual name, hated it as a kid but love it as an adult. Good ice breaker. My name actually came up on an usual name thread and someone called it awful 😬

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No, the correct pronunciation is EEEE-oh, not eye-oh

Gowlett · 12/06/2025 11:12

I don’t like the name at all.

I’d listen if my mother didn’t like my baby name.

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 11:10

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 12/06/2025 10:56

Loads of people in life are going to do shit that’s annoying. It doesn’t mean we bow down to the lowest common denominator.

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When it only concerns ourselves, fair enough. When it’s a question of knowingly setting a child up for being teased, I don’t think the noble principle of not bowing to the lowest common denominator is actually very noble.

Blarn · 12/06/2025 11:08

Io isn't an uncommon name in Greece though I don't think? And if they are at an international school it wouldn't stand out.

I'd your daughter had suggested something like Twinkle-ina then you could possibly say something but she has picked a name that is not to your taste. I gave my dd a perfectly normal, traditional, pretty easy to say name. Mum hated it and sent me an email of all things telling me what a mistake I had made. I opened it in the middle of the night and cried, I was already feeling terrible with a newborn who wouldn't sleep, this made me incredibly upset. I still feel very upset now many years later when I think of it.

rainbowstardrops · 12/06/2025 11:06

I’ve worked with children for over thirty years and have never come across one. Mind you, I initially read it as Lo.
Once you said it’s pronounced eye-o, I immediately thought of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Sorry! Also, reading about the connection of Io being raped, I would definitely gently mention that in conversation if you can. There must be so many other mythological names/whatever she’s after surely?

Russiandollsaresofullofthemselves · 12/06/2025 11:01

I don’t think it’s that strange but I immediately think of one of jupiters moons and not greek mythology. it’s not a million miles away from ivo. i think you need to keep quiet and learn to like it.

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 12/06/2025 10:56

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 10:52

Yes. But that wouldn't stop some people, especially children, from doing it.

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Loads of people in life are going to do shit that’s annoying. It doesn’t mean we bow down to the lowest common denominator.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 12/06/2025 10:56

I had forgotten that there is nothing so parochial as a MN name thread.

teksquad · 12/06/2025 10:56

I really like it, sorry. The only hesitation for me would be the I/L confusion but if I. saw it written down I would assume Io as that is a name, not Lo.

Kids don't really get teased for names anymore ime as they hear so many different ones now from so many different backgrounds.

Tiswa · 12/06/2025 10:53

You can’t possibly predict though - take the name Tom/Thomas saying Tommy Tough Knuckles is popular with 11-13 year old boys right now

old macdonald barely makes it beyond year 1

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 10:52

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 12/06/2025 10:46

I’d honestly pity someone, child or adult, that did that. Like, way to advertise how uncultured and uncouth you are!

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Yes. But that wouldn't stop some people, especially children, from doing it.

Coolcalmmoments · 12/06/2025 10:50

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 10:44

It’s awful. Quite apart from anything else, I bet people will keep singing "Old Macdonald Has a Farm" at her ("ee-aye-ee- I o". You could ask your daughter if she isn’t worried about that.

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This is without a doubt. I can envisage this child in the middle of the playground with children running about singing this popular ditti 😥

HiddenInCubeOfCheese · 12/06/2025 10:46

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 10:44

It’s awful. Quite apart from anything else, I bet people will keep singing "Old Macdonald Has a Farm" at her ("ee-aye-ee- I o". You could ask your daughter if she isn’t worried about that.

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I’d honestly pity someone, child or adult, that did that. Like, way to advertise how uncultured and uncouth you are!

MercyChant66 · 12/06/2025 10:45

The parent is a Classicist so will be very aware of the connotations. Iona as an alternative will just not cut it - completely different vibe! Io is a lovely name.

Anonycat · 12/06/2025 10:44

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.

It’s awful. Quite apart from anything else, I bet people will keep singing "Old Macdonald Has a Farm" at her ("ee-aye-ee- I o". You could ask your daughter if she isn’t worried about that.

828Pax · 12/06/2025 10:38

I know a male in his 20's with that name!

MissDoubleU · 12/06/2025 10:38

Gonna be hard pressed to find one if you’re going to insist on a name where another recipient of it hasn’t been a rape victim. I’d have more issues if they were using Zeus, you know, the name of the actual rapist which is actually something to be in any way ashamed of.

TeeBee · 12/06/2025 10:35

Unless they’ve asked for your opinion, it’s not wanted.

Coolcalmmoments · 12/06/2025 10:35

YYYDlilah · 12/06/2025 10:24

The name is fine, @Giggsie , but look at how many of the replies think it's Lo, and who don't seem to know how to say it. There's also the Eye-o being Ee-oh in many countries.

Has anyone suggested spelling it so that the pronunciation is more obvious yet?
Eighowe perhaps?

😂

Moonlightexpress · 12/06/2025 10:31

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 22:05

They are both teachers and currently live abroad teaching at an international school so I suppose they are hearing lots of unusual names.

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so I suppose they are hearing lots of unusual names.

Does foreign equal unsual ?

springissprung2025 · 12/06/2025 10:29

My DD was planning to call her first born Tinkabelle if a girl. Count yourself lucky ( she had a boy and has since grown up and is horrified!)

LivelyMintViper · 12/06/2025 10:29

I can't stand the name chosen for my grandson. But obviously kept quiet. Oddly my aversion has transferred to him! I literally can't stand hearing it. I am utterly amazed at this reaction it's so unbalanced. But 4 years on I still cringe.

RavenclawWitchy · 12/06/2025 10:27

Tiswa · 12/06/2025 10:05

And the other parts when she became human and strong

how a man treats a woman doesn’t define her
and it certainly shouldn’t define a name

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I highly doubt other children/teens will focus on that part of the story.

As for a man defining her. She was human and strong before Zeus ever became involved... Also she only became human again because Zeus changed her back. On his terms, with his permission she became "strong" again.

Eenameenadeeka · 12/06/2025 10:27

I don't think it's okay to say anything, even though you don't like it. It's their choice (it's hard enough agreeing as a couple without having to consider the input of 4 grandparents and any siblings and friends etc etc) you don't have to like it.

SerendipityJane · 12/06/2025 10:26

I'm now reminded I was at school with a "Siân", and even aged 6 she was very particular about the circumflex.

Weirdest thing is I don't recall any Welshness in the parents.

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