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Baby names

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

Original poster

Were you teased because of your name?

164 replies

oysterpots · 22/07/2009 15:47

If so, was it because your name is unusual? Would you choose a different name if you could? Do you know anyone who wasn't teased about their name?

Seems like some people are pretty scared to pick anything out of the ordinary in case their DC might be teased - I always thought people found something to tease you about, if not your first name then your surname, or the way you look, or what your family's like.

Am I wrong? Genuine questions.

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FAQtothefuture · 22/07/2009 19:28

I was teased about my name - it's Gwen.

HeadFairy · 22/07/2009 19:24

I was a bit... it's Gisele and having a foreign name in the 70s was pretty unusual. I even adopted my middle name when I was at primary school (Spanish name but a bit more known in England than Gisele iyswim).

I got over it pretty quickly though, certainly by secondary school as most of the blokes I knew thought it was pretty exotic and sexy... ha! in your face Michelle "you know who you are"

magbags · 22/07/2009 19:22

I wasn't teased for my name, which is Margo (so fairly unnusual I guess). Still sometimes get Margo Escargot but more as a term of endearment than a tease. I don't recall anyone from school being teased about their name in fact. I do remember the poor boy with the too short trousers and briefcase tho - he had no chance poor soul.

I think kids will find something if they go looking, if it's not your name it will be something else.

TheProfiteroleThief · 22/07/2009 18:42

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IDreamOfJeannie · 22/07/2009 18:40

No I have never ever been teased about my name. It's Jenny. I like my name, and the only thing that annoys me about it is that everyone assumes I'm really called Jennifer.

IDreamOfJeannie · 22/07/2009 18:40

No I have never ever been teased about my name. It's Jenny. I like my name, and the only thing that annoys me about it is that everyone assumes I'm really called Jennifer.

lockets · 22/07/2009 17:26

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SoupDragon · 22/07/2009 17:02

Yes I was and yes I would have chosen a different name if I could have. The one I was give rhymed FFS.

shonaspurtle · 22/07/2009 16:51

I did avoid a Gaelic spelling for ds's name because of my own experience though.

Turns out the Gaelic spelling is more popular than the anglicised version now so everyone assumes it's spelt that way. Can't bloody win.

shonaspurtle · 22/07/2009 16:49

I love the name Shirley

Not teased because of my name. No one could pronounce it or spell it, but not teased.

Was teased about my hair instead.

sarah293 · 22/07/2009 16:39

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allaboutme · 22/07/2009 16:39

I have very very ordinary and common first name.
I got teased all through school for my surname and also the fact that I have red hair.

pippylongstockings · 22/07/2009 16:36

I agree I think children get teased because of all sorts of things, anything possible infact.

My name is Phillippa, it get shortened to Pip - lots of fruit references for some hilarious people - apple pip, orange pip, etc. But also got teased because of my teeth, then when I got a brace - my brace, my long skinny legs etc etc.

I did however avoid the name Felix (or Mike!) for my son as our surname rhymes with a very rude name for fanjo. Which will be enough for most kids without added fuel.

3ofeach · 22/07/2009 16:31

yes was teased about my name. Its Alexandra but I'm always called Alex and was teased a lot cos ' its a boy's name'. Still don't like the unisex slant of it and as a contrast have called all 3 of my DD something unambiguously female, very much on purpose.
My DH hates my name too and never calls me it as he thinks its too male

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