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Baby names

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Original poster

Is this name as bad as I think it is?

61 replies

wb · 06/12/2009 18:16

...and if so, should I say anything?

Briefly, a friend is expecting a baby boy in April. She told me today they are considering the name John.

Ordinarily of course that would be fine, nice name, but, but, but their surname is Doe. So, John Doe.

To me (avid fan of CSI etc) John Doe is the name given to unidentified bodies at the morgue. Am extremely to think about someone calling a baby this.

So, is it just me? Is dead body the first thing that springs to mind? Should I say anything? Normally, I would never dream of suggesting I didn't like a name but this has really blown my curcuits. Think I just gave a strangled squeak when she told me

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Merrylegs · 09/12/2009 15:20

Tell her it is akin to calling someone Joe Bloggs, or Mickey Mouse, even.

DisElfchanted3 · 09/12/2009 15:14

OMG this thread nearly made me wee myself!!

Dick Tester!!

Original poster
wb · 09/12/2009 15:08

I will definitely tell her. I'd never thought of the P. Doe thing either - but that will have to be a conversation for another time.

She does watch TV MamaGoblin, but never anything containing violence, or alluding to violence (like CSI fi). I have no idea if that is because she is a Quaker, or just a personal preference.

OP posts:
ConnorTraceptive · 09/12/2009 11:08

My neighbour is Dick Tester. Would have loved to have been at the wedding "I take thee Dick Tester"

mollythetortoise · 09/12/2009 10:45

i agree with the others, you have to tell her as she obviously doesn't know what it means. I think it is used in this country too for unknown bodies.

Luckily you can say in a non critical way as nothing wrong with the name John, it's just the combination.
She can then google for herself to see you are right.

I'd be grateful to you if were me about to make that mistake!

MamaGoblin · 09/12/2009 08:58

YOu have to tell her! The poor boy will never be able to travel in America without raised eyebrows, suspicions of taking the piss, and general ribbing.

All the quakers I know watch tv, by the way - she sounds rather hardcore! But however unworldly she is, she can't make the same assumptions for her child. T'aint fair.

nappyaddict · 07/12/2009 23:57

I think you should tell her. I never knew this thing about bodies being called John Doe so if my surname were Doe and I liked the name John it's very possibly something I might consider.

PoppetOne · 07/12/2009 23:27

You have to say something.

I work with a Chris Peacock - obvious one & has a real confidence issue.....and Richard Probert - who is called Dick Probe all the time.

How can parents do this to their children?

crankytwanky · 07/12/2009 22:35

I have heard of John or Jane Doe, but would never have thought of avoiding a name begining with P!

hanaflower · 07/12/2009 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

1973magpie · 07/12/2009 19:17

Just to add, I really think you should say something, just in case they don't realise!

1973magpie · 07/12/2009 19:16

I thought you were going to say their last name was Thomas.... .... mind you my brother did go to school with a Nicholas Crotch (how could they Not realise?!)

pigleychez · 07/12/2009 18:00

Maybe you should mention in as they may not know the meaning behind John Doe.

My DH didnt when I mentioned it to him just now.

belgo · 07/12/2009 17:55

I must be incredibly dense because I've never heard of John Doe before.

sb6699 · 07/12/2009 17:54

You must tell her. Agree with Ineedacleaner. She will be gutted if she doesnt know and someone tells her after the fact.

Incredibly though!

CantSleepWontSleep · 07/12/2009 17:37

She must be pulling your leg. Or be incredibly dense.

fathercandle · 07/12/2009 17:32

(again with the link: lmgtfy.com/?q=john+doe)

fathercandle · 07/12/2009 17:31

Politely inquire as to whether she's googled it. Or looked it up on wikipedia.
lmgtfy.com/?q=john+doe

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 07/12/2009 16:54

Oh god you have to tell her.
We have a realy really boring surname (think snoopy's owner Charlie) and everytime DH suggests a name like John to me I always say oh yeah so no descript we might as well give him the middle name Doe.
You have to have to take the chance of being laughed at and tell her becuase someone will after the baby comes and she will be gutted.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 07/12/2009 16:53

John or Jane out of the question, as is any name beginning with P.

ILoveGregoryHouse · 07/12/2009 16:49

MaggieNollaig am watching series 6 at the mo. Can't possibly tell you how I am managing that! It's also on iTunes for an extortionate sum of money.

MaggieNollaig · 07/12/2009 16:46

lol at play and weir

ThumbleBells · 07/12/2009 15:38

I doubt she's having you on either - like all those parents who wilfully saddle their sons with the name Richard Head (yes I do know one). Just plain wrong. And I would tell her just in case she really hasn't noticed.

mathanxiety · 07/12/2009 15:33

Or Play.

It's not just TV. Doesn't she ever read?

gagamama · 07/12/2009 11:38

Or Pae.