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Original poster

How awful would your friend’s choice of name have to be before you said something?

211 replies

PlanterGents · 17/04/2021 19:18

DFriend is pregnant with a little girl that’s due and couldn’t think of a name the entire pregnancy (for boy or girl), so found out quite late that she was having another girl.

Anyway, I saw her alongside a few other friends today and she was saying how she really wants something soft sounding yet alternative and unusual. She then announced the bloody name and I was a bit Grin so laughed it off.

Everyone went a bit quiet and then someone else piped up that it’s her choice (the name). I said ‘that isn’t a name, it’s a common word’. Friend then smiled and changed the subject.

Have now had a text from friend that she really loves the name and hopes I’ll come round to it?!

Obviously this thread is completely outing so I’ve name changed so nobody can connect me to any other threads. I’m sure a few of our friendship group use MN, as I’m sure it’s come up before. So if you’re reading this, I’m sorry for upsetting you but I’m shocked! Sorry Blush

OP posts:
Billandben444 · 18/04/2021 12:58

Imagine if Always and Maebe werw in the same class. With Sometimes and Never...
Yay! Grin

CervixHaver · 18/04/2021 13:04

There's a kid and my DD's school named Carver! I genuinely believed it to be spelt Cava and so that's what was wrote on his Christmas card from DD! 😬

Chattycatty · 18/04/2021 13:06

I think pregnancy sends us a bit loopy I liked Sirius as in Harry Potter for one of my ds I still remember the wtf looks I got when I mentioned it my ds is not Sirius. She may change her mind.

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NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 18/04/2021 13:08

Carver is a character in the book Lorna Doone - not a nice one!

I came across a Remy at school and a child called Chardonnay so Cava would sort of make sense lol.

Pebbledashery · 18/04/2021 13:11

If its Maybe, her child is going to end up hating her.. I would tell her! +

TheMarzipanDildo · 18/04/2021 13:12

I suppose it is quite pretty sounding (for a random word). I do think she must be must be cracking up though!

lljkk · 18/04/2021 13:19

Maebee is ok (or however they spell it). I wouldn't feel compelled to comment on that.

Sandgrown1970 · 18/04/2021 13:29

@lljkk

Maebee is ok (or however they spell it). I wouldn't feel compelled to comment on that.
It’s not an ok name at all. You might not feel the need to comment on it but people are going to be commenting on it her whole life.

It’s irrelevant how you spell it as it’s pronounced exactly the same as Maybe and people will hear Maybe as the two are indistinguishable.

“Can I take a name for the booking?”

“Maebee”

“Can you confirm your name?”

“Maebee”

Or in a coffee shop being asked what name to write on the cup

“Maebee”

Everyone is going to hear that as “Maybe” and it’s going to create endless problems for the child.
People will assume she’s rude, awkward or stupid. Maybe is a commonly used, everyday word.

“Is Maebee coming to the party?”

“Maybe”

“Yes, is she coming?”

“Maybe! As in Maebee MIGHT be coming.”

It’s a nightmare for the poor kid and everyone around them. There’s thousands of unusual, less problematic names for a child. Why subject her to lifelong misunderstandings?

lljkk · 18/04/2021 13:33

As it happens, I personally chose super boring easy to spell names for DC. That was my deliberate preference. DD has a name like Elizabeth & omg you wouldn't believe the variations in incorrect spellings she gets anyway. Quite the surprise...

My threshold to say something critical is above the point of those who make stated objections here. Not saying that Maybie is a great choice, It just isn't bad enough to strain a good friendship over.

She'll probably go by May anyway, let's be honest!

SmudgeButt · 18/04/2021 13:36

What show was it that the mother wanted something that sounded classy so called her daughter Chlamydia?

timeforanewnameagain · 18/04/2021 13:58

Argh with friends I just keep quiet.

One of my friends has children with very classic names, which I like (my children's names are similar). Another has children with what i consider to be very Americanised kardashian-esque names. Another had children with names that are all themed around one letter (and she has four girls). The last had her children much younger than the rest of us and her boys names are very 'of their time'.

I don't like any of them apart from the classic ones which as I said are similar in style to my own children's names because obviously we have the same sort of taste. I would never say a word, I just always smile and say 'lovely'!

Not your baby not your business.

Maybe is a ridiculous name though. I do agree.

GabsAlot · 18/04/2021 15:19

I have an unusual surname was on an ad for years and I still get jokes about it. Maybe isn't a name and it's bloody cruel to do that to your child, trust me I've had 46 years of piss taking

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 18/04/2021 16:59

Maybe is bad, I’d have reacted as you did. My friend wanted to call her child Bruce if it was a boy, I’m pleased she had a girl Grin. I met someone who called his DD ‘p’ constantly so I asked my friend who knew him whether his daughter was actually called Pea or whether it was short for something. She was called Prada and he was so embarrassed about it, he always called her p. His ex wife liked it and he didn’t get a say.

Original poster
PlanterGents · 18/04/2021 17:00

I just think she’s completely selfish to do this to her DC. It isn’t just that it’s a ‘silly name’, it’s a very common English word! Used from boring as you like sentences to the most heated of debates. It’s a word I probably use at least 10+ times a day, surely?

I remember being in school, if a teacher said ‘So, today is’... I thought the ‘So’ was the start of my name and look up in a panic lol

OP posts:
ElderMillennial · 18/04/2021 17:04

I just think she’s completely selfish to do this to her DC. It isn’t just that it’s a ‘silly name’, it’s a very common English word!

This is just your opinion though, OP. Surely you see that? It's only a common English word if they spell it that way but, even so, many PPs have said they like the name and apparently so does your friend.

The thing is you have mentioned it once and to keep doing so is just rude.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/04/2021 17:10

It's only a common English word if they spell it that way
Well, that's a unique take on it... it's a common English word no matter how it's spelt. Far more people will hear the name than will ever have cause to see it written down.

CaraherEIL · 18/04/2021 17:23

I think she will just end up calling herself May or Mae. There is a chance she could get called out wrongly for cheek if an adult stranger is asking her name which is really unfair.

ElderMillennial · 18/04/2021 17:32

It's only a common English word if they spell it that way
Well, that's a unique take on it... it's a common English word no matter how it's spelt. Far more people will hear the name than will ever have cause to see it written down.

Well Maeby isn't a common English word, though it might sound like one.

NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 18/04/2021 17:33

@ElderMillennial

I just think she’s completely selfish to do this to her DC. It isn’t just that it’s a ‘silly name’, it’s a very common English word!

This is just your opinion though, OP. Surely you see that? It's only a common English word if they spell it that way but, even so, many PPs have said they like the name and apparently so does your friend.

The thing is you have mentioned it once and to keep doing so is just rude.

How, when used in a sentence and said out loud, are you supposed to differentiate between the name and the word if they sound exactly the same?

It’s not just the OPs opinion. It’s hugely problematic for the child and yes, absolutely selfish. It makes no odds how it’s spelled when it’s pronounced exactly the same.

“I baptise this child Maebee” will sound like “I baptise this child, maybe”

“I Maebee, take thee Ashley to be my lawful wedded husband/wife”

“I maybe take thee....”

And that’s just the big moments, the everyday mundane moments will be the worst and most difficult to endure.

Mrsmchammer · 18/04/2021 17:33

One of my Siblings has a child with a random word name. I did highlight it may sound odd as Lord Chief Justice Randomword Hammer or Dr Randomword Hammer. They didn't think it was weird so what can you say? Plus they have a very elegant mainstreamish middle name they could always go by. Child will be lovely anyway whatever the name is.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/04/2021 17:35

@ElderMillennial

It's only a common English word if they spell it that way Well, that's a unique take on it... it's a common English word no matter how it's spelt. Far more people will hear the name than will ever have cause to see it written down.

Well Maeby isn't a common English word, though it might sound like one.

Of course it sounds like one. People listening to her calling the child in the playground aren't going to know how she spells it.
Icantreachthepretzels · 18/04/2021 17:40

Trying to explain her name to people will be like living in an eternal comedy sketch minus the chuckles:

ElderMillennial · 18/04/2021 17:41

I expect you would differentiate based on contracted @NameChangedForThisFeb21

For the record I haven't any plans to name a child Maybe or Maeby or possibly, my point is that is that we all have different opinions and the child's parents get to name her.

ElderMillennial · 18/04/2021 17:47

context, not contracted...

Sandgrown1970 · 18/04/2021 17:57

@ElderMillennial

It's only a common English word if they spell it that way Well, that's a unique take on it... it's a common English word no matter how it's spelt. Far more people will hear the name than will ever have cause to see it written down.

Well Maeby isn't a common English word, though it might sound like one.

So it’s fair game to call a kid

Kunnt
Pfuck (silent P Wink)
Wan-Kerr

Seeing as they aren’t common English words and you should be able to tell it’s a name and not a swear word based on context?

And it’s fine for the child because it’s what their parents want and no one else’s opinion, including the child’s own, matters?

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