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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To Not wanting to explain my DD name

161 replies

HidingInTheBathroom · 24/09/2011 10:35

My DD is 20 month old. She is called Dallas. I have named her Dallas after my great aunt who is no longer with us as my Aunty Dallas did alot for me when she was alive and holds a dear place in my heart

My problem is that when people ask me what my daughters name they dont seem to like the answer. They pull there face and say well that's unusual. I then feel like I have too explain it.

AIBU to feel like telling them to pit there face straight.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 24/09/2011 10:37

YABU It is unusual... Give a child an unusual name and you either have to ignore the remarks or have a stock answer ready. As time goes on, so will they.

HengshanRoad · 24/09/2011 10:38

Tell them to mind their own business and not be so rude.

worraliberty · 24/09/2011 10:41

YABU it is unusual and you have a lifetime of strange looks ahead probably.

You made the choice and you're obviously happy with it so you'll simply become exhausted by being pissed off at other people's reactions.

jubilee10 · 24/09/2011 10:41

YABU if you choose to give your child a daft unusual name you can expect it to be remarked upon.

FruStefanLindman · 24/09/2011 10:41

YANBU, but as it is such an unusual name, why don't you say "she's called Dallas, I named her after my favourite aunt" before they get a chance to pull a face?

HairyGrotter · 24/09/2011 10:42

YABU, it's the price one pays for having an 'unusual' name. DD's name is ruddy old but not 'popular' during this century. I have to explain it each time but I knew that when I named her...

FruStefanLindman · 24/09/2011 10:42

Oh, but, sorry YABU to tell them to put their face straight Grin

EdithWeston · 24/09/2011 10:42

I think it's inherent when you have an unusual name.

Your DD has a whole lifetime ahead of her where she will have to deal with such comments. Your role now is to model the attitude and response that you want her to have - so if you want her telling strangers off for rudeness, then that's what you do. If you want her to be proud of her name, explain it with pride.

smartyparts · 24/09/2011 10:43

YABU, it's an odd unusual name; people are going to comment.

Birdsgottafly · 24/09/2011 10:44

You will just have to get over it.

My youngest has a very uncommon name in the UK but it is a family name and means something to me and mine.

As she gets older and you have to shout it in a shop etc, you will have to learn to ignore the raised eyebrows from others.

There is a lot of snobbery and ignorance on MN about names, which at times gets quite offensive when non UK names are being riddiculed. Especially when they don't realise that alot of English names are misspelt 'foreign' names.

Proudnscary · 24/09/2011 10:46

You just have to suck it up and not let it bother you.
My dd has unusual name.
Btw I know two Dallas's (mum and daughter). Are you Greek?

BumWiper · 24/09/2011 10:46

YABU,you obviously knew that Dallas was an unusual name so no point in moaning that people ask about it.

TheControversialJessie · 24/09/2011 10:50

Say proudly, "it's a family name".

allhailtheaubergine · 24/09/2011 10:51

People: What's you're daughter's name?

You: Dallas.

People: That's unusual.

You: Thank you

End of conversation.

HTH.

allhailtheaubergine · 24/09/2011 10:52

Your, not you're.

diddl · 24/09/2011 10:53

YABU.

You don´t have to explain just because someone else doesn´t like it.

They probably still won´t like it!

MollyTheMole · 24/09/2011 10:56

YABU

Its an unusual name, people are bound to wonder about it. You must have surely known when you chose the name that people would be curious.

But no you dont have to explain if you dont want, but that might make you look a bit aloof.

Proudnscary · 24/09/2011 10:57

Or alternatively change her name

worraliberty · 24/09/2011 11:00

Actually in all seriousness if there was a girl named Dallas in my son's school, I probably wouldn't ask the parents about it.

I would assume she was named after the 80's TV show and leave it at that.

So it might be better that people do actually ask you?

BumWiper · 24/09/2011 11:05

Theres a child called Laser Star in DC's school.I don't ask about the name.

PerAr6ua · 24/09/2011 11:10

what worraliberty said, although i do thin it's a lovely names as strings of letters go. Just say 'Dallas, after my favourite Aunt' and leave it at that.

Pinot · 24/09/2011 11:16

Absolutely what worra said.

Sorry but I did wince a bit at the name. I'm a dullard and think odd names should be middle names.

YABU.

HidingInTheBathroom · 24/09/2011 11:16

Dallas is actually a Scottish name. Nothing to do with Texas. I'm not Greek a little bit of Scottish on my grandparents side.

My aunt did alot for me if it was not for her I would not be the person I am today(without going into detail) she gets called dally for short.

Just feel like I have to justify her name all the time. The name was normal for me as I was used to it.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 24/09/2011 11:20

I understand your frustration OP but your DD is the one who will have this for the rest of her life....so as someone else said, how you react to the interest in it now, will teach her how to react.

Therefore, I think it's best to let the angst go and teach her to be proud of her name...and not care about other people's reactions.

Pinot · 24/09/2011 11:20

I've just read my post back - I hope it doesn't sound harsh, I didn't mean it to. Odd was a bad choice of word See, this is why I should avoid AIBU - I'm rubbish.

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