AIBU to think that if you give your child a name that more commonly belongs to the opposite sex, or name your child after a vegetable...

[Jacksmania]

... then you shouldn't be all that surprised to get comments from people?

Disclaimer: I absolutely believe that anyone should be allowed to name their child whatever they like, as long as it's not obviously offensive. I mean, "Fuckface" or whatever is obviously out :o

I'm asking this because I've found myself in two separate situations this week where I ended up thinking, "well, come on..." but then wondered what the MN Jury would think.

Will try to be as brief as possible:

1 - acquaintance was registering her DD for ballet lessons. Her DD is named something most commonly male.
Acquaintance to ballet school: "I'd like to register my DD "male name" for ballet class Tuesday nights at x time."
Ballet school: "I'm sorry but boys' ballet classes are Wednesdays at x time".
Acquaintance: "as I said, I'd like to register my daughter "male name" for ballet at x time"
Ballet school: "your daughter "male name"?..."
Acquaintance: (seething) "yes my daughter "male name""
Ballet school: "..."

Acquaintance hangs up and starts ranting about idiocy of school who can't grasp that "male name" might be a girl. I listen but then stupidly say "well, you have to admit, it's not usually ever that I've heard of a girl's name".
Acquaintance: at me.

2 - friend makes reference to her teenage son whose name is in fact that of a leafy green vegetable. Person who can be a bit of a knobber in surrounding group overhears and in a sneering tone says to friend "did you say "x" was your teenager's name??"
Friend says yes. Knobber person says "you are aware that "teenager's name" is in fact a green leafy vegetable??" Friend (obviously irritated) says "yes". Knobber walks off smirking.

Friend is upset with Knobber, as was I because really he didn't need to be quite that knobbish about it... and I've obviously learned my lesson because I didn't say anything this time, but thought to myself, "well, he does have a point".

So - AIBU to think that you should probably expect comments all your child's life if you name them after a leafy green, or give a girl a boy's name or vice versa? I do understand it gets tiresome, but, well...
And want to add that I in no way condone rudeness!!! I think it should be possible to ask or comment without being horrible.

I also know an older boy called Reid Moomins

We considered Rowan for dd2 but were put off by it being more common as a boys name. Still like it for a girl tho'.

Oh God I knew it was going to be Elliot. I TOLD DH this would happen!

I may post on mn nearer the time to see what opinions are on Reid, not sure though. baby name threads can be harse

Harsh even!

Yes they can. :o

However, I think a lot of it depends on how you phrase the OP.
"I'm thinking "outlandish name" for DC. Am I being a twat?"
"Yes, you are."
"Yes."
"Yes, you're a twat."
OP: boo hoooooo, you're being mean about my favourite outlandish name.

Not good :o

On the other hand:
"Help me find a baby name. I'm considering "outlandish name", but also "more normal name". What do you all think?"

OP: thanks all, I think we'll name him "this".
Or, OP: hmmm, lots to think about. Thanks for all suggestions!

Much better.

I think Reid is fine, also like Leif.

But then I wanted to call dd Grover had she been a boy!

Lettice used to be a quite acceptable name for a girl.

I was thingking Brocolli for the teenager, I can just see a Brocolli storming into his room and slamming the door.

Triffid, the Kale in question is actually dark and handsome with longish sweeping hair! V v good-looking young man.

See - the power of baby names. If all parents name their newborn infant sons Kale from now on, we will be swimming in a sea of Mills and Boon style heroes in 20 years time (I won't be as will be too old).

Am disappointed the boy/girl name was Elliot (even though I love Scrubs). Something like Gary/Trevor/Timothy would have been much better.

I used to work with a woman called Gary, she was older than me she should be a Grandmother easily by now. I thought it was a very odd name to give a girl. Then what made it funnier, she started Dating this guy called.... you guessed it....Gary!

Dp likes Sonny, I always think of Sonnys as happy easy going children, what if he's a right grumpy child

Mercedes is a lovely name but only if you live in Spain or Portugal :)

Chelsea - not so much, in whatever country. And Courgette - just... no.

PMSL @ Gary dating Gary :o

There was a thread recently about the name Mercedes, I thought it would get slated but everyone loved it

Elliot and Kale are both perfectly fine names IMO. At least they haven't called them Apple or princess shitzu crabapple (or whatever daft name it was)

Sinister it is, and you can call her brother Zucchini!

Elliot? Nah sorry but that is like Beverly/Vivian for a boy. They should shorten it to Ellie in every day use to avoid the confusion - I imagine the poor girl will end up doing that at school!

Kale makes me I can see what the parents were going for but it really is silly to name you kid after a vegetable!!!

I was hoping the boy's name would be Coriander it's a long-standing joke of DH and mine's that it's a perfect luvvie name for a boy. "Coriandeeeer!! Darling, put that DOWN and tell mummy if you want proschuttio or Parma ham from the deli. NO we have to pay before you can have a crostini.... Oh all right go on then..."

YANBU

In Ireland lots of men who were born in late 70s (to coincide with Pope's visit there) are called John, Paul or John-Paul. An acquaintance's brother really got the short end of the stick, his name is Karol (ie Pope's real name)

I'm pretty sure that Mercedes was a name before it was a car - didn't Herr Benz name it after his daughter? (Or whoever it was who built the first one)

DS has a Chelsea in his dance class. And Summer, Destiny, Ebony and so on... but then this is Australia. His dance class assistant is called Miss Sharnay - we're not sure if the parents were going for Chardonnay but thought the don was silent, of if they just didn't know how to spell it. I have to be verrrrreeeee careful what I say in RL about names around these 'ere parts...

Jacksmania, are you in NI

you've just described the Kale that i know

very good looking young man :)

I called DD2 Shirley after Big Daddy.

I know this thread has moved on, but I like traditionally male names for girls, both dd's have names that are more common for boys ( although one is shortened from a more feminine name). I expect people will ask...is she a girl? ( about the baby) and people always repeat both names back to me after they hear what they are. I haven't been pissed off about it yet, but I am sure the time will come!

And I love Elliot for a girl, and Kale. So much better than names that repeatedly hit the top 10 year after year!

Titanic, no - West Coast of Canada :)

In Ireland (well, Cork, probably not all of Ireland), Florence is a boys name.