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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if you would randomly rename a child?

105 replies

IneedAsockamnesty · 19/11/2013 23:03

A child that had already been registered, with a name that had apsolutly no relation to the child's actual name at all,so not just a shortened version with a word that is not even a name.

Oh forgot to add its not your child and there is no history or cute back story to the rename.

So would you just decide someone else's child was called something completely different and that was that?

OP posts:
DeWe · 20/11/2013 11:32

I would avoid any nickname that starts "baby" anyway.

A bit like you saying about Baby Jay.

My brother had a friend who was called James after his father. So when he was little he became "Baby James", shortened down to "BJ". When he went to school they thought this might be a bit embarrassing, so they decided to call him "Jamie" for school.

Only thing was all his friends from preschool went to the same school, so they called him "BJ" and as they were in the majority, the others picked it up quickly.
Just to say he's in his 30s now and still known in certain circles as "BJ", perhaps tellingly he introduces himself as "Jamie" and admits if pressed he wishes the "BJ" thing had never started as he does find it embarrassing when people ask him why.

UriGeller · 20/11/2013 11:34

YA(baby)BOO Grin

All my kids are called "Sausage"

bluecheeseforbreakfast · 20/11/2013 11:39

I think unreasonable. There is a lovely saying in the country I lived in which translates to "a loved child has many names" only people who care about a child gives then a nick name, it's a sign of affection as far as I'm concerned.

youretoastmildred · 20/11/2013 11:41

It took me ages to stop calling dd1 the silly name we had for her in utero. Ages. She looked just like she felt in the womb. It was her. my mum didn't like it. (it was very silly)

silkknickers · 20/11/2013 11:46

my DCs are collectively known by "you! No, not YOU! The other one!" Grin

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 20/11/2013 11:52

The thing about random nicknames is that they have to be embraced and enjoyed, either by the whole family if the baby's too little to approve, or by the person on the receiving end.

Different but similar situation in our family, one adult girl and her partner constantly refer, in what everyone else takes to be a snidey way, to her sister's partner by a different form of his name, let's say if his name was Richard - it's not - that they always call him Dicky Hmm
They constantly do this despite knowing he doesn't like it and that no one else likes or does it either.
Our way of dealing with them is to ignore it and always use his preferred name, so it ends up looking as though it's just them and their flat little joke.

I'd reply to emails saying, 'Who? oh you mean X' when they respond they'll probably apologize and you can say 'No one has any idea why she's saying that, it's very strange'

MammaTJ · 20/11/2013 12:00

my DCs are collectively known by "you! No, not YOU! The other one!"

Thanks for that! I am sat in a coffee shop, MN ing alone and got some odd looks when I laughed aloud at that!

I have similar in that the youngest gets called 'Ge-Ti-Owen'!

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 20/11/2013 12:12

It's a horrid nickname :o I would call her "Lally Loo" or some equally frilly nonsense and see how she likes it. Maybe she can shorten it to BB or something?

But at the same time, YABU because people can nickname anyone anything really. I know people as "John boy" or "Curly" or whatever and it's only because we're friends and it's a fond thing to call them. I don't expect everyone to call them that, in fact it would be extremely odd if they did. My brother was master of nicknames (damn age gap) and my family call me various things leftover from then, but if anyone else tries it - and they have - I tell them to sod off.

Basically, relax, it won't last and it won't "change her name" in the wider sense. In 6 months you'll probably know her as SF for Sausage Fingers or something. :)

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 20/11/2013 12:14

MammaTJ - I'm below not only other family members and colleagues but also all the dogs in my mum's naming list.

EldritchCleavage · 20/11/2013 12:16

I know someone who was randomly renamed, aged 14. By his snobby mother, because the original name was not distinctive enough. He is still known by the poncetastic new name.

Mandy2003 · 20/11/2013 12:19

OP's DM is obviously channelling Honey Boo Boo on this one I think!

Chattymummyhere · 20/11/2013 12:32

Mine have nicknames one even has the dreaded "princess" nickname however her brother calls her it and its stuck with everyone now she no doubt thinks her name is princess

pianodoodle · 20/11/2013 12:37

Next time you see her say "alright Dave?" like Trigger does to Rodney :)

ZombieMojaveWonderer · 20/11/2013 13:25

Aww I think 'baby boo' is cute. No harm in it surely. I called my first baby 'sweets' for years no one asked why or commented on it.

Original poster
IneedAsockamnesty · 20/11/2013 15:23

TheReal. No dad and I are not togather she's never met him but has decided from afar that she dislikes him. Don't think she's softening on nicknames as just now when talking to her on the phone I decided to insert a nickname instead of using my nephews name and she was quite short with me whilst correcting me.

I've asked her directly if she dislikes the name ( not Eleanor) and she said she thinks its lovely (but does have form for porkie pies).

Its most peculiar,she's not even met her yet so not a case of her setting eyes on her and having a ohh she looks like a baby boo moment. But every opportunity where you would normally use a child's name she's substituting it with bloody baby boo even on photos.

I personally would never just bestow a nick name on a child that was not mine unless they were old enough to demonstrate a preference for one or they already had one but I don't actually have an issue with nicknames its just,well, baby boo sounds so odd to me and so far removed from what anybody at all in our family would say.

I'm going to have to shoot her or something arnt I.lets hope no strange hunting related accidents happen on my property just incase anybody took that comment seriously

OP posts:
TheRealAmandaClarke · 20/11/2013 15:28

Ok.
It sounds to me like she's making a point of some sort.
Maybe the nickname is a way of her making her own special bond with your baby IYSWIM.
Is she happy for you? Baby boo sounds quite cute IMHO. Or do you think she's distancing and not acknowledging your baby in the way that you would expect/ hope.

How are you doing? Brew
Ah, I bet your baby smells scrummy.

PurpleRayne · 20/11/2013 16:59

It is exceptionally odd - is anything else going on with her behaviours?

Original poster
IneedAsockamnesty · 20/11/2013 17:24

Yep she's got that wonderful baby's head smell.

Happy wise mums not really fussed but then again she never really has been she's not the sort to say congratulations but she also would not express anything else iykwim. Interestingly she did want to send me flowers when I was in hospital (she's never done that before) but didnt because when she asked for the hospital address so she could they told her not to.

As to things going on I doubt it,but she has recently been blathering on with some nonsense about wind turbines,not sure exactly what but something to do with wanting some and someone else saying they are a blight on the countryside.But that's about the only thing I can think of

OP posts:
sparechange · 20/11/2013 17:32

Can you start calling her Mummy Moo, and see how long it takes her to say something?
Then innocently say that you thought you were just all making up weird nicknames for each other now?

PurpleRayne · 20/11/2013 17:58

Granny Boo Boo?

TheRealAmandaClarke · 20/11/2013 18:04

Why hasn't she seen baby yet?

Is that speaking out of turn? Sorry.
My DM and I love one another but are not what I would call close, in the way that,I see with other ppl and their DMs.
Sometimes when she uses mannerisms or turns of phrases that are a bit "familiar" or affectionate Grin I feel off kilter because it feels out of character and I don't know how to respond (I myself am a very "affectionate" person by comparison)
Or is she being deliberately difficult?
Whatever it is I would try not to over think it. She has a new grandchild and has to find h place in the baby's life.

Original poster
IneedAsockamnesty · 20/11/2013 18:46

Why hasn't she seen baby yet?

Because we live at oppersit ends of the country and for the first week and a half we were in hospital and only allowed 2 visitors and her household has been full of puke inducing virus,so quite understandably has said she would prefer to wait until everybody her end is none contagious.

The baby was a little prem and is not even 6lbs yet and even tho she's gc number 16 we are being quite careful about ill people at least until the midwives discharge her.

OP posts:
phantomnamechanger · 20/11/2013 18:59

when they do meet, try this.....

Look baby boo , here's granny poo, say hello to baby boo, granny poo

Original poster
IneedAsockamnesty · 20/11/2013 19:02

It would irk her more if I said nana poo.

So I think I shall.

OP posts:
bluesbaby · 20/11/2013 19:19

Well, my parents often call me Joanne instead of Jane.

On holiday a lady couldn't pronounce Jane so called me Joanne instead, and it just stuck after they used it as a joke.

Some people think it's weird my parents carried on the mis-naming, but I'm used to now.

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