To dislike DD2's name?

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I ADORE DD1's name, Yasmin (leilah is her middle name). But I'm starting to dislike DD2's name, Sheharazade (her middle name is Ava, pronounced Ar-va)people are a bit when I say it and I'm starting to believe the passive aggressive 'joke' that 'she will be 10 before she can spell her own name'. FFS it's so rude! I had to about after her this morning as she ran off in the train station and somebody sniggered! I do sometimes call her Zsa Zsa or Ava but I'm starting to dislike her name and feel terrible! FWIW my DDs are half Iranian and look very DD2 looks very middle eastern so I think she will carry it off when she's older but the name is really starting to wear me down. Does anybody else feel like this about DC's names?

I've sometimes wondered what we were thinking, DS has a very 'grown-up' name and occasionally I question myself - but then I remember why we picked it and calm down.

I think your daughter's name is lovely, by the way!

I know what you mean, it's like they need to 'grown into' their names. We've just moved from London to Devon and I would put money on her being the only Sheharazade in the county! Thank you

How do you pronounce it, OP?

Could you shorten it another way? Zsa Zsa is quite cool.

Shera ?
Shehara ?
Azade ?

DD has a V unusual name and only this month changed her FB from her nickname to her full grown up name - she's 16

It is a tricky name to pronounce, and I'd imagine lots of people would read it on a register and think 'eeeek, how do I say this one?'.

But that doesn't mean you should change it, just settle on a nickname that is a bit 'easier' so to speak.

I think I'd give her a nn of Sadie, it goes well with her sisters name too.

FWIW I think it's beautiful and I'm sure she'll grow into it eventually.

We pronounce it Sha-hair-etz-za-da. I could call her Zadia or use Zsa Zsa more often. She is starting a new pre-prep later this month, would it be bad if I ask them to call her Zsa Zsa or Zadia? Will they think I'm a bit nuts? I live in fear of the dreaded 'Shaz' nickname arising!

Oh I think Zadia is gorgeous. Zsa Zsa is sweet but very high glamour in the multiple marriages, multiple lap dogs kind of way.

Agree with you on all attempts to quash any move towards Shaz.

I think Zadia is lovely, and if you explain she likes to be called by her nickname school will abide with your wishes, in the same way they would call Benjamin - Ben, or Oliver - Ollie.
If you would prefer that go with it.
It is a lovely name, but a very grown up one.

DD1's name is old fashioned but not in a good way. DH liked a girl at college with the name and never got anywhere with her so was keen on the name. I said I'd try it out for a day and had an Italian friend who made it sound beautiful so it stuck. It really suits DD1 but its not what I would have ever imagined choosing for a child of mine.

I named DD2 my choice the moment she was born

OP I think your DD's name is beautiful. Schools my children have gone to have always asked on entry form if name they are known by is different to their given name. You shouldn't have a problem with requesting the school use a specified nickname.

I wouldn't go with zsa-zsa, it makes you think of that awful gabor woman

Zadia is lovely.

I think it's a lovely name but, yes, something a bit shorter might be good for everday use and Zadia is beautiful.

I have occasional wobbles about DD's name too, but for the opposite reason. It's quite a 'cutesy' diminutive name that might sound odd when she's older. She's six now though so it's a bit late anyway!

I think it's a lovely name - but I do think using a shortened version could be the way forward.

DD also has a 5-syllable first name which has had comments along the lines of "that's a mouthful" and "she'll never be able to spell it", even though it is quite a recognisable name. We use a 2-syllable shortened name every day, though. And one we chose as we don't like the current, popular shortening of her name! Nothing wrong with starting her at a new school and saying this is Sheharazade, known as Zadia. It wouldn't be remotely weird to do that. How many parents will take in their "Elizabeth known as Libby" etc?

fortified, it's really interesting to hear someone else say that as we have similar with DD's name! I think it really suits her and I do like it but it's definitely not what I imagined calling a daughter of mine. But I think I am weird as I like that she has her name, not one I'd had in mind for an imaginary child for years.

I think it's beautiful. Zadie would be a lovely diminutive.

I'm loving the name Zadia and may steal it for a future offspring!

I would love to be called Sheharazade. In fact I love the idea so much that it is inspiring to me to write about a girl with that name.

What a wonderful name to have.

although when she's a teenager her friends will call her Shezza. :)

Scheherazade was a Persian queen. Not sure if this is factual or mythical though. Isn't she in 1001 Nights?

she is the one who told the 1001 nights!

Could she become a Zadie?

I knew someone in college called Sheherazade, though she pronounced it 'Sheh-her-a-zade with the 'her' bit rhyming with kerr. Nice name.

Also, can I ask why Ava is pronounced Ar-va? I just don't get that!

All of you lovely MNetters have made me feel better about the name! I'm going to ask for her to be called Zadia at pre-prep as I agree Zsa Zsa is a bit '5 divorces, 10 lap dogs running around the mansion and wears a bad wig'. Ava is pronounce ar-va as it is how it's pronounced in Persian/Farsi (the national language of Iran). ExDH was iranian so pronounced it Ar-va, I really liked it and thought the Iranian 'way' would go with her first name. Thank you for making me feel like less of a terrible parent!

How about calling her Cher? but spelling it Sher?

I like the idea of Etzi as a shortened form.

Your DD has a beautiful name though op.

Do you pronounce the last bit zay - da or zar - da?

If it's the second think I'd go for Zada as the abbreviation, as it sounds more like part of the original name.