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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think it's rude to comment on someone's choice of name like this?

241 replies

ThatWasMean · 01/10/2014 14:33

I don't know if it's just pregnancy hormones that are making me feel this way so I may well be being unresonable and probably quite silly but I thought I'd ask anyway.

I'm expecting a baby girl and me and DH have already picked the name out for her. It's not a common name and in fact has never been a popular name in the UK, however it was fairly popular in the US at one point. Even though it's unusual I wouldn't say it was unheard of and it's certainly not weird or out there by any stretch of the imagination.

However there have been a couple of occasions where we've told people what we're going to name her and they've just outright said "that's a horrible name!" Shock.

I get that it's their opinion and everybody has names they don't like. There are lots of names I don't like however I realise that other people do like them and I would never dream of telling someone that I think it's an awful name if that's what they were going to name their baby. I would just smile politely and nod.

I should add we haven't had all negative comments, there have been lots of lovely reactions too but I was just surprised that people felt the need to tell us they think it's horrible after we tell them that's what we're naming her.

Would you tell someone if you thought their chosen name was horrible?

OP posts:
neighbourhoodwitch · 01/10/2014 19:41

Wow I think the name Dana is really really lovely.

ThatWasMean · 01/10/2014 19:42

Username I am ashamed Blush

OP posts:
DoctorLawn · 01/10/2014 19:42

Is it Schuyler?
Go on, you can tell me - promise not to tell anyone else Grin

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 01/10/2014 19:43

I can't resist a guess. It's

Britney Bitch

Grin
DoctorLawn · 01/10/2014 19:43

Oh bum, stupid internet.

Dana's nice. Those people you know are wallies.

letsgotothebeach · 01/10/2014 19:44

Call your child whatever you want - everyone on here saying they cant judge until they know the name and forcing it out of you - ridiculous! Friends that make comments about its horrible are not friends worth having.

Topaz25 · 01/10/2014 19:44

Dana is nice, I can't imagine why people would have a problem with that. YANBU.

WowserBowser · 01/10/2014 19:44

Wasn't expecting Dana! I like it Grin but i was an x-files fan.

moxon · 01/10/2014 19:45

What's wrong with Dana? Ooh, wasn't Roseanne's clever middle daughter called Dana, in the TV show? Or am I showing my age?

DontDrinkAndFacebook · 01/10/2014 19:45

I like Dana. And I don't think it sounds typically American.

Are you pronouncing it Dayna or Darna? I prefer 'Dayna' but I don't mind it either way.

Its certainly not a horrible name so I can't understand why it's provoked such a negative reaction.

I think it sounds quite cool and Scandinavian.

DiseasesOfTheSheep · 01/10/2014 19:45

Dana's fine. Possibly even nice (I'd have to hear it spoken a few times to make that call for definite Grin ). I was expecting something wayyy more out there.

Not that my opinion matters at all.

Topaz25 · 01/10/2014 19:45

At least you're not calling them Fox!

PacificDogwood · 01/10/2014 19:45

ThatWasMean, Dana is a lovely name, I have no idea how anybody could object to it!

I read 5 pages of this thread to find out whether you'd caved Grin - I am glad you did.

And yes, I think it is really rude to comment on unborn child's name when told it by the excited parents - the only acceptable response is 'Oh, lovely'.
However, your tactical error was of course to announce the name beforehand - always a mistake Wink

ThatWasMean · 01/10/2014 19:46

Pill it actually feels more Irish to me too. I do know it was a fairly popular name in the US at one point though, even if it isn't an American name as such. Wheras I don't think it's ever been popular in the UK (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

OP posts:
moxon · 01/10/2014 19:46

And yes, X-files!

ThatWasMean · 01/10/2014 19:47

Pacific true. I realise my mistake now but obviously can't change that. I'll remember for next time though.

OP posts:
Whippet81 · 01/10/2014 19:47

Nothing wrong with it. I quite like it but even if people don't I don't think it needs a severe reaction - it's not weird is it - can't see any school piss taking there. Tell them to FO.

Venticoffeecup · 01/10/2014 19:48

I think they are being rude. I no a few people who gave their DC names I don't like, but they have no idea I feel that way.

I think the name Dana is lovely.

enriquetheringbearinglizard · 01/10/2014 19:49

I always think of it as Irish

and then Roseanna's daughter after that.

Disappointed now OP. This isn't a name anyone should be saying anything negative about, not that they should be so very RUDE in the first place.

VikingLady · 01/10/2014 19:49

Moxon That was Darlene!

I'm clearly very sad

ThatWasMean · 01/10/2014 19:49

DontDrink we're pronouncing it day-na. I know it can be pronounced dah-na or dar-na but don't really like those.

OP posts:
waithorse · 01/10/2014 19:49

Is it pronounced Dayna or Darna ? I like it. Congratulations OP Thanks

Kundry · 01/10/2014 19:51

But Dana is a lovely name!

To anyone late 30s and older it will sound annoying Irish singer turned politician and possibly also Israeli transexual Eurovision winner (both likely reasons it's not been popular) but both those references are quite old now.

Wouldn't have thought is was American, would think it's a great choice.

waithorse · 01/10/2014 19:51

Crosspost. Was hoping you'd say it was pronounced Dayna, much the nicer. It's a lovely name, ignore the rude people. Smile

Kundry · 01/10/2014 19:52

Be prepared though for everyone to pronounce it Dah-na though - you and she will be doing a lot of correcting.