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AIBU?

AIBU to call our baby.....?

90 replies

namechangeobvs · 26/05/2015 07:52

Having trouble picking a name for upcoming baby. I really like Obi Wren (instead of Wan), but I don't think it's fair to lumber the child with a silly Star Wars name, even though I think it's dead cute. Obviously, dh loves it and 100% wants to go with it.
AIBU to call a baby Obi?

OP posts:

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Stinkylinky · 27/05/2015 06:10

I like Obi, but not Obi Wren.

I met an actual Anakin Skywalker once

AnulTheMagnificent · 26/05/2015 23:28

My friend named her daughter Obi, this was a good few years ago, probably late 1970's/early 80's. They were also Nigerian.

Dowser · 26/05/2015 22:39

Haven't read full thread but what about Tobi , then you can call him Obi if you wish and he has the option of a more conventional name at school

AliceLidl · 26/05/2015 21:28

You might as well go with it OP.

I carefully chose a name for DS (now age 6) which is traditional, classic, timeless and honouring a very much loved family member.

Recently he asked me why I hadn't called him Flash instead. Apparently it's his favourite name.

At least it gives me time to prepare myself for whatever names he decides to give to my future grandchildren

Songlark · 26/05/2015 20:08

It's entirely up to you what name you give your child, but you asked if ywbu.....Please think of the child. Would he/she thank you for it when grown up. Would the name be a burden to him/her. Fwiw I think the name is positively awful. Sorry but you did ask.

awombwithaview · 26/05/2015 20:05

I know an Obi, he is Obediah (biblical name).....s'cute on him to be honest.

saltnpepa · 26/05/2015 20:02

If you have to ask the answer is obvious

BettyCatKitten · 26/05/2015 19:59

I like pip!

Sconejamcream · 26/05/2015 19:42

If you are happy for kids to take the pis out of the name for at least ten years, then go for it.

MaryBerrysLostCherry · 26/05/2015 19:40

Reminds me of Garfield.

Slowtrain2dawn · 26/05/2015 19:32

Lovely name. Especially as Obi means heart! I wouldn't make the the Star Wars connection, but think unhyphenated is better. We definitely over hyphenate these days.

Gem124 · 26/05/2015 19:19

I like Obi for a boy!

CycleChic · 26/05/2015 18:14

Someone up thread made me think "Obi Benjamin". You'd then have the added nn of "Old Ben" (Ob Ben perhaps?)

LauraMipsum · 26/05/2015 14:48

I know an Obi who is a Nigerian man so I would assume it was a boy's name.

I've just had a google and it seems that Obi is the Igbo word for "heart."

There are some famous Obis on wiki:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi_(name)

Spydra · 26/05/2015 14:32

Obie for a boy and Wren for a girl - cute.

Both together is too much.

WalterMittyish · 26/05/2015 14:21

Ah, half-term.

Theycallmemellowjello · 26/05/2015 14:19

And haha at the average person not knowing any Africans. what if the average person... is African????

Theycallmemellowjello · 26/05/2015 14:18

Also I know an Oberon - lovely name IMO.

Theycallmemellowjello · 26/05/2015 14:17

I don't mind non-traditional names, but I am snobby enough that I would find it reeaally hard not to judge someone with a name from a cheesy franchise (star wars/star trek/comic book etc). I would have no problem with high-brow literary name (or perhaps a name from an unimpeachably tasteful film!). I know reading that that this is 100% my problem with intellectual snobbery but I reckon a lot of people would share it. I agree that the initials O.B. could be a nice way to square the circle. Or I actually like wren for a boy or girl (no reason we should give 'nature' names to only girls after all -- boys are not inherently less like flowers/birds etc than girls!)

WhereYouLeftIt · 26/05/2015 14:08

"I don't think it's fair to lumber the child with a silly Star Wars name, even though I think it's dead cute. Obviously, dh loves it and 100% wants to go with it."
Correct. It is absolutely not fair. You know that, so get a fucking grip. And obviously, if your DH 100% wants to go with it, he's a twat. A twat with no empathy who can't imagine the shit your child would have to endure if they were to be called that.

morage · 26/05/2015 13:55

SOmmer - Maybe depends where you live. I know people called Obi.

HereNotThere · 26/05/2015 13:55

Xpost. I'm an average person and I thought it was an African name.

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morage · 26/05/2015 13:54

Sunny - There has been lots of research on this. Identical job applications sent off to multiple employers some with names that are common African, Caribbean or Asian ones. The latter always get invited for far less job interviews.
You may still decide to call your child a name that if they are white, could lead to these assumptions, but you need to be aware this may be an issue.

HereNotThere · 26/05/2015 13:53

I think it's a great sounding name but I'd assume it was an black guys name. I don't like it coupled with Wren - its sound a bit odd to me. What about Oberon? It, sort of, sounds the same and it's a nice name.

S0mmer · 26/05/2015 13:51

I would assume the parents were starwars fans. How would the average person know it's a name in africa?!?

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