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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Upset about critiscm of unborn child name.

529 replies

patronsaintofglocks · 05/04/2017 13:22

To cut a long story short,

I am pregnant with my first child and DP and I have chosen two names.

For a girl: Noah
(I understand that many people prefer the spelling Noa for a female but we don't.)

For a boy: Ezra

I am sick and tired of my family telling us to change our minds/names. It's getting me down and making me second guess myself.

Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 05/04/2017 19:40

Wow i really can't believe the overreaction here to the name Noah - in a world where Blake Lively's daughter is called James no less!

Not sure actress calling their DD a 'unique' name is that uncommon tbh.

octoberfarm · 05/04/2017 19:42

For what it's worth, OP, I love Noah for a girl. It's unusual and beautiful without being tricky to spell or hard to pronounce Smile Everyone's tastes differ when it comes to names (and I too made the mistake of sharing mine before he was born and got shedloads of opinions), but it's your baby and once people get to know him or her, that'll just be their name - there won't be any more debate about it.

Deadsouls · 05/04/2017 19:42

What about Mandy Patinkin who plays Saul from Homeland?

ShesAStar · 05/04/2017 19:43

OP I love your name choices, personally I love Noah for a girl!

I don't know why people are trying to make you feel guilty or bad about naming your child, it's a beautiful name and I wouldn't bat an eyelid!

buttercup54321 · 05/04/2017 19:44

Noah? Poor poor girl. Don't like Erazer much either. Don't tell people your names if you don't want a discussion over them

grannytomine · 05/04/2017 19:45

Granny-I imagine they have Well he seems to have coped Scarlett and doesn't show any obvious signs of trauma so I think it will work out.

TomaytoTomahto · 05/04/2017 19:51

Wow i really can't believe the overreaction here to the name Noah - in a world where Blake Lively's daughter is called James no less!

Frank Zappa has a daughter named Moon Unit and another named Diva Muffin. Don't think celebrity kids' names are a good benchmark to have...

Babykoala1 · 05/04/2017 19:53

Maybe Noah will get invited to more job interviews as people will assume she's a man.

LEELULUMPKIN · 05/04/2017 19:57

It's a "Noah" from me sorry. She will spend the rest of her life having to explain it and also I think it is so linked to a boys name she is most likely to be called Nora.

Just pray she never gets nits!

beautiebyqueenie · 05/04/2017 19:59

Erza is a really cool name for a boy!! I've not heard of Noah as a girls name before but I like it! It's your baby, not theirs!!

user1489261248 · 05/04/2017 20:05

FGS, nobody is a hater, as someone said on the previous page; people are genuinely trying to convince the OP that it's not a good idea to call her daughter Noah! Confused

Seems like she made her mind up before even posting the thread though, and to hell with what anyone else thinks. On her head be it then; when she has a lifetime of people ridiculing her for giving her daughter a boy's name. I feel for the child to be honest. Sad And I'm not being goady, I genuinely do. As many people have said, it's not just about the parent's wants and needs; the child has to live with the name too!

Wonder how long it will be before the OP starts a thread saying 'Utterly regret the name I gave my daughter as everyone thinks it's a boy name, and she is being ridiculed at school.' Hmm

maddiemookins16mum · 05/04/2017 20:09

Who the flippin eck is Blake Livesly, some American "star" who will be unheard of in a few years so we'll all call our kids after his!!!!

maddiemookins16mum · 05/04/2017 20:12

I'd also really, really love to hear the names of all the daughters of the MN posters who say "yay, call your baby DD Noah", go on then......

""Err, yes, she's Sophie"

Etc......

GidgetMems · 05/04/2017 20:14

Just out of interest, a question for everyone saying that school would be hell with a name like Noah for a girl ( ridiculous notion in my opinion- no kid will care! My daughter is 'Butterfly' and not one person in 5 years has said anything negative. I doubt an 'H' on the end of a name will be noticed by any child as they'll be busy trying to spell their own name.)

Anyway, the question... does that mean the posters that say she would be bullied and that's why to not use it would agree it was suitable if she was home educated and therefore not in a school environment?

I'm another one that actually loves it, but I got shredded last year for considering 'Roah' for a girl. So OP, I say good on you using it! I wouldn't question it if I met her with that name.

MollyHuaCha · 05/04/2017 20:19

I would suggest (seeing as you have asked for comments) that you use Noah as a middle name.

SushiMash · 05/04/2017 20:22

I cam't imagine anyone will bully or give a shit tbh. The most she'll get is having to say 'Noa with a H' after that I very much doubt it will be mentioned again.

SushiMash · 05/04/2017 20:23

cam't = can't

Orange80 · 05/04/2017 20:25

Oh my goodness can't believe how judgemental everyone is!

I know a little girl Noa (without the h). I love her name and she's the sweetest girl, too.

Also know a baby Ezra love that too.

Do agree that sharing your name choices with people before they're born isn't the best idea, but I'm sure you'll agree with that now.

Ignore the critics and go with your own choices. I have an unusual name myself and totally love it.

goodpiemissedthechips · 05/04/2017 20:25

Who the flippin eck is Blake Livesly, some American "star" who will be unheard of in a few years so we'll all call our kids after his!!!!

Blake Lively is a woman Grin

Drivemetofolkestone · 05/04/2017 20:26

I didn't get grief about my dreadful name until I changed schools at seven. My first little friends just took it for granted, because they'd met me when we were all four, when you don't question things like that. But when you meet older children, who realise that it's strange, and either question it or laugh at it, it becomes an issue. Carry that on to secondary school, further education, every job interview, every new social occasion - the constant explaining, laughing along, cringing inside - and it's really, really hard. Don't be blasé about it until you've been through it. In fact, if you've been through it, it's impossible to be blasé. Internally, at least, no matter how chilled you may seem.

user1489261248 · 05/04/2017 20:27

Butterfly? You called your daughter Butterfly?

Words fail me.

Even if people haven't said much to your face, I am willing to bet plenty is being said behind your back.

And she is only 5 now, you have no idea how people are going to react when she is older; a teen, an adult. If she wants to be a professional, and/or have a serious career, she will definitely have to change her name.

Orange80 · 05/04/2017 20:27

Ps: was never bullied for my name. Not once. And it is a lot more unusual than either Noah for a girl or Ezra!

lljkk · 05/04/2017 20:27

People won't be less critical after baby is born.
So you know they won't like it... will you keep up the peeved feeling b/c they won't like it, or learn to smile them off? Your choice.

user1489261248 · 05/04/2017 20:28

@Orange, nobody is being judgemental. Most people are simply being realistic.

Orange80 · 05/04/2017 20:29

(And, for what it's worth, I changed schools at 9 then 14. Still never bullied about my name. In fact, the girls with kind of ordinary names were jealous of it.)