to think that Sinjun is really daft?

[ToeKneeChestNut]

My SIL (DB's wife) loves the name StJohn, but doesn't like the spelling. I understand this, as people will often find it confusing and read it as Saint John. I would therefore steer clear of it.

However, she's decided (DB isn't interested in names, so she's choosing), that "Sinjun" is the best solution.

AIBU to think that this is silly? Their DS's last name (he's a couple of days' old) is Smith.

Neither SIL or DB are pretentious people, btw.

I appreciate that SIL or my sister might recognise who this is posting. but it is ok as she knows I think this is really daft. We get on well.

I thought that the replies on here would be useful to either tell me to mind my own, or persuade her to go for a different monker.

How about "Simple" (St Paul)?

I think she should contact Jacob R-M and ask him for suggestions.

How is Lachlan pronounced?

Hello OP's SIL - dont do it!!!!! Your little one will have to live with that name for his whole life!! Cross all versions of the name off the list, and go out for a drink with your SIL who may have a few better suggestions!!!

How about "Simple" (St Paul)?

Don't do that! You just made me laugh hysterically while sitting on the patio late in the evening. The hypersensitive neighbour lady is giving me the evil eye as I type this!

'Sinjun' is truly ghastly, though. Can't they just call the poor child Bernard (first name of the groom whose middle name was St John in Four Weddings and a Funeral)?

I remember my mum, who worked at the council at the time, telling me about a family with several kids and how everyone in the office laughed at one of them being called Sinjun not St John.

If you like the name do it properly or be mocked I think.

Slightly off topic but how do you pronounce featherstonehaugh as someone mentioned earlier? And is crispian a real name?

How is Lachlan pronounced?

Lack lan I believe. But with the ch pronounced as in loch.

how do you pronounce featherstonehaugh

Fanshaw.

Andy : Lachlan should be pronounced with a short a (and a proper ch sound which to be fair only Scots can do really) , not Locklan or Lockie.

And don't forget Beauchamp (Beacham)

It just looks as though she wants to call her child StJohn but hasn't a clue how it is spelt - people will think she's daft as a brush!

Is it too late to put in a suggestion of Menzies for the middle name?

Good work on the ditching of Sinjun, OP's SIL, and congrats on your DS!

Lucien is great. Not convinced about Crispian, sorry.

Quentin? Or continuing the postal theme, Pat?

Yes, Crispian is a (very posh and equally daft) name. I went to school with one. The boy in question was also very posh and very daft.

bairns this came up on a thread a while ago with a very charming lady die to move to Scotland who was about to call her child a rather fey name (can't recall what!)and lots of Scottish posters were advising her against it!

I went to school with a Morag and an Agnes and an Irenee. I teach in England now and tell the kids this just to make them laugh.

Tristan is much nicer, Crispian will get confused with Crispin, people will tease him about crisps, and shorten it to Cris anyway. Tris is a much cooler name :-)

Thank you snickers!!

I knew someone who called their DD Neeve. Yes, they actually spelled it like that!

Oh no, that's a minefield! How are you proposing pronouncing Menzies!!!??

Scots can't agree on that one!!

Lots of Neves about these days. It's because of Neve Campbell largely.

I went to school with a Morag and an Agnes and an Irenee.

I was at school with a Morag. This was on the south coast of England. Her parents were Scots though.

I CBA to google it but I'm pretty sure St John Smith was Roger Moore's alias in the James Bond film A view to a kill.
Are they big Bond fans OP?

I do believe you are right beep !

Aside from all the potential for confusion, its a really odd idea to effectively name a child 'saint' something, a bit sacrilegious? I know it turns up as part of a surname, but that seems different somehow...

StJohn, Lucien or Crispin...

And you say they are not pretentitious OP