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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my baby a name from another culture.

213 replies

BubbleMix · 02/08/2018 16:45

We are expecting our first DD in October. There is a name I really like, however everyone I have ever met with this name has come from a specific country which myself and OH have no connection to. I love the name but I don’t know if DD will have to keep explaining her name growing up. Should I go with it or pick something else?

OP posts:
thegrinningfox · 02/08/2018 21:48

No

LoveInTokyo · 02/08/2018 21:49

I thought of GoT too.

Yara. I quite like it.

LaLaLolly · 02/08/2018 21:49

I’ve taught quite a few little girls from Portugal with the name.

I've never met or heard of a single Portuguese person with this name (and I was born and raised in Lisbon).

Also, Portugal has an official list of admissible names and I would think it unlikely "Yara" was on it.

Are you sure you heard it right, OP?

thegrinningfox · 02/08/2018 21:50

Sorry was replying to a poster. Not weird at all. Go for it.

Cakepop9 · 02/08/2018 21:53

Priya and Priyanka are two different names - think Emma and Emily. Funnily, Priya and Priyanka are less trendy at the moment in Asian culture.

Strongmummy · 02/08/2018 21:53

Yara is cute. Wouldn’t have a clue where it was from, but it may be a conversation starter for her when she’s older.

However, I’m rather hypocritical as I’d raise an eyebrow if you called her Amira (which is princess in Arabic). I’m Arab and To me it’s only associated with the Middle East or Muslim countries and so I’d find it odd that someone with no connection would have that name.

Ethylred · 02/08/2018 21:54

Giving odd names to children does them no favours at all.
Why make their lives in the playground utter misery?

GoneWishing · 02/08/2018 21:55

I have a very un-British name (which isn't weird, as I'm not British, and it's common where I'm actually from), but a British surname and no obvious foreign accent, and a lot of people in England just seem to assume my weird name must be Irish, as them lot have such weird names...

atomicfission · 02/08/2018 21:56

I know a little girl called Yara. Beautiful name. One of the parents is part-Arabic.

FrenchDucksSayCoinCoin · 02/08/2018 21:59

It’s grown on me as I’ve read the thread, but my first thought was the fertiliser company. I don’t suppose many people would have that as a first thought though.

EssentialHummus · 02/08/2018 22:06

I have a little (Israeli) cousin called Ya'ara, so I wouldn't bat an eye at this name in particular.

Having said that, a uni friend was your classic privately educated Jewish princess type... whose mum had given her a very common Zulu first name. Not a day went by when she didn't have to explain herself. Not sure I'd wish it on anybody.

Original poster
BubbleMix · 02/08/2018 22:20

LaLaLolly I’m pretty sure as I have taught 3. For a year each at a time that I had their correct names.

OP posts:
MariaMadita · 02/08/2018 22:49

Yara is lovely imo :) it does reminds me of Yaron, tbh...

And isn't it also a form of Irene? Anyhow, it's super pretty.

I like names like "that"... (Yara, Yana, Tara, Cora, Cara, Anya, Mara, Dora etc...)

Davros · 03/08/2018 09:03

Angela, Sandra and Linda were originally Italian weren't they? Who would know now?
I have one of the weird Irish names (as mentioned below) which was also the name of a prominent soap character. Only the way it was pronounced on the telly was NOT how it should be said and I had years of people immediately calling me the horrid version and thinking they were funny by mentioning the character and doing an impression. It pissed me off and I used to enforce the correct pronounciation but now .... can't be bovvered and I think the character is dead anyway

RandomObject · 03/08/2018 09:06

I'm another one with an Italian name that is uncommon, but not particularly unusual in UK. Every single Italian person I meet does ask me if I have a connection to the country (often Spanish and Portuguese people too) but none find it that odd when I say I don't.

LuluBellaBlue · 03/08/2018 09:10

I’m English, with an Arabic name, but look Mediterranean.
I love people never being able to place my origins, it makes me seem far more exotic than I am Grin

blackteasplease · 03/08/2018 09:14

Yara is a very pretty name but it does make me think of GoT. And it's worse because the name Yara is in the tv series and not the book. But you might have to be a GoT fan to care. And Yara is a cool character.

It is a very nice name though in itself. It would work fine in UK.

blackteasplease · 03/08/2018 09:16

I have an Italian name which is v commom in Italy and v well known in UK.

Unfortunately it's a name pretentious middle class people who aren't actually posh use. Otherwise I like it.

You'll know he name. It's the most commonly filched one (outside of Maria etc)

blackteasplease · 03/08/2018 09:16

Oh but my Mum is Italian, I meant to say!

Davros · 03/08/2018 09:17

Francesca? Olivia?

thisismygaff · 03/08/2018 09:24

Perfectly acceptable and normal name to be honest regardless of ethnicity. The name isn't attached to any culture ( that I know of). Go for it.

sashh · 03/08/2018 09:27

Where is Yara from? I've never heard it before?

The Iron Isles

OP it is a lovely name but people will think 'GOT'

JustTheLemons · 03/08/2018 09:36

Agree- your only possible issue here is if you don’t like the idea of people assuming you are a Game of Thrones fan as everyone who has seen it will immediately think that’s why you’ve done it.

If it doesn’t bother you go ahead!

And as PP have said, Yara is an excellent character.

JellyBears · 03/08/2018 09:38

It’s a name of Brazilian origins and Arabic and Brazilians speak Portuguese.. it’s a lovely name.

Sunshiness · 03/08/2018 09:42

I think Yara is really beautiful OP and would be fine.