Mixed race children Names (Indian+Black)

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Hi, I am a North Indian Brit (Punjabi) and my DP is British-Nigerian (born here). I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy (two weeks ago) and I couldn't ask for more as I've never been happier. He must have the largest eyes and longest lashes that have ever existed! We agreed on a fairly racially ambitious name that would would be "pronouncable" for English speakers but also hinted at his culture...Taran. I think the name suits him but DP has recently expressed regret that his first name is "too Indian", resulting in feelings of dettachment. I'm truly confused as I love the name and think it suits my beautiful son. DP is now reqiesting we give him an "English" name as we are "both basically English and that's only fair". This just doesn't sit well for some reason. Don't get me wrong, I'm a proud British bird but I just want a name that reflects my son's ethnic heritage. Aibu to say to my (very lovely) husband that we can't change his name and what is done is done.

Also, I'm curious to know what mothers (And fathers) have named their mixed racial children. Which ethnicity have you "favoured" re names. One person is always going to be left out regardless of what middle names you choose. We agreed our next child will have a more Nigerian first name. (However we also agreed we want our kids' names to be "cohesive").

Hope that post makes sense as it was quickly typed on a broken IPhone :)

My DC's are British / Nigerian. They have traditional "British" first names and Nigerian middle names. My DH also has a "British" first name and uses his Nigerian name as his middle name. Obviously their surname (and mine) is Nigerian! We both felt as they were born and raised here it would be the better way to do things.

I think the name is cute and in today's multiculturalism but also random naming I wouldn't draw any conclusions from his name Re heritage.

If he really dislikes the name then you can change it but I'd question how he'll cope if he grows up looking more a Indian than Nigerian if he's not able to bond with a child with an Indian name?

more a Indian than Nigerian if he's not able to bond with a child with an Indian name?

I thought Taran was Welsh!

I teach a white female called Tarran. I have taught an asian boy called Taran in the past. Its a lovely name, but names have stopped being cultural really, so go with what you like.

Our children have names that work in both cultures, but it took many hours of thinking.

Does your son ( Congratulations!) have a Nigerian surname? As it happens I don’t see that as ‘obvious’ at all. Our children have both our surnames (neither their Dad nor I changed our names in marriage) and love it.

It may be that a nick name is your answer.

But..... it sounds a bit odd for your DH to be reacting in this way. Is he adapting well to fatherhood, to having a new born whatever he may be called? Is he getting hassle from family members? Is it the case in one of the Nigerian communities that the father always chooses the name of the child?

So far my son is very fair skinned (relatively for Indians) and looks just like me as a new born.

My DC are African (me) and British/Italian (DH). They have Italian first names that are well recognised in the UK and middle names from my country. They're known by their first names at school and on official documents but most family members and close friends use nicknames for their middle names.

I think that given you’ve already named him, you both have to agree before you change it.

I think Taran is a great name.

Thinking of the mixed race kids I know, they mostly have racially ambiguous names... these kids are all half-Asian, half-white British:
- Maya
- Jasmin
- Asha
- Mya
- Lily

I also know some half Pakistani half white British kids with Pakistani names; my point being that I don’t think there’s any one right way to do this!

Yes his surname (ours) is Nigerian

So if he’s got a Nigerian surname, I think it’s absolutely right he gets a vaguely Indian first name.

So your husband wants him to have an English first name, Nigerian surname and nothing Indian? He’s the one being unreasonable.

He’s being silly, particularly as the baby has his, Nigerian, surname.

Taran is also a Welsh name.

So far my son is very fair skinned (relatively for Indians) and looks just like me as a new born
Sounds like an identity crisis. Looks like Mum, name is more Mums culture etc. I doubt he'd care so much if he looked like his Daddy more.

My friends kids were all quite pale skinned (half Sri-Lankan, half English) but it's changed over time, and certainly kids features are prone to change too.

Tell him it's Welsh so you're keeping it. Could you add a Nigerian middle name?

So your husband wants him to have an English first name, Nigerian surname and nothing Indian? He’s the one being unreasonable
This is right. I withdraw my middle name suggestion.

He is just so obviously a Taran :). As neither of us have an Englidh name I just don't get the logic.

I'd go off piste and call him Antonio!

He has a Nigerian surname so it's fair to have an Indian first name or an international name that can work - Adam, Zach... With a Indian middle name.

His middle name is a lovely Nigerian name that I love. I fully expect for my son's skin to get darker but I really don't pay that much attention. My dp pointed out that we live in a predominantly white area. Which is true but that is the background in which I was raised and it did me no harm (with a non-English name).

I love that name. I would use it and I’m white english. Not too Indian at all!

But Taran isn't an obviously Indian name anyway so if it's about people discriminating based on a name on a sheet his quote obviously not English surname is a bigger tell. Suggest he be Taran Smith.

VenusInSpurs- he LOVES being a dad. He is the most cobsiderate/hands on dad! I couldn't ask for more. Tbh that's why I find this whole name issue so unexpected.

My relatives in the US kids have 2 names - and English version and a second name. I'm not sure which order they come but th children answer to both (or neither).

My daughter who is mixed
I’m white British, Dh Nigerian. Has both a Nigerian first and surname we did this to keep her in touch with her nigerian heritage as she will grow up in Britian. Taran has a Nigerian surname only fair he has something relating to your heritage also.

So he wants the kid to have a British first name and Nigerian middle and last names?

Slightly off topic but this reminds me of a tweet I saw a few years back where a guy said his children would have traditional Yoruba first names no matter which culture their mother was from. I don't get this attitude and surely it's better to stick to someone within your own culture if you're unwilling to compromise and accept that your children are equally a part of the other culture.

My DD has a Nigerian middle name, I dont really like it at all but it wouldnt be fair for me to say no altogether.
I wouldnt give one child a more Indian based name and the other a more Nigerian.
Can you DH just nickname him "T"

Some people would go 'British' to avoid a life of well meaning (sometimes) people saying 'when did tly come here' or 'isn't your English good!'.

DH has had a lot of that and finds it a pain. A friend also get it - he has a very plummy English accent and a degree in English literature so finds it amusing (mostly).