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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Naming babies names that are definitely not what they say

156 replies

Lelophants · 20/02/2021 17:14

For some reason I can't understand this! Dh disagrees. Am I mad?

Naming a baby after a month, despite being born in a different month? (Referring to the new royal August). What does the name mean then?

I've also known an Autumn born in June and a Summer born just before Christmas in snowy Canada (very out of season!!) I feel like names have meanings and associations in some way, whether you like it or not. And it feels like a mistake? Like they didn't realise? It just feels wrong!

I understand with names with less known meanings e.g. rowan meanings red, because a lot of people won't know that.

But August? We all know it's month number 8 🤦🏻‍♀️ I. Just. Cant.

OP posts:
SachaStark · 20/02/2021 19:54

August is lovely.

Tbh, I’d definitely find it more lame if a baby called August/April/May, etc, WAS born in that particular month. I think I’d personally find it too twee to handle. Naming outside of that isn’t “untidy”, it just shows that they really like the name, not just from a convenience perspective.

Anyway, I’m named after a goddess... should I start to behave as though I’m some kind of deity? Because I am totally okay with that 😉

feelingverylazytoday · 20/02/2021 20:00

Couldn't care less to be honest. Just pick a name that you like the sound of and won't make the kid feel embarrassed or a target for bullies, and have done with it. Names aren't that big a deal.

pigsDOfly · 20/02/2021 20:02

Goodness, OP. Clearly a bit of a mistake starting a light hearted thread on here tonight.

All I can advise is just be really careful never to start a thread on mn about anything unless you've thought it through very, very deeply, it has a very strong impact on you personally, otherwise, apparently it's none of your business, and you know the subject inside out.

And just to make sure always put (light hearted) beside your title if it's a light hearted thread.

Unless you stick to those rules you're clearly going get a lot of snippy posts, as you have on this thread.

Oh, and watch your spelling and grammar, because if you make any mistakes, those too will be jumped on.

FangsForTheMemory · 20/02/2021 20:03

All names have meanings though. I'm nothing like the meaning of either of my given names.

Saviouronthreelegs · 20/02/2021 20:04

August is named after Augustus which is a family name, not the month. It also has a lot more meanings than just the 8th month. (Though technically the month was named after those things so maybe it does mean the same...)

Twinkie01 · 20/02/2021 20:06

I've just watched Wonder and the little boy was called August. Auggie for short.

It's a family name for the royals. From the Hanoverian line. Prince Ernst August.

Octane · 20/02/2021 20:08

I actually think it's MORE weird to name a girl April/May/June if they're born in that month. Like weirdly deliberate rather than just liking the name.

Annabell80 · 20/02/2021 20:14

Two of my children have names that sound Christmasy but all were born in the summer. Not deliberate just liked the names.

Octane · 20/02/2021 20:19

If someone said to me "I really love the name Holly but she's gonna be born in July, such a shame I can't use it", I'd say WHAT??! Are you kidding me??

JurassicShay · 20/02/2021 20:23

My baby has the same name as a day of week. It just so happens that she was born on that day, she would have been called this even if she hadn't.

Why does it matter to you?

Nothappyland · 20/02/2021 20:24

Tbf I wanted to give my DD a welsh middle name and the only ones I liked were Seren and Haf. Haf means summer and she was going to be born in Spring... so Seren it was! So yes, I do think I follow this 😂

Mumoftwoinprimary · 20/02/2021 20:25

@Octane

If someone said to me "I really love the name Holly but she's gonna be born in July, such a shame I can't use it", I'd say WHAT??! Are you kidding me??
Where as I would say “yes - I know - I rather liked Summer but Dd was born in March”.

I have a conjecture here - if you split people into “STEM” background and “Arts” background, I reckon that most of the STEM people will be horrified about a June born in January whilst the majority of the “Arts” people will think it is fine.

I am a mathematician for the record. The thought of a “Sunday” being born on a Wednesday makes my teeth itch!

SunshineCake · 20/02/2021 20:26

It's an established Royal name.

I think it is more daft to name a child as over the season they were born. We have a child with a name that could be related to Christmas but if they had been born in December they definitely would not have the name they have.

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 20/02/2021 20:27

My DD has the name of a month she wasn't born in.

The meaning is....drum roll please...we liked the name.

You're welcome

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 20/02/2021 20:27

I. Just. Cant.

I. Doubt. They. Care

JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows · 20/02/2021 20:29

@JurassicShay

My baby has the same name as a day of week. It just so happens that she was born on that day, she would have been called this even if she hadn't.

Why does it matter to you?

Is it Sunday? I LOVE that name for a girl
Sparklesocks · 20/02/2021 20:29

I have a conjecture here - if you split people into “STEM” background and “Arts” background, I reckon that most of the STEM people will be horrified about a June born in January whilst the majority of the “Arts” people will think it is fine.

I suppose people from neither background won’t have an opinion then Grin

HauntedPencil · 20/02/2021 20:31

Why are you all so grumpy?

PurBal · 20/02/2021 20:31

One of my favourite names is Augustine... a natural shortening would be August, Gus, Augy, etc...

HauntedPencil · 20/02/2021 20:34

Am I now going to have to google who's called their kid August?

DryIce · 20/02/2021 20:35

I'm from the southern hemisphere - if I were called Autumn would I never be allowed to travel?!

WaltzesWithSnobs · 20/02/2021 20:36

August may be the 8th month but 'august' doesn't mean '8th month'. If any month means '8th month' it's actually 'October'.

October, November and December were the 8th, 9th and 10th months before we slipped in July and August - named after Julius and Augustus Caesar.

Carycy · 20/02/2021 20:41

Oh dear. I have a Leo that is a cancer sign. Is that an issue?

SachaStark · 20/02/2021 21:13

Also, for names relating to days of the week: besides the parents, and possibly the grandparents... does anybody remember or care what day of the week that “Sunday”, for instance, is born on?

It’s not like your birthday falls on the same day of the week every year. Why does it matter what day you’re born on?

LynetteScavo · 20/02/2021 21:20

@Etinox

My bug bear is Benjamin/ Ben for firstborns. It’s just wrong!
I think it only becomes wrong when they have a younger brother. Lots of people get away with it these days.