To want people to calm my baby by his actual name?

[SimGuruRu]

Name change as outing. To avoid the inevitable “what’s his name” replies ... he’s called Brian, hence outing.
He’s 6 weeks old and friends and family seem unable to call him by his actual name. They make up stupid names for him “baby Bobo” for example, I’ve had people literally snigger when I say his name. MIL has outright told us it’s an awful name for a baby and she can’t say it without laughing.
I’ve told DH I’m getting to the point where I feel if people can’t call him by his name maybe they shouldn’t be seeing him?! He thinks this is an overreaction and that I’m being too dramatic. They are going to make him grow up hating his own name.
AIBU?

@turnthebiglightoff

Saying you don't like something isn't rude.

"I don't like mustard".

There. Was that rude?

Is mustard your child though? If not, it’s not a useful comparison

Nothing wrong with the name Brian. Brian Boru was a High King of Ireland in the 11th century. And to be honest, the people mocking it probably like silly little names like Ernie and Wilf.

So if anyone gives you any nonsense just channel a bit of Brian Boru fury.

Agree with previous posters. Brian is a big name for a tiny baby but better that way than having a baby name as an adult (a friend named their baby Albie. Cute for a baby, not so much for later in life). Pet name are totally normal. I have a baby and rarely use her proper name.

Why all the hate? It's a lot less out there than lots of names that get used.

I'd have gone for it as a middle name, if at all.

I put Brian in the same group as Roy, Graham etc.

@RapidRadish

Agree with previous posters. Brian is a big name for a tiny baby but better that way than having a baby name as an adult (a friend named their baby Albie. Cute for a baby, not so much for later in life). Pet name are totally normal. I have a baby and rarely use her proper name.

I know a 35 year old Albie and didn't think twice about it being a 'baby' name.

Poor 35 year old Albie having such an infantile name.

This thread has given me semantic satiation!

Brian is a gorgeous name 🥰

@MyDcAreMarvel

Old man names sound fine for a baby , middle age man names do not. You can change the birth certificate under 12 months . Would you consider changing it to a middle name.

Rude.

@BeneathYourWisdom we’re not all 40+ on here. Younger generations, including mine and his, don’t hold the same prejudice against “Brian” as you do

I’m not 40+ either 😊 and tbh I hadn’t heard of the movie title until it was mentioned after my comment. I haven’t seen the movie either.

I don’t have a prejudice against the name, I just think it sounds very dated in 2021 (and not in a hippy chic way like Alfie, Horatio, Austin etc). I think there’s a reason some names fall out of fashion permanently.

Fair enough if you choose to name your baby one of these rarely used names that were popular many decades ago and haven’t been since. But you need to accept that some people (like your MIL) will be unable to say the name without laughing, especially if it has comical links to a movie.

Hey hun. Names is hard, we named out baby boy after his grandad Brian but luckily our family are Welsh and their versioning the name is Bryn (means hill) 😊

I just think it sounds very dated in 2021 (and not in a hippy chic way like Alfie, Horatio, Austin etc). I think there’s a reason some names fall out of fashion permanently.

Very few names fall out of fashion permanently. If you'd have told people in 1990 that Arthur would be the most popular boys' name in 2021 they'd have laughed in your face.

People grow into a name and then it's nothing but normal. I wouldn't worry.

Brian is a great name OP
Ignore the haters

The general polite reactions on this thread seem to be;

It's not awful
It's fine
My brother in law's called Brian
It's a perfectly normal, serviceable name

All kind comments but not exactly complimentary

What an odd thread though. Posted at 8am, in the Mirror by 9 and no further comment from Op apart from feigned surprise that anyone thought the name an unusual choice.

I'm finding it hard to believe people are "sniggering when told his name" in real life.

The Brian I know was named after Brian Boru - High King of Ireland.

@SimGuruRu

Wow must say I’m surprised by some of these responses. Didn’t expect that from fellow parents 😞 What on earth is wrong with Brian? Why is it any different from George? Alfie? Archie?

Brian doesn't fit in the same group as those names though- it is more like Malcolm, Dennis, Kenneth or Leonard.

George is a classic name and has been used for hundreds of years..

Alfie and Archie previously would have been common among men born in the late 19th/early 20th century, and were not really used again until very late 20th/early 21st century.
Brian was last popular between 1930s-1950s, therefore a grandad name for a lot people having children now, so not yet due for a resurgence in popularity.

I think YANBU. It’s a perfectly fine name and friends and family should use it. I agree some people naturally shorten names or make up cutesy nicknames but if they are actively saying/showing they dislike the name then that is just rude! I’ve taught children with all kinds of ‘old fashioned’ names in recent years - No problem from other kids about their names!

Brian is a great name and very fitting for when he grows up - I agree with PP’s there are far too many names these days that sound cutesy for kids but will be faintly ridiculous for a professional person.

Also wouldn’t worry about nicknames for babies - my 4 month old DS gets called everything under the sun - highlights include ‘poopstick’ and ‘king boo’

Is it really that different to Arthur or Alf or Wilf? All old men names to me...

I don't understand the hate. People are so rude!
OK so it might not be fashion right now, should you call him a "popular" name like Oliver so he can be one of five kids with the same name in his class just because it's fashion now 🙄

Someone - ANYONE - what's wrong with Brian?

Many of you are going off as if she's called him Satan or something.

I'm 62 and Brian was a relatively common name when I was growing up. My first boyfriend was Brian.

I've spent the last few years astonished at some of the very unusual names people are routinely calling babies these days - and people are saying "No, just no!" to Brian?

Explanation?

Oh dear

Not sure if you have seen it yet but you are on the Mirror website!

YANBU, and other posters are being very rude about the name you've chosen. For people over a certain age, the name Brian might have negative connotations, but that's irrelevant. To the children your son will actually grow up with, it will just be a name like any other, albeit a slightly unusual one.
I remember thinking that names like Eleanor and Grace were desperately old-fashioned, and now they're just normal. Likewise, I grew up with a load of Phils and Louises, and those names are right out of fashion now.
I wouldn't go so far as banning people from seeing him; just be very firm about the name!