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?

All the people using the comparison of not using Dick or Fanny as they are old fashioned as well, that’s not at all comparable to using Brian as a name. Dick and Fanny may have been popular names but there’s a difference between a less used, slightly old fashioned name such as Brian, and those used as slang for genitals

Exactly. When Brian and his chums are old enough to find their first porn video, no one is going to burst into guffaws of laughter because they hear, ‘Yeah, come on baby - suck my brian’.

For all the people debating whether Brian will ever come back into fashion - this data is from 2018/19, depending on the region, but it’s pretty interesting:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51673123

According to this, there were 91 Brians and 64 Bryans born in England in 2018. So whilst it’s nowhere near becoming an Alfie or Archie, it’s certainly not unheard of.

By contrast, names that sound very normal and everyday to me seem to be virtually extinct when it comes to births. My year at school had at least four Louises, three Katies, three Nicolas, two Lyndseys and two Julies - not one of any of those born in 2018 in England. The common boys’ names of the time - James, Matthew, Tom - have mostly held up better, but I remember two Russells in my class, and there were just 19 of those in 2018. It doesn’t sound hideously old-fashioned to my ear, but less than a quarter of the number of Brians...

Ignore them all and enjoy your gorgeous baby boy.

*It’s rude, but you must have known people would find it odd to call a baby Brian?

Obviously you haven't read the full thread as there are many people pointing out that there is nothing wrong with Brian as a name. It's not the OP's choice of name which is odd ...........*

Exactly.

Also, where does it say OP mentioned the name before her son was born?

Countless threads and advice telling parents not to share names or give false names until baby is born because it would be rude to say anything negative about the name afterwards, yet lo and behold the comments on this thread..

It’s rude, but you must have known people would find it odd to call a baby Brian?

It's silly to say that. All Brians were babies once. Anyway it's a nice name.

I called my eldest 'baby' or 'the baby for the first 3 years of his life, until sibling 2 was born. so I wouldn't be too bothered about the names.
Brian is a cute name, tell them to stop being cruel to a baby. that should make them think.
or say 'are you really making fun of my baby again?' in a bored tone, rolling your eyes.
embarrass them. they are taking the mick out of a baby in front of his mother.
absolutely disgusting.
My midwife made fun of my sons name and tried to guess my other children's names, I actually changed GPS to avoid having her as my midwife when I got pregnant again so I feel your pain. With my own family I can tell them to shut the hell up and they either listen or apologise and stop. Inlaws are harder. depends on the relationship but if they are causing you to feel bad about going then just skip a few visits.
your child won't like the people who make fun of him. defend him and well done for defending him already

The comparison with Dick and Fanny is odd.

I know loads of baby Francesca’s. I know Frances and Stephanie aren’t ‘in’ right now but I can see them coming back around. Frances first.

Likewise Richard is still very usable. It’s not trendy right now but it’s a solid name.

@cheesecrackerz has it right

Oh yes I remember when alfie and archie came back in on Eastenders and me and my sister had a right chuckle- especially about the name alfie.
Now every second child in my children's school is either called alifie, alfie, alfie or archie. All of them.
Got quite a few Daisies and maisies too.
at least your son will have a different name and not have to be called 'alfie number 9'

omg just read your post about alfie and archie... agree with George several of those in school too.

The comparison was to show cultural association. Brian wasnt just an "old/unfashionable name," but the butt of jokes - a huge negative cultural association. Obviously that isnt the case for younger posters!

Either way it would be rude to comment irl and after a while everyone "becomes" their name.

But I can see why family might be shocked. I would be, and on the whole names don't face me. But absolutely do baby/cutsey names and then they'll soon get used to it.

Phase/not face.

The point was that the same could be said for there arent negative associations its just an old name" for names we currently find tabboom

Don't worry about it, OP!

I predict that by the time your baby Brian is a teenager, his name will be gaining popularity and in 20 years or so it'll be in the top 20.

This happened to me with my children's names. Born in the early 80s, their names were deeply unpopular at the time. All through childhood, they were the only child in the school with that name.

However, both names started being used more and more. DC1's name made it to the top 10 and DC2's made it to the top of the list!

Both names remain popular but have fallen back from their top spots - but are considered completely acceptable names for a baby.

You're ahead of your time, OP, that's all.

@SavingsQuestions

I think its a name where those with my cultural reference think its obvious you wouldn't call a baby that. Same as you are highly unlikely to call a baby Dick or Fanny now. There's obviously a chunk of people i their 20s for whom don't share the cultural reference so it isn't "obvious."

I am as unlikely to call a baby Brian as I am Dick. But I imagine those in 20 years time may have Dick and Fanny and not know why we'd find it funny.

Why do people keep mentioning Dick and Fanny? They are clearly a totally different thing being sexual slang.

@SavingsQuestions

The comparison was to show cultural association. Brian wasnt just an "old/unfashionable name," but the butt of jokes - a huge negative cultural association. Obviously that isnt the case for younger posters!

I never knew that! I'm 61 and have known a few Brians.

All I can think of is Brian the snail in The Magic Roundabout.

Why do people keep mentioning Dick and Fanny? They are clearly a totally different thing being sexual slang.

Yes and they are nicknames for Richard and Frances.

I've no idea of cultural anything regarding Brian, never heard it.

Brian was a nice snail, was the Magic Roundabout in black and white? In the five minute slot before the news?

Why do people keep mentioning Dick and Fanny? They are clearly a totally different thing being sexual slang.

There's a Fanny St in my town. Couple of other streets with women's names too. Wife or daughter of Victorian town councillor I imagine.

My little boy is going to be called Kevin, not after any family member but just because I like the name. Your family are being unreasonable, there are worse things to name your child and I’m sure 10 years ago people would’ve thought the Arthur, Albert, Reggie trend was old fashioned.

Kevin is a lovely name.