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?

It's not a common name for a baby but so? He will stand out from the crowd of Wilfs and Archies and Alfies and Harrisons.

People are being so offensive, even to the extent of telling you you’ve still got time to change the name! It’s an unusual name for current times, but there’s nothing wrong with it at all. I guess that when the trend for Stanleys and Alfies started 20–odd years ago people were sneering at that too.

My dad is called Brian and while I wouldn't necessarily call my baby it (maybe a middle name), I prefer it to some of the ''cool' and 'original' names I hear for babies these days.

I also hate cutesy nicknames for babies (babby being one where I live...urgh). I gave my kids very short, simple, traditional names for this reason so i don't think YABU op.

And I can't think of any sort of "rude" connotations and it's not like a name where a famous person has made it instantly significant.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

It's not a common name for a baby but so? He will stand out from the crowd of Wilfs and Archies and Alfies and Harrisons.

Yes...this.

@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?

I agree, some of the responses are just horrible!

We had some criticism of our firstborn's name, though, and I think it's important to recognise that criticising the name and using cutesy nicknames are different things - even though it may be the same person doing it. YANBU to be upset that people (IRL and on here!) are being horrid about your baby's name. It's a totally legit recognisable name, named for family, not outlandish in the slightest. People will have to get used to it!

But some people really like nicknames and would nickname a pet rock. Particularly for babies. Before they can talk, it's very common to play with sounds and their name in the manner of a babbling baby. Funnily enough, Baby Bobo was one of my son's many many many baby nicknames! Along with Wubba Bubba, Bossington Bear, Little B... He is now three and is almost always called by his full actual name, except that I can't stop calling him Baby Bear from time to time Expect the nonsense nicknames to fade away as he learns to talk, and don't necessarily view them as in any way related to the name you chose. I think they're pretty universal.

What's wrong with Brian?
How is it controversial?
I can't believe the rudeness here!
I'm not a fan of cutesty baby talk full stop to be honest. I like my kids to learn the actual words and develop strong speech. Not horsy, ducky etc. And I want my kids to know their names too. Not some nickname people call them 🙄

It's not like op has called her son willy or dick or some other shortened version of an old name that he would be bullied for these days. Its a perfectly normal name. Not even of fashioned. I'm 30 and went to school with loads of Brians.

Ive got the Life of Brian theme tune in my head now...

A baby called Brian. yes a baby called Brian. Teenager called Brian

Old fashioned*

Hes named after my granddad

Then surely you've had a positive reaction from your family immediately related to him? The late Brian's wife (im assuming your mum?) , his children?

I think you're being too sensitive over a couple of comments. It's an usual name for your baby's generation that's all.

Congratulations on baby Brian. x

Ignore them entirely OP. It’s a normal and perfectly valid name and a refreshing change from the usual suspects. My Mum hated my sons name when he was first born. She really loves it now. Rise above it.

Firstly, it's an absolutely beautiful name.
Secondly, I think it's so important to name a person not a baby. Yes, baby Brian sounds funny, but so does baby Elizabeth, baby Andrew, baby Joseph etc. Whereas cutesy names 'baby Elsie' etc will not age so well (in my opinion).

To answer your actually question, you're not BU to be annoyed but you would be U to withhold access. If they are still calling him silly things when he's at an age to completing himself, or all gets much more serious and at that point I would start thinking about stopping visits etc as they would be disrespecting Brian's wishes, and it is his feelings I that are the important one.

Controversial? Wtf? It’s a perfectly normal name with no ugly associations afaik. Not only is the British god of guitar called this (May), but also a former drummer and well-known scientist (Cox). The name means “noble” and is of Irish/Breton origin. It’s a lovely name, OP, don’t allow your family to mock it because of some stupid fashion!

They're wrong to be rude about your name choice, but family having baby nicknames is fairly common.

I did laugh at "I'm Brian and so's my wife" though. I love that film.

@SmileyClare

Hes named after my granddad

Then surely you've had a positive reaction from your family immediately related to him? The late Brian's wife (im assuming your mum?) , his children?

I think you're being too sensitive over a couple of comments. It's an usual name for your baby's generation that's all.

Congratulations on baby Brian. x

The late Brian’s wife would be OP’s Gran not her Mum.

Actually OP has not said that Grandad Brian is no longer with us, we’ve just assumed this.

People are being so rude. There's nothing wrong with Brian (I think it's cute!). Anyway, he's your baby so it doesn't matter whether anyone else particularly likes it.

Cutesy nicknames are normal so I'd smile and ignore them. But definitely pull rude family members up if they are outright rude about his name.

Brian will be alot better when he is older say 25 at an interview than say "Vegas, Yugo, pogo, Excalibur , cub just a few of the out there names local to us ! Imagine being 40 and called pogo or Yugo!

Your baby your choice. If they don't like the name tell them to do 1.

We have a very normal top 20 girls name and my family still shorten it to something baby like and I hate it. It’s similar to being called emma and someone saying ohh baby ems it’s like nails on a chalkboard to me.

I think it would happen to any name you pick but saying they don’t like the name is rude!

I like the name Brian and I know a couple of boys with it. Cutsey names are not unusual but I think they should keep their opinions on his actual names to themselves. There is no reason that "Bertie" and "Wilf" should be fine old man names for little boys, and Brian shouldn't.

I actually quite like the name. It actually sounds quite nice if you think of how it sounds, rather than imagining it as an older mans name.
Its quite interesting with names. I think you really notice it when you have people from other countries using an old fashioned name because they cant date it in the same way,

@GappyValley
Why such a rude reply?
What’s your name? Maybe we can critique it?
Being called Brian hasn’t seemed to have harmed the careers of Messrs May, Robson, Clough, Wilson, McFadden, Cox and Blessed.

I know two Brians both in their 70's who go by the shortened name Bri - if my son was called Brian I wouldn't mind Bri as at least it sounds like the original name. Having said that both our kids went by nicknames well into adulthood, their choice!

Brian Wilson
Brian May
Brian Cox
Brian Harvey
Brian Blessed

I never hear any of heir names and think Oh God what an awful name. It's not really a baby name but he'll grow into it.

It just unexpected, when your family get use to it it will be fine. It might even start a trend

I’m really really liking Brian the more I read it on this thread. Just stick to your guns OP.