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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell her?

343 replies

AmandaHuggenkizz · 30/05/2021 20:50

NC for this.

My friend has just had a baby. She announced the name to our friend group on WhatsApp. It’s very unusual. Personally, I don’t like it.
To be honest, I more than don’t like it and think it’s a ridiculous thing to call a child.

We all congratulated her and said he’s gorgeous (which he is!) etc but none of us have passed comment on the name.

She’s messaged me separately asking if the name is a bit much.

AIBU to tell her the truth, gently?

OP posts:
Walkaround · 31/05/2021 08:06

When anyone refers to him, strangers will assume he’s one of several Lees, and this one is in the Navy. Does your friend have a thing for sailors?

Bluesheep8 · 31/05/2021 08:08

Keep your mouth shut it's none of your business as for the name I personally wouldn't have gone with lee big however navy is cool and different.

The OP's friend asked her for her opinion though

Whyhello · 31/05/2021 08:10

In fairness, other colour names like Ruby, Mauve, Violet and Scarlett are very popular. I’ve also heard Sapphire and Grey being used in the past so Navy is just another colour like the above. I’d pick her up on the -Lee bit more, Lee belongs in the 80s.

Whyhello · 31/05/2021 08:11

Does sound like a nickname someone would use really. ‘Oh look, it’s Navy Lee’ as in Lee from the Navy. I don’t like it at all and if it were my best friend I’d tell her.

Purplealienpuke · 31/05/2021 08:19

So your good friend contacted you privately to ask you if you think her baby's name is ott... and the first thing you do is broadcast it all over social media? Wtaf? I can see this showing up in a newspaper somewhere. Your friend will soon be an ex friend and your opinion will never matter again Biscuit

Subbaxeo · 31/05/2021 08:20

Perhaps just make a mild comment on the lines of ‘it’s not really me-but if you like it it’s lovely’.

Thinking about it, it’s a horrible name, though so would ask friend if she thinks it will be a problem for her growing up. But then I never like those celebrity names-imagine Jamie Oliver’s son growing up and being a doctor-‘Dr Bear will see you now’. David Bowie’s son is now called Duncan.

FuckOffTabloids · 31/05/2021 08:20

Personally I don't like it. I hate the name Lee (very common In the 80s) and Navy is just silly. it's not a name. I'm surprised how many posters have said they do like it. Imagine introducing yourself 'Hi, I'm Mr Navy-Lee Smith' - poor kid.

What next Ochre-Kevin, Azure-Louise, Umber-Tracey?

seriousandloyal · 31/05/2021 08:23

I think because she has asked for your opinion you should tell her but I wouldn't dream of offering an opinion on someone's baby name if they hadn't asked me directly. If she is a good friend and has asked you she is maybe having doubts? It is a dreadful name, poor child.

Subbaxeo · 31/05/2021 08:23

OMG-just read it properly and realised it’s a BOY’S name! Oh god, definitely not🤣

Meruem · 31/05/2021 08:26

I think it’s a bit old fashioned now to think kids will be bullied for a name. There’s so many unusual ones now. Both my DC had unusual names. They’re in their 30s now and were never once bullied over them. They like the fact they weren’t called the same as a dozen other kids in their school.

I also personally prefer it to all the Alfie’s and Archies now. I don’t actually think it’s any of your business to slate the name. It’s not your child. Be nice and support your friend.

Tal45 · 31/05/2021 08:34

I'd say, 'it's certainly unusual - will you just use Navy/Lee or both names?' and turn it back on her.
Personally I don't hate it but wouldn't saddle a child with a weird name, kids have enough to deal with without that.

KaptainKaveman · 31/05/2021 08:35

@L0bstersLass

That's a dreadful name.
yep, it sure is!
wizzler · 31/05/2021 08:38

Like a PP I presumed that Navy -Lee was a girl.
I think your response to your friend should be sensitive. Ask her why she chose such an unusual name and what comments she had had from others. Generally you shouldn't comment on someone elses choices but she has asked a specific question
Am actively seeking a pet so that I can call it fierce Barry

CharityDingle · 31/05/2021 08:38

@Bluesheep8

I keep hearing it in my mind as "Navally".

Or Navelly as in navel/belly button Grin

Same here. I imagine it being pronounced all in one piece...navelly.
Londontown12 · 31/05/2021 08:40

I like that name it’s different x

Yellowcrockpot · 31/05/2021 08:44

I quite like it... but not together.

Surely if child doesn't like "Navy" he will just got to "Lee" as his usual name?...

I also don't think Lee is a bad name, yes popular in the 80s, but its just a normal, standard name.

"Navy lee" together however.... Hmm

DancyNancy · 31/05/2021 08:45

'It's unusual and not sonething I'd puck myself but it's your choice. Are you unsure about it?'

ittakes2 · 31/05/2021 08:46

Can I recommend because she asked you should be honest as you are her friend. If she had not of asked I would have said stay out of it.

DancyNancy · 31/05/2021 08:46

something pick!!!! Hmm

Panpig · 31/05/2021 08:50

I think it's a dreadful name, and would have loved the invitation to be brutally honest with her about that! It would only be rude to give an unasked for opinion, but she did specifically ask you.

Wilkolampshade · 31/05/2021 08:50

It'd be a gift to an arsehole like me...
If he likes partying, he'd be Ravey Navy, potholing : Cavey Navy, curly hair: Wavey Navy, lifeguarding: Savey Navy, etc etc.

newnortherner111 · 31/05/2021 08:53

In choosing any name, you should imagine a child having to say their name at school, I think. Will it be misspelt and so they have to correct people a lot? Will it be the figure of fun (humour changes so difficult to predict)?

Seems to fail these tests.

Zzelda · 31/05/2021 08:54

@Meruem

I think it’s a bit old fashioned now to think kids will be bullied for a name. There’s so many unusual ones now. Both my DC had unusual names. They’re in their 30s now and were never once bullied over them. They like the fact they weren’t called the same as a dozen other kids in their school.

I also personally prefer it to all the Alfie’s and Archies now. I don’t actually think it’s any of your business to slate the name. It’s not your child. Be nice and support your friend.

Children do bully, and will use any excuse to do so. The suggestion that it might be too old fashioned for them is hopelessly optimistic. Some unusual names will get away with it because they may not sound daft and there is no way to pronounce or twist them to make them sound daft, but Navy-Lee is not one of those.

OP, your friend is obviously worried about the name and wants advice. A bit of sensitively-phrased advice now will save her and her child a lot of trouble later.

NoMoreAngelDelight · 31/05/2021 08:57

Tell your friend she’s an idiot calling him that name. She’s making him a laughing stock. She needs to change it. Wtf was she thinking.

MolyHolyGuacamole · 31/05/2021 09:00

It’s basically an adjective with a name hyphenated onto it.

Happity-James?