Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Triphazards · 30/05/2021 23:49

@Curatingchaos

It’s a fine name . Kind of like a brooding literary minded underwear model .
Yeah- Navy Knickers.
SarahBellam · 30/05/2021 23:52

Sounds like Navally - he’ll get called belly button at school 😂

WeAllHaveWings · 30/05/2021 23:54

Awful name. Sounds like a sailor.

Notnowjo · 30/05/2021 23:54

@AmandaHuggenkizz

The name is Navy-Lee.

Very common surname- think Smith or Jones.

Navy-Lee Jones sounds like a great pair of jeans
MrsFlinch · 30/05/2021 23:55

Never heard Navy being used as a name, but the more I say it the more I like it, Not sure about the hyphenated Lee though.

But if she’s asking you for your opinion she’s maybe having a bit of a wobble. Your response was perfect. Managed to avoid answering directly whilst remaining positive at the same time.

TableFlowerss · 30/05/2021 23:55

When average Jo tries to replicate the unusual (bonkers) baby name like celebrities do....

It’s almost as if they don’t for a second, give any thought, in to how it may negatively impact a child. 🙄

Kpo58 · 31/05/2021 00:02

Are they now going to hope for a brother called Army?

LovelyLadyLily · 31/05/2021 00:03

@SarahBellam

Sounds like Navally - he’ll get called belly button at school 😂
Kids aren't that clever. They'll probably call him Gravy.
KrisAkabusi · 31/05/2021 00:06

I think it's horrific. It's a reason some countries have lists of approved names. For all the people that say the only thing that matters is if the parents like it, I disagree there as well. The poor kid has to grow up with a name so different they may well end up bullied or at least teased at school.

MyrrAgain · 31/05/2021 00:09
  1. Makes me think of navels - something that is "navel-ly" looking and that isn't a good image. Who wants to sound like a belly button
  2. Would be much better without the hyphen.
  3. Sounds like when you have more than one friend of the same name and you have to point out which one he is by saying nah it's that bloke called Lee that joined the navy
CounsellorTroi · 31/05/2021 00:44

@Footloosefancyfree

My nephew is called Cape its not my business what my sil and dbro name their child.
I hope their surname is not Cod, Canaveral or Horn.
GoingGently · 31/05/2021 01:02

Sounds like a pair of jeans and would come up on Google shopping. Also reminds me of the village people. Also sounds like a nickname, eg that bloke Lee who's in the navy.
One of those might put her off? He'll be eternally grateful if you're honest now! It's a person she's naming...for the rest of his life!

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 31/05/2021 01:02

I was thinking Hope
And they would always be Good

GoingGently · 31/05/2021 01:04

PS I actually did just Google it and it's a type of gun it seems! You really need to be gentle but honest I think!!

NellieEllie · 31/05/2021 01:11

Yes, as GoingGently above says,, I think you need to tell her that a Lee Navy is a type of bolt action rifle.
Would’ve thought that would do it.

TheSongOfTheSea · 31/05/2021 01:28

Fierce Barry Grin

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 31/05/2021 01:46

Well as she's asked you. I'd just say I don't like it, sorry but its your baby so your choice.
FWIW I don't think its that bad. There plenty of boys called Gray.
Why is Navy so unusable.

lalafafa · 31/05/2021 01:47

I know a baby called Navy but the parents pronounce it Navvy, awful.

chaosmaker · 31/05/2021 02:18

It's not even a great colour....

Ijustknowitstimetogo · 31/05/2021 02:19

I think Navy Lee (Jones) is better without the hyphen. Have to say I’m not hating it. Was preparing for worse.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 31/05/2021 03:07

Ah, I don't like it either but it's the trendy thing to give non-names as names now.

I agree that since she's asked, you could get away with "well it's not the sort of name I'd have chosen myself, but why do you ask - has someone said something?" and then she can unburden herself as to why she's asking, whether someone else has said something, or she's just having second thoughts about it. That way you can also gauge whether, if someone HAS said something, she's upset about it before you go feet first into the conversation.
But - she has asked, so she's looking for honesty from you.

Having said all that, I live in Australia, where "odd" names are ten a penny. My bar has lowered SO much since living here, I tend to just nod and smile now, whatever. I save my inner cringes for "yooneeq spellings" now. I mean if she'd gone for Navieey-Leeh then that would be SO MUCH WORSE, so y'know...

Mypathtriedtokillme · 31/05/2021 03:14

@ThumbWitchesAbroad

Ah, I don't like it either but it's the trendy thing to give non-names as names now.

I agree that since she's asked, you could get away with "well it's not the sort of name I'd have chosen myself, but why do you ask - has someone said something?" and then she can unburden herself as to why she's asking, whether someone else has said something, or she's just having second thoughts about it. That way you can also gauge whether, if someone HAS said something, she's upset about it before you go feet first into the conversation.
But - she has asked, so she's looking for honesty from you.

Having said all that, I live in Australia, where "odd" names are ten a penny. My bar has lowered SO much since living here, I tend to just nod and smile now, whatever. I save my inner cringes for "yooneeq spellings" now. I mean if she'd gone for Navieey-Leeh then that would be SO MUCH WORSE, so y'know...

If he was in Aus he could be in a class with FeeBee, Jaycub and Aimee so navy-lee would stand out.
Mypathtriedtokillme · 31/05/2021 03:15

Wouldn’t stand out…

1forAll74 · 31/05/2021 03:16

She must have chosen the name because she likes it., so no need really, to ask if you or others like it. People who don't like the name,will eventually get used to it.

CrazyCatsAndKittens · 31/05/2021 03:20

@KrisAkabusi

I think it's horrific. It's a reason some countries have lists of approved names. For all the people that say the only thing that matters is if the parents like it, I disagree there as well. The poor kid has to grow up with a name so different they may well end up bullied or at least teased at school.
I think there is a MN approved baby name list somewhere. 😂 It's like North Korea with the hair cuts. Here are 10 approved boys names and 10 approved girls names. Do not deviate or your child will never be a high court judge.

The things is, at school no one will care. There are loads of kids with unusual names and no one bats an eyelid at them.

I knew a girl called Sarah who was bullied for her name at school. It can happen to anyone.

I really think Navy-blue will be fine and everyone will get used to it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread