Baby's name

[Cookiemonster2022]

Hi,
We were looking for a Indian and English name and settled on Neil for our newborn. We went to see some English friends and a lady laughed on this name for our baby. I don't understand what's so bad about Neil as a name. Now I am annoyed and thinking of changing his name. DH thinks this is unreasonable as there can't be a perfect name and people will always have opinions. I am not sure if I should look for other name or just get on with it. Also, his birth has been registered and passport done with Neil. AIBU to think so much about it ?

A name doesn't need to be cool and babies aren't babies for long, names that sound cute as kids dont always suit adults. I would never pick a name because its deemed 'cool' that's a bit sheep like.

Theres nothing wrong with the name Neil, it's a perfectly ordinary name. The fact it fits in both cultures is good and he will likely be the only boy in his class with that name.

People are laughing because here it's seen as an uncool, middle aged British name. However, if they knew it was also an Indian name they wouldn't be so rude as to laugh! We also had to choose an Indian/English name and I was so surprised when I was looking in to names to find out that Neil was Indian too! It sounds so English to our ears. If you love the name stick with it. People will get used to it in no time. I like it OP.

I love the name.. and just be grateful it's not the name that half the class will have when he's at school! Who wants to have a name that's "cool" when you're born that then becomes the name that's so common that people turn and start to hate? I remember thinking "Oh no, not another Connor/Ethan/Aidan".

I think Neil is a nice name. I'm in my early thirties and know Neil's about my age so I don't think it's an old man name as some have said! It's much nicer than lots of the baby names you read on here which all sound a bit try hard. Neil is lovely and it's nice toy have honoured both heritages

Forget her. His name is his name. You and DH chose it.

It's much better than the parents who try to be unique and say their child whose name is spelt Michaela is pronounced Misharla or some nonsense.

There’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just a bit incongruous on a baby because of being the wrong generation to how people would imagine a Neil. I wouldn’t change it though, people will get used to it.

And it’ll be better when he’s not a baby anymore so you won’t get as many Gavin & Stacey jokes

@TrashyPanda

I’m Scottish and think Neil is a pretty classic name here. Wondering if folk would think differently if it was spelled Niall?

But those two names are pronounced differently

Neil - has ee sound where Niall has i sound like Nigeria

It's just not in the current trend (which is what I would call the grandad names - so many bloody Wilfreds and Stanleys and Alfies). But like.... who cares. I wouldn't have wanted a bang on trend name myself.

Oh and it's not an older man name. I'm mid thirties and know lots of men named Neil, I think it was quite an 80s name. I knew a super hot guy at college called Neil, and there's a really lovely guy my age at work called Neil.

Neil is a nice name and also due a comeback so you'll be a trend setter rather than on trend (if that sort of nonsense is important to you). But I do think you need to have confidence in your choice as people like to comment on baby names.

@Jacaranda75

I can't believe she laughed! How rude!

Anyway OP, if you are intent on changing it, how about Nilesh? With Neil for short? It's Gujarati for Lord Krishna.

I love Nilesh.

I think Neil is an absolutely fine name, OP.

I'd rather see a baby Neil than some of the other names that are popular these days.

Neil is better than a grown man having a cutesy name that suits the very short lived baby and toddler stage. It's your child don't worry what your friend thinks.

I'm 63 and Neil was a contemporary name for me.

On the other hand, Ruby, Ada, Elsie, Alice, etc. were 'old lady' names and nobody would've used them when I was a child or until very recently.

It's extremely rude ans thoughtless to laugh or make fun of a child's given name.

I think Neil became popular after Neil Armstrong. One of History's great heroes. I imagine it will come back into popularity again

Just old fashioned. Choose it if you like it 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't think there's anything wrong with it at all. It's just that most British Neil's are aged 50+ and it's not currently popular for babies. Just a current trends thing.
If anyone is rude enough to laugh again tell them that it's an Indian name and ask if they are laughing because they are racist. They will be very embarrassed and know that they have shown their ignorance.

I think it's fine - it's sensible and it fits both cultures, which is fantastic. I definitely wouldn't change it now you'd have to undo it on paperwork etc, either. The only real pop culture references I can think of are Neil the baby and Neil Armstrong. Neither is bad. Just expect some "kneel/neil" jokes!

I went to school with the little sister of an indian Neil, too and I remember him being a very cool big brother .

I'd also add that when you have deliberately chosen a name which works in two different cultures (which is HARD, speaking as the mother of a dual national child), I certainly wouldn't change it on the basis of someone's unsolicited opinion. Whichever name you choose for your child, some people are not going to like it. But it's not their child.

Neil was extremely common name in Scotland in late 70s/ early 80s - so I would say most Neil's are in their 30s and 40s now, not over 50 as previously suggested.

I have known several very cool Neils - also known a Neel (Indian heritage). I think it is a great name, short, uncommon in the age group, a proper name and easy to spell. I can imagine a baby Neil easily enough, and think it suits all ages. So I'd keep it if I were you.

I'm surprised people are saying it's a name for middle-aged or older men. There were loads of them at school, who would now be aged 20 to 30.
I got the impression it was a name that would always be around, never completely dying out and probably never in the top 3 baby names, so a good classic one. It's nice and simple and easy to spell.

I’m 26 and I’ve never met one my age. Only 132 Neils were born in 1996 and it’s gone down fairly consistently since then to 17 in 2020.
names.darkgreener.com/#neil
I would expect a Neil to be at least 40.

But those two names are pronounced differently

Not necessarily.
In Irish Gaelic, yes they are pronounced differently.
In Scottish Gaelic they are pronounced the same way.

What an attitude some people have that if a bane is not fashionable, it's cruel to give to a child?

Names comes back, someone has to start the trend anyway. Frederick would have been one of those 20 years go, now all I hear us little Freddie running around. No reference to Freddie Kruger either.

Those who should be ashamed are those who judge. I think Neil is a nice name.