Husband won’t call grandchild by his name

[Blyther]

our grandchild (5 months) has an unusual name. It’s a made up name which is a bit ‘out there’- think along the lines of ‘starry-Skye’ or ‘misty-bridge’. Our daughter in law is a bit whacky.

It’s of course entirely up to the parents to choose the name of their child but my husband won’t even say his name as it makes him cringe so much. He refers to the baby as ‘the little one’ or will call him by his middle name.

It’s now become apparent to the parents how he refuses to use his name and it’s causing an atmosphere. I just don’t know what to say to them as I completely understand his point and feel very sorry about the potential bullying he (the baby) is likely to encounter further down the road.

Advice on moving forward please.

I've actually said it in my head so much this morning that it's starting to grow on me 😀

Aside from the negative connotations of Dixie in USA, in Germany a Dixi is a porta-loo. This really is the bonkers name thread that keeps on giving.

What a fuss about nothing. Dixie is a perfectly reasonable name as is Dick. My dads name was Richard and often abbreviated to Dick. Anyone over 8 managed to use it without a snigger.

@housethatbuiltme

is that true? What about Princess Andre, daughter of Katie Price? And I used to work with someone called Duke (although he wasn't born in the UK).

I always say when I hear a name as extreme as this: he's never going to be prime minister, is he?

Maybe call him DMB

‘Baby Moonie’ is so much worse than just Dixie! It’s a ridiculous name but honestly I don’t think it’s worth falling out over.

Don’t call him Dixie. Dixie was another name for the Confederate south and will always be linked to slavery. I’m surprised someone would use it at all these days, especially considering the rest of the name is rather new age/hippy-ish.

And before anyone sneers at American history, recall that we don’t tend to name children Adolf either even though we’re not German.

The name might be stupid, but it's disrespectful as hell to just decide you're not going to use it. Tell your DH that.

But Hitler was from Europe and many of us lost grandparents to him. However, the confederate south isn't really on our radar. It's kind of like telling American people not to use the name 'Randy' as it has sexual undertones in the UK.

He may like it only time will tell. But if he is bullied for it how do you think it’ll make him feel when his grand parents are essentially part of it laughing at it to? Whether the parents are twats is irrelevant, it’s not fair on the child, maybe the parents will eventually come to their own realisation or maybe the child will say I want to be called this instead when they’re older, until then the grandparents need to suck it up and just say it. It’ll only end up in a massive family row, and inevitably end up with the child suffering more when they either aren’t allowed to see their grandparents or they feel like they’re laughed at by their grandparents.

On top of that the child will learn his name quite early and when the grandparents fail to say it correctly he just won’t respond, my little boy is called Theodore and some of our family hate it and only call him Theo even though we’ve said not to - not only does it full in p us off but he just doesn’t respond to them when they’re trying to get his attention and their bond is suffering.

With a mother like that, he's going to need his grandparents. Your DH is being an idiot - get him to swallow his pride and just use the damn name.

It's "Heaven" backwards - but don't ask me why anyone thought this was a good idea.

(Miss-spelled "heaven")

To be fair, there must be scores of British names which have unfortunate associations in other languages, and scores of non-British names which sound rude in English.

Sorry - didn't realise you'd already responded.

And given a reason for the choice.

Maybe the parents spend so much time online were thinking along the lines of making up a username?
Are you a little ashamed too? We need to know the babies name, not to judge but to have a clearer idea on how bad grandpa really is….

Well I guess when your son stops talking to him it won’t be a problem! Start by using the name over the phone so he gets used to saying it.

Honestly this whole post doesn’t reflect well on you…. your daughter in law being whacky? What are your son is a complete walk over that he couldn’t object to the name?

Both if you need to start making an effort or you’ll soon find you don’t have to worry too much

He'll get used to it eventually. My nephew had an ethnic name that my dad didn't like and wouldn't say at first. He had to in the end.

What's wrong with using Dixie? It wouldn't be my choice but it's not ridiculous.

Op you do know when he googles his own name this thread will come up?

In the 80s, I went to school with a boy whose grandparents gave him their own name because they thought his name was “too black” - he’s white but has a name that they thought was typically a “black” name. So they called him a different name. It’s actually incredibly rude and disrespectful and your husband needs to get a grip.

🤣🤣🤣

His parents “insist” on calling their child by the name they gave him 🤣🤣🤣

Did you not see the drip feed that the daughter in law is not just whacky but also highly strung and controlling 🤣

Non o your business, suck it up and get a life.