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AIBU?

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Original poster

Did I really give my child an unusual name?

197 replies

GameSetMatch · 08/09/2025 19:20

My DS1 who is 11years old and has just started high school has come home every day since starting upset with different children taking the mick out of his name! He’s been shoved and his chair kicked whilst being taunted because his name is ‘weird’ according to the children.

His name is …. Ewan, to me it’s just an ordinary name not popular but not out there or strange, is it??

I also would like opinions please on what to do, do I just let everything pan out and see if it settles because it’s only been four days or do I set my stall out with the teachers early? I’m leaning towards the wait and see option.

A bit of background is, he’s extremely intelligent but not socially aware as we think he is ND he was bullied in primary school but only the last year and it was never really delt with properly, with the teachers turning a blind eye to it. The bullying was verbal and physical ranging from a black eye to being made to sit in a puddle.

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

OP posts:
Mumwithbaggage · 08/09/2025 23:31

Your poor boy (who has a lovely normal name). Children can be so cruel. Contact the school (Head of Year) every single time it happens. He deserves to be happy at school.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 08/09/2025 23:33

Gymrabbit · 08/09/2025 19:26

Definitely not a weird name. It’s not super common - about one per year group at secondary but not weird at all.

It is up here in North Britain. It's a nice, plain, sensible name but so common it's a name I wouldn't have picked.

[Irrelevant but all Ewans and Euans seem to be nice blokes too]

PrettyPickle · 08/09/2025 23:50

I love the name Ewan and its not unusual at all.

Tell him they are just jealous! Ewan is a classic name without being over used, and carries a sense of individuality and tradition. It’s the kind of name that feels timeless, not trendy.

Ewan is a Scottish Gaelic name, linked to ancient clans and traditions.
It’s a variant of Eoghan, which also means “noble born” or “youth,” depending on the origin—so it carries a sense of dignity and vitality.

Tell him he has lots of famous namesakes like Ewan McGregor, the celebrated Scottish actor known for Star Wars!

Tell him its the right name for him because people often associate the name Ewan with calmness, wisdom, and quiet strength. It’s a name that suggests someone thoughtful, grounded, and capable of deep understanding. So when they make fun of him, he should just smile and walk away in the knowledge, they just wouldn't understadn how good his name is.

Cherryicecreamx · 08/09/2025 23:51

I wouldn't wait it out either. Bullying is bullying and it needs to be nipped in the bud. My heart goes out to these poor children at the receiving end. Some kids are mean and there's really no excuse for it.

Homegrownberries · 08/09/2025 23:55

There is nothing weird about his name. He is being bullied.

Ratafia · 09/09/2025 00:09

GameSetMatch · 08/09/2025 19:27

I have kept a log, it’s only been four days of high school I just can’t believe how nasty they can be!

Show quote history

Have you reported to the school every time?

If they're still not doing anything, you need to ask for an urgent meeting. Print off and take with you a copy of their bullying and discipline policies, and ask exactly what they are doing to implement them. Emphasise that they have a safeguarding duty and at the moment they are not complying with it, and say you need to hear a plan of action to stop this bullying once and for all.

JFDIYOLO · 09/09/2025 00:10

There's a thread here started by a woman whose vicious childhood bully has tried to get in touch with her, and it's triggered all the old trauma. This stuff stays with us for ever.

Tell his teachers to do their job, and safeguard your child against the bullying little shits.

TiredMummma · 09/09/2025 00:35

A common name but I’ve never liked that spelling, too anglicised, but I doubt that’s what the bullies have been saying: ‘it’s not close enough to the Greek’. They sound like they would have bullied them over anything, advice from others is sound. Keep at it with the school.

Marcipix · 09/09/2025 00:36

I know boys the same age called Elvis and Willow.
Ewan is quite mainstream compared to those. I think his name is not really the issue, it’s just an excuse.
I would certainly contact the school. It needs stopping now.

Bbq1 · 09/09/2025 00:36

Ewan was the name of one of my ds's friend when he was at school. There were way more unusual names there - including a male Beau - but nobody was bullied over their name. It's the school, Op definitely not the name.

Athreedoorwardrobe · 09/09/2025 00:57

No you didn't
Ewan is a name in common usage.
And even if it wasn't it wouldn't matter because bullies will find anything they can to pick on someone about.
My friend at school got bullied for having a wierd name... her name was Annabel.
Completely normal name.
I got bullied at primary school... for having a fringe!!

I've named my son a rare name that's quite out there. He's not complained about it yet and no one has picked on him about it.
Just been lucky with the kids he's been around I guess!!

user1492757084 · 09/09/2025 01:17

Nip it in the bud. Attend the school.
Badger the Principal.
If the bullying becomes quickly aggressive, get the Police involved. There is no room for bullying..
These kids are in their first year so they need to quickly learn that they are out of line. The teachers also need the time to teach, not to referee.

BauhausOfEliott · 09/09/2025 02:07

It’s a really normal name.

pincklop · 09/09/2025 02:45

I read the name completely wrong to start with. Don’t know why, it’s a lovely name and I’ve seen it before but if the teacher has made a mess of his name on the first day then it would create a whole class of kids taking the piss potentially

JustADayDreamBeliever · 09/09/2025 03:56

GameSetMatch · 08/09/2025 19:29

Not to drip feed but we are in a VERY deprived area and the school ‘requires improvement’ I applied and appealed for other school but I just didn’t win the appeals so I’m stuck!

Keeping a log and speaking to school could help you move school, if it is persistent you can ask to move schools due to bullying and ir should be looked at seriously. Again getting a formal diagnosis and possibly an EHCP van help as schools should have to be able to meet need, if he is being bullied then that wouldn't be happening from a social, emotional and mental health point.

Carodebalo · 09/09/2025 05:26

You need to advocate for your son and nip this in the bud. Call or email or both, immediately. The longer you wait the harder it will be to turn things around. (It’s not his name. It’s something else, and your son needs someone who stands up for him. Today, before school starts!)

YenSon · 09/09/2025 05:50

Do not waste time informing school of what is happening to your son. This is a safeguarding concern and child-on-child abuse comes in many forms, including verbal bullying, which may progress and leave lasting damage to your child’s mental health. There are many reasons a school could be judged RI, from curriculum to behaviour to not having ticked a box in a safeguarding audit. It does not mean they won’t adequately sort out concerns about bullying. They might even be hot on it, due to their RI status. They need to know to be able to support your son. Personally, I would email cc’ing the form tutor, year head, SENCO and a DSL. I would inform and ask for an urgent meeting.

If you suspect neurodiversity, again, don’t waste time informing the SENCO and finding out how to refer for an assessment in your area. School will need to play a part in the referral process

And no, whilst Ewan isn’t a common name where I live, it’s not a weird name. This isn’t anything to do with their name

TheVoiceOfReason91 · 09/09/2025 05:56

Coming from someone who got bullied alot in school if your parents go in it can make it worse if he's already told the teachers and there not taking action then tell him to stand up for his self any means necessary tell him he might get told off at school but advise him you won't tell him off for it
bullying is shit n I would rather my child get told off for standing up first themselves then be miserable and upset for the next 5 or 10 years

slanksy · 09/09/2025 06:03

I don’t think they are bullying because of his name. Please get him some help immediately and do not wait to see what happens.

Separately, in answer to your question aside from Ewan McGregor and an athlete who’s surname escapes me, I have never met or heard of another Ewan (London/South East) so FOR ME the name is uncommon but not unheard of.

SweetnsourNZ · 09/09/2025 06:05

dizzydizzydizzy · 08/09/2025 19:29

I would email his form teacher. Bullying needs to be nipped in the bud. Decent schools will take this type of thing seriously.

On another matter, if you think your son is ND, please get him a formal diagnosis. Speaking as a late diagnosed person with autism and ADHD, my life could have been so much better if I'd had these diagnoses at a much younger age.

This. And it can be expensive as an adult as you usually need to go private and even then, long waiting list.

SweetnsourNZ · 09/09/2025 06:10

Nothing wrong with Ewan. And very close to Owen so should get weird vibes. I think these children are just bullies and need to be dealt with now before your son gets hurt. Also check any social media he has. I have a feeling this carried on during the summer holidays so that set up the new year.

SweetnsourNZ · 09/09/2025 06:10

SweetnsourNZ · 09/09/2025 06:10

Nothing wrong with Ewan. And very close to Owen so should get weird vibes. I think these children are just bullies and need to be dealt with now before your son gets hurt. Also check any social media he has. I have a feeling this carried on during the summer holidays so that set up the new year.

I meant shouldn't get weird vibes.

bangalanguk · 09/09/2025 06:29

Bullies don't need an excuse to bully. This needs to be nipped in the bud. Speak to the head of year as soon as possible.

Jade247 · 09/09/2025 06:30

My little boy is called Euan, and I love his name - I don’t know any others but I just can’t imagine children being so horrid. I’m so sorry your little boy is going through this xxx

ItsNotMeEither · 09/09/2025 06:39

Your son's name is not unusual.

I've been a teacher for over 40 years. In many ways, the schools have their hands tied by policies, but you do have to give them a chance and they can't change what they don't know about.

I'd start with the Head of Year or similar position at your son's school. Make sure they know you're not messing around, you will take things further if need be. Now, sometimes, as a teacher, I know I might as well be talking to a wall with some bullies, but hearing that a parent is prepared to take things further does get through to some kids. Let the teacher know that you'd like them to share with the students that this will go further.

If it happens again, lets say they stop for a couple of days, but it starts again, then take it higher. Again, let them know that you're not going away quietly, this will go further.

I've seen horrendous bullying brushed under the carpet by some school leaders. They don't want to suspend students as it is reflected in data for the school. Higher up, some see suspensions as a sign of weakness in a school, whereas I see it as a sign that a school won't put up with bad behaviour.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil, please squeak as loudly as you need to for your son. As I said, classroom teachers can only take things so far, consequences for really appalling behaviour often have to be given the okay from above.

I always tell kids they are lucky that more parents don't go straight to the police, as their behaviour is considered as assault on the other side of the school fence.

I have seen incidents where parents went to the police (yay) and it did have the desired effect, it also had an effect on some of the fringe dwellers, who didn't want to end up in that sort of trouble. Hopefully you won't have to go that far, but bullies can be sneaky, do things as soon as adult backs are turned. If you do end up having to go to the top, just know, that secretly, plenty of teachers will be cheering you on. Unfortunately, they can't publicly go against the actions of the school, but they agree with you.