AIBU to be angry about comments on my granddaughters' names?

[Ellenay]

So, I have 5 grandchildren, this weekend I’m looking after all of them, my daughter and her husband are away to a wedding in France and my son and his wife have booked a little spa weekend.

I popped in to see some of my friends with them as I don’t often have the children and my friends like seeing them.

One of my friends had some other friends I’ve not met before over but we joined them. After introducing the children and then being sent to the kitchen to get a lollipop, one of these friends said oh don’t all the girls have little showgirl names, I must have looked a bit shocked as someone else then jumped in and said oh she doesn’t mean p*rnstar just very moulin rouge.

I just said I thought their names were lovely and moved on but now I’m back home I’m furious, I’m furious I didn’t give her a piece of my mind.

AIBU to think this is an absurd thing to say about children’s names?!

It's an interesting description. I had to google to see what they could be . Showgirl is a very old fashioned term.

https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1078055/burlesque-baby-names-for-girls/

I think it's really rude to comment on someone's name other than to say what a lovely name. It's their name by now, someone isn't going to change it, just feel irked or uncomfortable.

A showgirl is a female dancer or singer who performs in a theatrical revue, variety show, or musical. They are famous for wearing elaborate, glamorous, and revealing costumes featuring feathers, sequins, and heavy headdresses, and in some traditional venues may perform topless

Aka an exotic dancer at best, stripper at worst.

OP I agree it was a pretty awful comment.

Not sure anyone is naming their kid Rolf nowadays…

I think it's quite normal.to.react to names. My friend's most recent grandchild has been given a real little old lady name and we both had a bit of a laugh about it. My grandchild has a surname for a first name which I really didn't like and it didn't bother me at all when others pointed out it was all a bit Home and Away. Try not to feel.too hurt by it, I know it's because you love them but she probably didn't mean to offend

I wouldve been pretty grossed out if people thought of my squidgy little newborn / toddler/ 4 year old as a "showgirl" then assumed that saying "no, dint be daft, not a pornstar, more moulin rouge" made it ok.

Theyre just wee children! Assuming name isnt Busty Babs, wtf???

I thought it was going to be a barely disguised insult, but they ARE quite showgirl/moulin rouge names. And that really isn’t meant as an insult!

“Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl” can’t think who the song is by, but my friend got this response from everyone in her family above a certain age.

OP, I think you’re being overly precious.

Lola?

They’re not saying anything about the child. they’re saying the names are showgirl names.

I doubt the OP would be complaining if all her grandchildren were named after Jane Austen characters and someone pointed that out. Despite it being just as much an observation/fact.

Crikey, this is a bit outing OP. I’d ask for it to be taken down if I were you.

They are showgirl names, it was rude was your friend to say this thought out loud because it would rarely be meant as a compliment.

YABU. The names do have 'showgirl' connotations/connections, so it's silly to be furious at someone for noticing that, if they weren't being negative.

My daughter’s friend is Lola and her sister is Ruby!

Can you give me a definition of ‘show girl name’. I genuinely don’t get it.
is it like a rock-chick name? Help!

Oh. I’ve read all the posts now.
It comes from the song ‘her name was Lola, she was a showgirl …’ from the song by Barry Manilow.
The friend just heard the names and it reminded her. Just a throwaway comment. No malice intended.

I love the names, and they really go together for sisters

But they are showgirl names? She's just pointing out a trend. She didn't express an opinion on that. It's like saying "oh don't all the girls have such vintage names" "oh all the boys have biblical names" it's just commenting on a trend. People always comment on my boys having the same hair colour. It's just what people do. Most of the time they don't express an opinion either way, just inform me of my childrens hair colour really. I don't expect it's intended as an insult.

Very surprised that the majority think you’re unreasonable, OP! I think how your friends’ phrased their comments were rude and unnecessary- I mean “showgirl” isnt exactly complimentary is it; it is in fact misogynistic and demeaning
i would try to let it go OP, perhaps it was a clumsy way of commenting on names they perceive to be non-traditional?

How is pointing out that the names do have strong showgirl associations misogynistic and demeaning, but naming them that isn't, then? It doesn't make sense. It's like naming your children Hannibal, Patrick, and Jason, and then getting angry when people point out those are serial killers' names. That's the cultural association and people will pick up on it, even if they don't say anything.

I agree.

The person who made the remark was rude and crass.

How close is she to the friend who was hosting?

In my circle the kiddo would be lucky not to be named “Copacabana” instead.

I highly doubt there was malice there, maybe a bit careless, don’t personally see what there is to be furious about. My children’s names rhyme. It gets pointed out, a lot. We knew what we were in for when we named them that! Similarly, I’d imagine your DD did too, and your friend just happened to mention it.

She was probably trying to be witty and missed the mark.

They're good names. Don't let it bother you any more.

You're not helping 😂 😆 😂 😆 😂

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