to think that teachers really shouldn't make a judgement of a child on their name alone?

[Coochicoo]

I was speaking with a teacher at a mother and baby group recently and we got to talking about names. When I told her my daughter's name she said 'ooh, every little girl I've taught with that name is lovely', and when she heard my son's name she pulled a face and sucked the air in through her teeth and said 'they're all buggers in my experience'.

I've heard similar things before about boys with the same name as my son, and it upsets me a little that he may be judged by his teachers before he even gets to class. And if he does do something a bit naughty, as all children do, he'll be living up, or rather down, to the low expectations of him.

I don't expect teachers to pass judgement on any name, whether it be a positive or negative judgement. Surely they should see the children as individuals?

I have taught Armarnie, Amanie, Armani and Armarni. All but one were/are lovely.

Most of the Joshuas that I have taught have also been lovely.

I used to teach Genghis Khan - judge that!!!

I have taught an R-Mani!

Not to mention Brandee, Shardonnay, T'Kaiyah, D'Angelo, Meek, Goodnews, Daijar-Vou and many others!

Sorry to say it but names give all sorts away. In my experience Jaydens or Kyles are generally bad news and I have taught a few of each!

How about Kain?

I taught for 7 years and never came across a Phoebe. It's double-barrelled girls names Donna-Marie, Kayleigh-Ann etc. I taught a lovely Kylie and a nice Charlene, however

In terms of boys Kyle, Callum and Kieran.

Never came across a Kain!

Oh I've taught a couple of Mohammed Alis too. One was gorgeous; one was hideous and finally excluded; one just okay.

I've only ever taught one Nathan and he was lovely.

I only know 2 Joshuas - one is a horror and the other is thouroughly unlikeable - but then I am not a teacher so I feel I can say that!

This thread really worries me. We adopted our DD when she was 7 [13 now]and she has a name which I would never have chosen in a million years.
She's doing pretty well at school but it does worry me that she will encounter prejudice at school and even when applying for jobs.
At primary I felt there was a general attitude among the teachers that she wouldn't achieve much but thankfully this doesn't seem to be the case at secondary so far.
Interestingly there is another girl we know from ballet with the same name and she is lovely also!

Mycat - don't worry, really. I honestly believe that teachers may make jokes/comments about names but they really only judge the child on the child, not on its name. I have taught several very nice Juniors and even Genghis Khan was a sweetie!

Thanks Janeite-I have to confess to raising an eyebrow to certain names myself!

Everyone makes assumptions from names-however most are polite enough not to say anything. A school DC won't be judged on their name. That is why I like the name threads-I can say what I really think!

Hi,
I had to post because I am one of those annoying teachers who says things like that! But ironically my no.1 boys name is...Joshua. I also love it and have taught a horrible Joshua, a lovely Joshua and a scatty Joshua. I don't think it is that popular actually as have been teaching 10 years and only ever taught 3 of them! For me, Charlie's are always naughty (though usually are lovable rogues) but any names that rhyme or are alliterative spell trouble... of course I'm joking. Don't take it to heart we wouldn't seriously judge a child by its name unless of course you call your daughter 'Precious Princess' - not joking, I have taught one - and then we just judge the parents!

My son is called Joshua and he is lovely (altough I guess I am biased). I also have a Dominic, no-one has mentioned that name??

I know a girl who has Harley, Ryan, Acacia-Angel (middle name and what she is known as, Princess) and she is pregnant with another girl who will be called Nevaeh (Heaven backwards) and either hyphenated with, or with the middle name Precious!!!!!!!! So umm what would teachers make of them?

Years ago, when I first looked on here, somebody had posted about a girl called "Leah-Jet". I still think that's the best one yet...

UQD: 'Paul, David, Mark, John, Steve [well, Stephen], Jason, Tracey, Sarah, Joann[a] and Juli[a]' are all on the coatpegs at our local primary.

We also have several Roberts, an Andrew, a Sue, two Helens and a couple of Michaels.

1970s timewarp!