to not know the sex of my brother's babies based on their names?

[mrscrocoduck]

He's just had twins, Brook and Drew. One was going to be a boy (apparently) and one a girl, but now I'm embarrassed because I can't tell from the names which is which.

Had decided Brook was the girl but then saw drew in pink....

I know Margaret - it wasn't directed at you but at the earlier posters who said that teachers do judge according to names: I just pinched your example.

'Firestarter and ASBO' from the children's AUNTY is just revolting I think.

or from articles like this maybe

LOL MargaretLockwood, I think you're right although a bit on the defensive. However, you have just done what you're accusing others of doing with your statement;

"Just give all the Isabellas and Olivers A grades and send Alisha and Callum to the Headmaster's office."

If those are the names that you picked out of the air to use as examples then you're being naive to expect that other people won't do the same, surely?

whatever ML's e.g.s did, she isn't related to them. I think the OP's response to her nephew and niece's names is pretty snobbish and repulsive.

• you can tell it's middle of the night here - that first bit made NO sense. I meant - whatever ML's examples may have made her appear to be, she isn't related to people of those names.

OP if you were my sister I would be glad that we didn't live near or have alot to do with you.

You have the nerve to call your brother a chav because you dislike the names he and his partner have chosen for there newborns.

I'd rather be a chav than a stuck up bitch any day!

That's hardly the point though is it? Someone is related to children with those names; I know a lovely bloke with a son called Calum, who happens to be a lovely boy. Maybe I'll point him to this thread so he can be offended?

And picking names that aren't gender indicative is stupid, which is why it is outlawed in some countries. But hey, each to their own. Just don't be surprised or get your knickers in a knot if people have to keep checking whether you had a boy or a girl.

Narketta, your comment was just plain nasty.

I got them (from memory) from that recent survey that said how children's names are perceived. I am as guilty as anyone of making stereotypes, assumptions, snap judgments. And then I try and go past them...I would expect a teacher to do the same rather than congratulating themselves on how right they are 90% of the time - scientific that.

I am defensive because I have a 'bimbo' stereotype name (give you a clue - it's not Margaret) and from a poor background yet was a straight A student, first class degree postgrad quals etc etc. But I don't think that would have happened if all my teachers were like MrsCroc and ItchyandScratchy.

Returning to topic I think Brook(e) and Drew are perfectly respectable names with plenty of heritage and I find it that anyone - never mind their Auntie - would compare them to 'Asbo' and 'Firestarter'.

Oh do me a favour Rockwood? I was actually using that name to make the point you are making. It comes from this survey I think your nephew would be more offended by that.

And names that aren't gender indicative are banned? Wow - so no Alex, Sacha, Sam? No Shirley or Tracey? And that is a good thing why?

TeamEdward - you missed out 'some'

get a bit of perspective some of you.
My comment was a facetious one

(mostly )

But you only have to read most of the threads about baby names to recognise the prejudices that abound regarding names. You can't seriously be telling me that you don't see the name Danielle, for instance, in a different way to the way you would see the name Dannii. Or the difference between Charlotte and Shardonnay. It's great when a name doesn't indicate a child's personality and path in life (see, I wouldnt associate 'Callum' as anything but scottish-sounding and lovely, given the 2 callums I know, but it's all relative isn't it?).

but you can't help feeling sorry for kids whose parents haven't anticipated the fall-out of the moniker they give their offspring.

"What's in a name?" LOADS, evidently

and I love the way that my tongue-in-cheek comment = shit teacher!!

now who's generalising/making assumptions?

Op I don't know why you bother, you have obviously written these poor innocents off already.

Margaret, if you had bothered to read my first post properly, you would see that I agree with you. I was just highlighting how easy it is to make judgements on names but yes, we try to get past it.

As for names being banned, my German BIL will give you a nice long lecture on the subject as he has me. They obviously think there is something in it. Again, read it properly and I was saying that you cannot be surprised if people are confused. No one is a mind reader so call your child Sacha or Alex, fine, lovely names both but people will ask and you have to expect that. The OP was asking.

I love the judginess from people complaining about judginess!

Wouldnt occour to me to name my DCs on the basis that strangers would immediately be able to tell what sex they are

Thinking about it, 3 out of 4 of my DCs have names that could be used for boys or girls. The other has the chavviest name in the universe (according to MNs). I havnt decided on DC 5 yet but if its a boy his name could be used for either but the girls name I like deffo couldnt (another name roundly despised on MNs)

Constantly astounded at the way names rouse such strong opinions. V.interesting.

I think maybe the other way round would have been better, but hey its their choice.

I think you are very rude TBH as I do not see these names as chavy, and much better then something like Kylie and Taylor (sorry to parents of Kylie and Taylors out there)

Yeah - I am so much ruder than the people calling me a bitch!

Well...! My brother and I have a long-distance relationship which if fraught. Not actually my fault, you'll be amazed to hear. And his ambiguous names for his children are unusual choices for him. His other 3 (by 2 other women - the fact that I mention that will no doubt upset one or two of you) have names which suggest a different kind of taste; daniel, josh and noah. So where did the Jeremy Kyle names come from? If it makes me a snob to wonder that then so be it. But I don't think I've called anyone a bitch on here for having any kind of prejudice here.

As for the children themselves, don't worry, I won't get to see them to be able to taint their lives with my horrible bile. He'll no doubt be divorcing his current wife long before he accepts an invitation to come here or lets me visit.

TBH I think you have issues with your brother that you are taking out on the names of his children.

Ok you do not like the fact he has 5 Children with 3 women I agree that is a bit, well.... nasty, but while his life might make a Jeremy Karl show the names of his children would not. Drew and Brook are quite nice names.

Also it is nothing to do with you at all, if he wanted to call them kipper and shep he could. Or number 4 and 5, it is up to him and his wife.

I think you just want to rant and you are hurt over what ever is wrong in your relationship with him, this is not the way to do it though, over the names of two small babies

Blimey...what horrid posts are on this thread!

mrscrocoduck has expressed her opinions on some names and has taken quite a beating for it. It doesn't matter if her realationship with her brother isn't perfect...she doesn't like the names...quite her perogative, and if she can't express that on an annonomous internet forum without having to explain the dynamics of her family relationships then heaven help us all.

Blimey - there's enough unisex names out there for this to not be an issue surely?

And I think teachers who do more than raise an eyebrow at the more outlandish names on a set list are actually being rather stupid.

I would assume Brook was a mispelling for Brooke and therefore a girl and that Drew was sort for Andrew and therefore a boy

I'd just ask, I'm sure they won't mind.

Then you would have assumed wrong Katty. Is it such a big deal in the long run?