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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wish I hadn't called my daughter Ruby?

211 replies

gonenative · 27/02/2010 23:23

When me and DH chose her name 6 years ago, we didn't know any Rubys (or any kids for that matter!) and liked the feisty sound of it. We actually thought we were being pretty original.

It was the MOST popular girl's name in 2007, 2nd in 2008, and there are 4 others in her year at school.

Am I being unreasonable to wish I'd called her something a bit less, well, common?

She has two lovely middle names and to my shame I've even asked her if she fancies being called one of these instead.

I know I'm being an awful snob, and I do still like the name but what do you all think?

OP posts:
snazzysocks · 15/01/2011 09:19

I feel your pain! My son is called Harry James after dp's grandad. I hate that it's so bloody common. Let dp chose it as we had previously agreed I'd pick the name if we had a girl, he the boy's (I was convinced we were having a girl). Was so out of it after son was born I agreed and kept thinking I'd change it...never did. Hate saying his name in public! I don't actually hate the name, just wanted something original. I think Ruby is a gorgeous name!

twinklytoes · 15/01/2011 09:28

my dh has a a brother and sister called jason and kylie Grin. both were born in the 70's, long before neighbours.

hoovercraft · 15/01/2011 09:28

I really dislike the name ruby ...dont blame you OP

FabbyChic · 15/01/2011 09:29

How old is this thread?!

Deciduousblonde · 15/01/2011 09:31

My 15 year old is called Evie. Very unusual for its time, not even in the top 100 I believe..but now they are everywhere and on the MN baby names section there are many comments along the lines of ''Oh for goodness sakes, DON'T call your daughter Evie''!!

Heck, I still like it Grin

The chances are that an unusual name will eventually become 'popular' and bite you on the ass one eventually...

dockate · 15/01/2011 09:34

That's what middle names are for, IMO. If SHE feels the need to use a different name in later life, when/if she feels inundated with other Rubies, she can.

I deliberately avoided names in the top 50 for my children for the same reason, despite really liking popular names like Thomas. As a result, neither of mine knows any other children of the same name, though they're both classic names, not "crazy" or especially "original". And both have 2 "spare" middle names to use if they decide on a change...

Fink · 15/01/2011 09:41

[hugs] I got strongarmed by DH into using Ruby as DD's middle name. I have always disliked it and the more I write/say it in relation to DD, the more I hate it.

It doesn't help that because it is now so common, I inevitably meet and teach Rubies I don't like.

Still, though, don't think you can change it now. Let her use a middle name herself when she's old enough to decide, in the meantime I think you'll have to stick with the dreaded Ruby Sad

Rowan49 · 15/01/2011 09:58

I'm the other way around - I have a very unusual name which to be honest sounds a little bit pretentious. It wouldn't be so bad if we'd grown up in leafy suburbia but the school I attended was in an old mining town in the North of England and full of Lees, Garys, Neils, Michelles, Donnas and Karens. All names which have disappeared (I teach secondary English.)

Although I don't have children yet I've already decided on their names :o I like April and Harriet for girls and Leo and Toby for boys. I haven't taught any children with those names - always a positive!

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 10:34

I like Harriet and Leo. I knew a little shit called Tobias which was always shortened to Toby. Plus randomly, I know many dogs called Toby. Pity because the name is lovely.

humanheart · 15/01/2011 10:39

i knew of some people who wanted to give their dog's name to their new baby, so tried to get the dog to accept a different name. didn't work.

Ruby is a lovely name - deep and rich

BuzzLightBeer · 15/01/2011 10:43

zombie thread!

humanheart · 15/01/2011 11:12

what does that mean? what's a zombie thread?

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 11:17

Urm it's an old thread. It's dead and someone has commented on it so it's come back "alive".

humanheart · 15/01/2011 11:25

and?

Mummy2Bookie · 15/01/2011 11:45

Rubys a lovely name. I wanted to call dd ruby but didn't because it is so over used. May use it or a future dd though.

Mummy2Bookie · 15/01/2011 11:46

I like some of the old threads. Maybe I should resurrect some myself.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 11:51

and you asked what it was and I told you...? I didn't call it a Zombie thread!

Buzz-get here and explain yourself!

rubyrubyruby · 15/01/2011 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 11:58

:o brilliant!

CountessVonKnackerstein · 15/01/2011 12:03

You could call her Bea

humanheart · 15/01/2011 12:07

meaning 'and so what?' lady. what's wrong with a resurrected old thread Buzz?

LadyOfTheManor · 15/01/2011 12:21

Yeah Buzz, what's wrong with an old thread?

mummyosaurus · 15/01/2011 12:32

It's a fantastic name. And I only know one Ruby.

I have an Isobel, it was way down the popularity list, but I didn't look at the other spellings of it - DOH!

They are beautiful names, they will be popular.

I still love her name though.

TrillianAstra · 15/01/2011 12:40

RubyrubyrubyRUBY na na na na na na

loopylou6 · 15/01/2011 13:01

I think my dc names are quite classic. I have a 11 yo Connor middle name William, and I have a 6 yo Charlotte, middle name Elizabeth.