Nell and teasing

[LeviStubbsTears]

I know there has been some discussion of this name in the past, but I was just wondering whether anyone had a daughter (or any sort of relative/acquaintance) called Nell, and whether she did indeed get teased at school for the Nell/smell conjunction?

My DH is very worried about the possibility of giving a name which makes teasing easier (or inevitable) and while I think it's silly in one sense to give in to this possibility, I obviously don't want to start down a track that does make this happen later on.

Any examples, good or bad, gratefully received!

Thanks, all.

Well good luck to your husband in finding a name which peverse children won't twist into an insulting name! I think Nell is beautiful, my sister is a Mel(anie) and she did get Smell a bit, but she also got Lemony and only her very closest and dearest friends call her Smell (at age 34)!

I'm an Eleanor and was exclusively known as Nell until the age of about 8/9 when I decided I wanted to be an Eleanor. Great efforts by family and friends to remember. Then I went back to Nel at university and, apart from at work, use it to this day. So you see, your mother really is always right. Although ironically my Mum is one of the few non- work people who has stuck with Eleanor!

TBH I can't clearly remember my reasons for the change. There was definitely an element of hating the Smelly Nelly/Nelly the Elephant thing but TBH there was some bulllying going on at school anyway and kids will always find something to pick on.

I reckon if you love it, go for it. Though I do come from the "not using a nickname/abbreviation on the birth certificate" camp.

I know a Nell and I don't think she'd ever been teased for it.

I really believe that if children are going to be teased, it's just as likely they'll be teased for about their shoes or haircut than their name.

If you like it go for it.

I love that name. Twas part of the reason that I wanted to call DD Ellen. Sadly it is just wrong with the surname.
Go for it, it is gorgeous.

ANY name can be made fun of with a bit of imagination.

More importantly, if a child is going to be teased, the teasers will find a reason, whether it be their name, hair, eyes, nose, voice, whatever!

Nell/Ellen/Eleanor are all lovely names. As hula says all names or initials are susceptible (or not). Go with the name you like!

This is very helpful, thanks folks. I'm also of the full names on birth certificate camp, anton, and she would be Eleanor on the birth certificate (which is a lovely name too but I'd like her to be Nell day to day).

She may get teased, but as you all say, if it's not that it will be something else if the will is there (hopefully it won't be, or not too much at least!). I'm just scarily ignorant about the ways of children in general (not for long, I guess!) so had wondered if this was more of a no-no than I'd thought.

(I love your name LeviStubbsTears - I love the song - are you a BB fan? Off to see him in December.)

Every Single Name can be teased.

My name rhymes with Smella (and it's not actually Bella as my nn would suggest), but that was never what I teased about. Oh no, it was because my named rhymed with the surname of a horrible boy at school and I was teased that it was my surname etc etc.

Nell is beautiful. If she is teased for it, it will be in a way you hadn't even imagined.

I really like Nell.
I agree with the others - they'll always find a way to tease you - whatever your name!

Not all children are teased though - I think a lot of depends on charater and confidence.

Nothing to say your DD will ever have a hard time at school (in case we've worried you!)

i know a grown-up nell. not been teased afaik

Marge: Homer, I've been thinking, if the baby's a boy, what do you think of the name Larry?
Homer: Marge, we can't do that! All the kids will call him 'Larry Fairy'.
Marge: Well, how about Louie?
Homer: They'll call him `Screwy Louie'.
Marge: Bob?
Homer: 'Flob'.
Marge: Luke?
Homer: 'Puke'.
Marge: Marcus?
Homer: 'Mucus'.
Marge: What about Bart?
Homer: Let's see... Bart, Cart, Dart, Ee-art... Nope, can't see any problem with that!

• The Simpsons, "I Married Marge"

I love Nell. I didn't actually make the "smell" connection until you said it. My name's Jessica, which is pretty impossible to rhyme, but I still got the piss taken out of me at school (it was the unfortunate haircut combined with glasses and braces, as well as being a total swot). So, like others have said, no name guarantees that your child will or won't be picked on.

Nell's a beautiful name, we have one in our family, she has never been teased! Helena Bonham Carter's daughter is called Nell x