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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

it would seem the mn masses hate my dd name!

80 replies

itsallgravy · 09/10/2011 22:06

DD is called Layla (mn Violet)

Upon browsing some baby name theads i noticed a lot if people state they 'hate' the name and 'can't imagine a grown woman going for a job interview' and think 'chav' when they hear it

This makes me very sad and worried about people's perceptions of me for calling our daughter this. Stupid I know. But I'm now already worrying if other children's parents at primary school will deem her too 'chavvy' to invite home for tea!

The reason we named DD Layla is because it's a hugely popular name in the Arabic/Muslim world. Dh is an Arab and as I'm british we thought it would be a name that crosses languages and cultures well.

Obviously I shouldnt worry what others think and I love the name on dd. But I can't help now feeling as though I have saddled her with a 'chavvy' name despite the cultural reasons.

(disclaimer - I hate having to use the term chav but I'm using the direct quotes from mners previously describing the name!)

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Caffeinefiend · 09/10/2011 22:43

I think it's lovely..and who cares what other people think? Everyone has their own opinion. It doesn't matter as long as you both love the name and think it suits your DD.

My grandmother hates my DD1's name and I don't care a bit :)

Reesie · 09/10/2011 22:59

It's a lovely name. Definately not chavvy in the slightest.

hester · 09/10/2011 23:04

Really? I have never heard anybody hate it. I think it's very lovely

sqweegiebeckenheim · 09/10/2011 23:25

love it.

Original poster

itsallgravy · 10/10/2011 01:59

Thank you everyone. Some lovely comments.

Interesting someone else has posted tonight about the name Layla too... They are not getting such positive comments

OP posts:

AlpinePony · 10/10/2011 02:27

The first leyla I met was from Iran (family moved to London to escape Iraq-Iran war), she was beautiful and very, very clever. Not a gyrated-around pole in sight!

WishIwereAtTheWiesnProst · 10/10/2011 02:37

How is Layla chavvy??

I think of the song when I hear it but that's the only association I can think of it. Think its a pretty name!

LaLaLaLayla · 10/10/2011 03:04

How very dare they .

Layla is a beautiful name. And coupled with Violet... your DD is very lucky that you have chosen so well. I think you are right, it is a name that crosses languages and cultures well. I have loved growing up with an Arabic name, it makes me feel exotic.

flimflammery · 10/10/2011 03:15

There are plenty of 'chavvy' names and Layla's not one of them imo. Also, I like it. So there. I might spell it Leila, for preference.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/10/2011 07:26

I know an Iranian Layla too!
Think it's the way the other poster has asked about the name to be honest.

BloodandScumatron · 10/10/2011 07:40

I have 2 dd's. Dd1's name got the piss ripped out of it on here not too long ago and dd2's name is adored by about 99% of the people on here.

Can't please all the people all the time

I like layla btw, I know a few and wouldn't consider it 'chavvy' at all

maxybrown · 10/10/2011 07:47

Both myself and DH work in schools - I haven't come across the name before after 15 years!! I have only once met a Layla, when I was a child at an acting company, she too was the same cross culture as your DD funnily enough! Think it was spelt differeently though. She was lovely. I can think of lots of "traditional" cringe worthy names amongst schools and that is not one!

Now I'm singing the song in my head and the guitar bits of course

birdofthenorth · 10/10/2011 08:33

My DD's name is slated as vile on MN too. I don't give two hoots

grubbalo · 10/10/2011 09:10

Oh don't worry, names on here are either chavvy, boring or try-hard. I can guarantee that if you suggest any name on mumsnet, someone will describe it as one of those three things!

FWIW I know 1 Layla who is certainly not chavvy! And so long as you like it - who cares really?!

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 10/10/2011 09:20

How on earth is Layla chavvy ?

I like it, ignore the sillly arses, they've probably lumbered their kids with Cuthbert and Constantine or somesuch.

MrsEricBana · 10/10/2011 09:21

Agree, never thought of Layla as chavvy (and even if it is, so what?) and your reasons for choosing it are perfect. Plus, I really think that the person makes the name their own anyway - Colin Firth doesn't seem to have suffered too much from being called, erm, Colin

LittleMissFlustered · 10/10/2011 09:24

I went to school with a Layla. Lovely if somewhat easily distracted

mogandthecat · 10/10/2011 09:27

It is a beautiful name and especially suiting as you have Arab heritage. I know of 3 Laylas (varying spellings) none remotely chavvy. I think people on here are sometimes critical if a name is seen as popular, and Layla has risen in popularity but is still nowhere near the top 10 I don't think - sometimes this results in names being referred to by the c word if they become popular across the board (in which case there will be people from all demographics using the name). I would not worry, but I know it can be very hurtful seeing negative remarks about the name you have chosen for your child. As someone said, not everyone likes the same names.

MrsBranning · 10/10/2011 09:29

I prefer the spelling Leila, but either way, it's a nice name.

ShroudOfHamsters · 10/10/2011 10:12

I think the comments you have read probably refer more to the current popularity of the Lily/Lola/Lila/Leila/Layla-type names. There are a lot of these around at the mo, plus lots of inventive spellings... cue the c-word being bandied around!

But I don't think that this translates as people meeting a little Lara, Lola or Layla and thinking 'How common!'- individually, they're all nice names. Plus, I presume it's obvious that your Layla is of Arabic descent, which changes everything as far as 'reading' a name is concerned...your DD very obviously carries a beautiful, traditional name from her own culture.

Don't worry!

hester · 10/10/2011 10:20

Yup, I think it's just got a bit of the Mia-Scarlett-Ava-Evie syndrome, where it's getting a bit slagged off because it's got popular.

But there's not THAT many Laylas around (I don't know any!). And the current trendiness doesn't stop it being a beautiful name. In 20 years Kate Moss's daughter will be a distant memory...

oohlaalaa · 10/10/2011 10:22

I don't think its chavvy, in the least. It also works in both cultures. Good choice.

winkle2 · 10/10/2011 16:33

Beautiful first name,middle name and combination!

And def works as a cross-cultural name.

Big thumbs up from me :)

GooseyLoosey · 10/10/2011 16:36

Seems a fine name to me.

I have a friend who has a baby Tara for the same reason as she was trying to find a name that worked for both communities and another one with a Rowan (not sure if she spells it like that though).

HoneyPablo · 10/10/2011 16:36

I don't know any girls called Layla. I think it's a lovely name.

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