Everyone laughs at my babies name......thinking of changing it????

[KidderminsterKate]

Well, title says it all really. DS is 10 weeks old and is a handsome smilng chap already so gets alot of attention. My parents hate his name but are sort of used to it...my other DC's love the name but its HVs and shop keepers and friends and friends of friends that usually just eh and then oh.

I wasnt bothered at first but now its starting to get to me. I do love the name but am a bit embarrassed now.

Would these sort of things make you change the name??? I'm thinking of changing it to Edward (Ted).

Sorry, but I also think change it to Edward and use Bear as a NN.

Oh calm down people!

Bear is fine OP - it's hardly worth the reaction some of these mothers of Ben, Daniel and Jack or whatever other dull, unimaginative blend-into-the background names they plump for, are giving it.
I can think of much more outlandish names than Bear doing the rounds just now. Bear is quite nice.

Gosh, even Jamie Oliver in the height of mad-child-naming-celebness only dared to use Bear as a middle name for his son.

Normally I'd say stick to your original plan (I speak as someone still trying to convince DH that Merlin is a good name) but in all honesty Edward would be MUCH kinder.

Now, if you'd called him Wolf, that would have been fine!

well yes the Bear idea came fro me considering Edward with ted/teddy for a nn. But I went with bear. It really does suit him. My other have slightly unusual names (well at the time) too but not like Bear.

Did no-one tell you it was a daft name before you gave birth?? I mean, why decide now that you might change it? Surely you must have had comments beforehand but decided it was a great name and to stick to your guns? If you like it, take no notice of others. Bear is a perfectly fine name if you are the child of a sleb and likely to be surrounded by Pixies, Kittens, Harpers etc but I don't know if there are many of those in Kidderminster.

Hmm. A fabulous out there name in many ways but tough to carry off!

It's difficult - he could be a total extrovert and love the name and make everyone jealous that they don't have such fabulous names... Or he could be shy and HATE it.

I'd change the BC to Edward, but wouldn't actually tell anyone and keep calling him Bear. Then just play it by ear and see how HE takes to his Manda's he gets bigger.

I LOVE it...it's an awesome name.

Keep it!

Takes to his NAME as he gets bigger I meant!!

FGS whatever you do don't start calling him Manda

I think it's a great name and think that people that laugh in your face should have better manners! I say that as have also been laughed at with DD's name. We did decide to put a 'sunday' name on the BC though. It's nice to have options (you know just in case he really doesn't suit Bear when he gets older as it's a big old name to live up to) and Edward (nn Bear) is fab too.

Oh yes,I'd perhaps put Edward on the BC,but don't tell anyone.

"Bear is fine OP - it's hardly worth the reaction some of these mothers of Ben, Daniel and Jack or whatever other dull, unimaginative blend-into-the background names they plump for, are giving it."

Actually I am coming at it from the angle of having grown up with a stupid name so yes, it really is worth that reaction.

Growing up with a stupid name is horrible. Really, truly horrible.

Bear as a nickname: fine. As a proper name: Shite.

Make it a middle name or change it to Edward.

It really is too much as a first name. It's cute on a baby. It's silly on a teenager and ridiculous on an adult.

I have an unusual name btw.
My mum got the same sort of reaction as the one on here, when she had me. Not that she cared.
I like my name just fine.

Edward would be a great name if he becomes a lawyer, Bear is great name for an artist. Just hedge your bets a little?

There is a difference between an unusual name and a daft one.

If you like it keep it.
If you dont, change it.

Does he have a 'normal' middle name he can use?

I gave all my five at least one 'normal' name just in case they all turn out to be accountants or bank managers instead of rock stars and jazz musicians.

Seemed only fair.

I do like the name Bear but he will get a lot of attention because of it. Either he'll be an extrovert that can carry it off or he'll just use his middle name. I think you have a difficult decision to make Kate but ultimately you have to do what you think is best for your son. A lot of people have unusual names but people get used to them quickly enough.

My DP wanted to call our baby Bear if it was a boy. We got a girl, so I'm not sure what we would have done. I do think its a nice name, but I would be worried about the exact experiences you have had.

By the way not impressed with HV etc laughing at your childs name. Just what a new mother needs .

I think you should change his name officially to Edward but continue to call him Bear.

People are so bloody rude though, I've heard loads of name that I think are 'odd' (big trend around here is misspelling traditional names and making new ones up), but never would I say thats what I thought/laugh at the mother.

I know a dog called bear ( he is like a teddy bear) and people laugh at that..
bear is nick name not a real name

Carry on calling him Bear and change his birth certificate to Edward. :)

Ok, I can see why people have laughed at Bear as they probably think you are joking!
It is cute which will be a problem when he is a man.
But it is your choice :)

I think I prefer rumpellstillskin. Bear is decidedly normal after that.