I'm starting a Baby Names mutiny... Who will join me?

[CheeseAndBunion]

Last year Mumsnetters rallied behind a seemingly pointless quest of mine to find a lost teddy and helped give my son a very Merry Xmas. The comments and posts on my thread were unbelievably kind and I was struck by what a great bunch of people Mumsnetters must be. On the Baby Names forum though I often read comments which would give the impression we are the total opposite and that instead it's populated by quite a vicious bunch.

I have read some awful things written about my child's name on here, comments that have sometimes really stung. If I was posting to ask advice about his weight, hair colour, acne or sexuality then I have no doubt people would reply with kindness but instead I've seen endless posts about how 'x' will never be a doctor or using 'y' is akin to child abuse and that you shouldn't have been allowed to breed if you were going to name your baby 'z' (or worse something beginning with k). I've seen parents and children described in the most awful way just because their naming style differs from others and for the most part the names being attacked are ones in the current top 100. Names that will be unremarkable, commonplace and totally acceptable once our youngsters are young no more. As most people on this forum are likely to be hormonal parents to be, or sleep deprived and angst ridden, I wonder if an intervention is needed?

I'm going to start an appreciation society for the hyphenated. A support network for those with the initial K. A meeting place for the made up, awkwardly spelt and abbreviated. You're all welcome - membership is free and there is booze on offer. Founder members include Tony and Cherie (nickname and slightly common sounding), Condoleeza Rice (made up spelling), Madonna (sounds like a sex worker) and Willie Walsh (never going to get a decent job with a name like that). Kay Burley, Kirsty Young and Kate Middleton have shown interest in joining. Yes, Kate has the far more acceptable 'Catherine' to fall back on but it's obvious she has experienced first hand the negative affect on your life a 'K' name can cause. Our hyphenated patrons have asked to remain anonymous as they know the persecution that might follow if the unfortunate dash in their name becomes public.

So I'll start...

My name is CheeseandBunion and I have a child with a nickname on their birth certificate... And I like it.

PrettyInDecadence Fanny?

Sorry, didn't mean to cause upset, especially on this thread! I know/have met quite a few Nevaehs I just wondered if anyone would admit to having one on here, it always comes up on those 'most ridiculous names you've ever heard' threads. Those threads are the worst and they make me super angry

I like Nevaeh I think it's a pretty name.

I think it's pretty and was in the running for dd1 but I must admit being put off because there are so many where I live.

I am Popoozle & I'd like to join your mutiny.

DS1 has a VERY common, popular overused name.

DS2 has a short name WITHOUT a longer name for his birth certificate - heaven forbid! How will he ever become a High Court judge now? .

DD has a name which is always mentioned in the lovely "most hated name" threads that pop up here and there. It's a top 20 name but, apparently, it verges on child abuse.

OK. My name is stleger, and I hate,loathe and detest my rl name, which is beloved of mumsnetters who love ghastly old lady names.My ds is known by his middle name, as his first name is his dad's family name and is horrible.
Then I have dd1 and dd2; dd1's name is made up, but was made up by someone else, and she was a glamorous arty type. DD2's name is 'marmite' on here, and many people point out what she will be called in school. (She is 15, and unscathed). They have middle names of the 'May' variety, used loads now, but old fashioned in the 1990's. None of the names go together, have different 'sources'; we are Irish and none of the names are Irish.
PLUS,the BONUS, MIL hated them all!

And how is Nevaeh pronounced? It seems no worse/better than Niamh, which seems to mostly pass the test (although Irish spellings are so difficult).

Betty it's not Ethel. Even older-lady. Suits her down to the ground. I can't say what for fear of outing her and me...

Ooo - having read more of the thread, I now see it appropriate to confess that my DD is also a Poppy .

Its pronounced Nev-ay-ah

stleger Nee-va.

Ah, see no one seems to be able to get it right when using Irish names! The traditional, unpronounceable spellings are seen as child abuse yet anglicising them is seen as butchering lovely names. I wonder which (if any) names remain unscathed.

Having said that, I could not have chosen the names we're using for DC4 without Mumsnet as we have such a bloody awkward surname!

I go on the baby names thread. If somebody comes and said I'm thinking of calling my baby xxx or xxxx. Honest opinions please. Well I give my opinion. It's only an opinion. And I wouldn't want anybody to be upset by it. Names are just a matter of personal taste. I might like a film and somebody else might hate it. doesn't mean I am right and they are wrong.

I'm amazed that people have a bad thing to say about Poppy!

Oh its nev-ay-ah round here!

ImaCleverClogs, I've got to say we have no children called Fanny! We do however have a Jesse and will soon have either a Kai or a Romany

Ooops, have to admit, I never saw it written down.

Its heaven spelled backwards btw

Romany is lovely.

I must say, I did despair when I met a little Nevaeh, spelt Neveah. Little Neveah's mum was also very proud to announce that her DD's names was heaven spelt backwards. I didn't have the heart to tell her that, actually, it's not :o

Blimey, it's a blimmin' minefield isn't it?
So, is it Irish then?

Not that I'm aware bewitched.

pretty!

I'm in. My DN's both have names that will suit them for when they become burlesque dancers as they wont have to bother with stage names. The soon to be born boy will be named after a cuddly toy and that will be his name on the birth certificate despite me telling sister he will never be prime minister unless she has the full version on the certificate. What to do? its a fab --nick- name.

Oh they sure do MrsRB - just start a thread saying you'd like honest opinions on naming your baby Poppy & see what happens .

Only on MN though, we never get that reaction in RL thankfully!

I've given my sons dog names and while one daughter has a horrible & poncetastic name & the other has a Proper Poncey name but is always known by her cutsey, -ie ending, nickname.