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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Opinions on...

60 replies

everythinghippie29 · 26/08/2013 23:07

Chael, for a boy?

DP loves it, I do like it but so far have only seen one person named it, (a UFC fighter incidentally) and I'm wondering what opinions are or if anyone has heard it elsewhere?

OP posts:

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riskit4abiskit · 27/08/2013 11:25

Teacher confession: when making my seating plans for my new classes every year I often dont know most of the kids (huge school).

Certain names are 'selected' based on their spelling and type of name to be sat in certain locations!

Its terribly judgey I know but its often correct. I would sit chael near the front sorry!

riskit4abiskit · 27/08/2013 11:26

Have to add that sometimes I am wrong too!

squoosh · 27/08/2013 11:29

I'm so shocked at that riskit!

Writerwannabe83 · 27/08/2013 11:42

Hahaha riskit - that's probably something I would do!

Original poster

everythinghippie29 · 27/08/2013 11:59

Ha, Riskit, as long as he ends up paying attention!

I've worked in schools myself and generally have found there to be a 50/50 mix of unusual to traditional names so don't think there is as much of a stigma as there was with stranger ones.

That having been said, the only current , Chael I have heard of is a lairy professional fighter so maybe you are all onto something

OP posts:

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:08

I am a teacher too and would be very by this name. I would put it in the same camp as Katie Price's Jett - which is also a horrible name. Sorry OP but it really is a BAD NAME and (although they would be wrong to do so) many would assume that you're a very 'chavvy' family.

I work in an independent school and most of the names I come across are lovely and traditional and so much nicer than curly Chael. Why do you feel the need to saddle your boy with such a 'different' name? It will be a massive social hindrance imo.

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:08

Not my opinions by the way - just how I suspect that he (and you) will be judged and seen by others.

squoosh · 27/08/2013 12:12

I can't believe that so many teachers can be so bigoted. And you're shaping the minds of the nation's children?

You horrify me.

Enb76 · 27/08/2013 12:17

Is the 'ch' hard or soft? Chael like chair sounds a bit weird to me like gaol and with a hard 'k' sound reminds me of Willow. Still, it's your child.

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:20

Oh God - don't you think that 'horrify' is a bit OTT and rather overused on MN

I have given the OP my opinion that Chael is a pretty naff name to saddle a poor baby with and that certain people in society (and I bet there are rather a large proportion of them are on this very website) would think it 'chavvy'. I also said that I prefer traditional names which are the ones I encounter every day at work. Not sure why you find that so horrifying.

I know that another teacher said that she would sit him at the front of the class which I am sure was tongue in cheek but was her way of telling the OP how her son might be perceived by others if he is given such an unfortunate name. I am afraid that - rightly or wrongly - it happens.

Are you really telling me squoosh that you would not have some sort of preconceived ideas about a Rupert or a Kyle? Really?

Writerwannabe83 · 27/08/2013 12:23

I agree with littlemog - everyone makes assumptions about people they don't know based on limited information, and that's just life.

Anyone who says that they never make snap judgements about peope based on their name, job, lifestyle, appearance etc is telling porkies

bridgetsmum · 27/08/2013 12:23

I don't like it, looks like you're trying to be a bit wacky and "out there"

It's a silly name IMHO
Sorry

squoosh · 27/08/2013 12:24

My preconceived idea would be that Rupert comes from an upper middle class family and Kyle comes from a working class family.

Beyond that I genuinely have no idea what their characters would be. And neither do you. That's why you and other teachers who are appalled at the idea of child who doesn't have a lovely middle class traditional name horrify me.

Writerwannabe83 · 27/08/2013 12:26

I imagine the judgement is based on the type of parents that child has, not the actual child itself.

But then, when you image what the parents are like, you probably make judgements on their parenting styles which in turn makes you guess how well behaved the child may be??

peanutMD · 27/08/2013 12:31

First thing that springs to mind is a minging vegetable.

FWIW OP my DS has a naughty/chavvy name by MN standards (there are about 90 threads on it) can't say its ever held him back, that I know of and so what if people have preconceived ideas. That soon changes when they meet and learn more about the child.

ZolaBuddleia · 27/08/2013 12:35

Is it CHael like CHair, or CHael like CHopper?

Is it ael like ale or ael like ull?

If it's like ale I wouldn't be keen on the repeated 'ay' sound once it's combined with Taylor.

Original poster

everythinghippie29 · 27/08/2013 12:36

I never saw the chavvy element, but I suppose that label can get thrown around when a name is different. I quite like Jett if I'm honest. I personally like different names and am yet to find a traditional one I really like, I'm not adverse to it however!

Its pronounced with a Ch (like for Charlie) sound.

Quite funny to see some of the reactions as we are rather far away from chavvy and a bit closer to new-agey/ certainly odd!

Points taken that the general consensus isn't positive!

As someone who has worked in a school environment I'm quite surprised that some teachers are as judgemental over names, I can see how initial opinions might be formed but I would certainly hope it wouldn't have an ongoing affect on how you would teach the child. I have seen teachers judge based on areas children live though so I guess I shouldn't be.

OP posts:

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:41

Right squoosh you have just admitted that you would make assumptions about a person based on their name which is exactly what I said! So in fact you are 'horrified' but you agree with me....

Also perhaps you can point out to me where I said that I am appalled at the idea of a child who doesn't have a lovely middle class traditional name ? Here's a hint - you can't because I didn't.

And there you go being all 'horrified' again. Such a silly OTT reaction tbh squoosh , especially when you have agreed that you make assumptions based on names just like everyone else does. Sigh.

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:47

hippie I may be a teacher but I am not being judgemental over names apart from the fact that I would find it to be odd/unusual. I gave you my thoughts on the name itself and also my own preferences for traditional names.

Other people might think differently - that is what I was trying to point out! It's worth considering how a name might be perceived by others in the big wide world isn't it?

OP - since you mention it.... Charlie! That is a lovely name! Not tempted?!

squoosh · 27/08/2013 12:47

Littlemog are you actually a teacher at all? I find that ever so hard to believe. Go back and read your post where you said 'I work in an independent school and most of the names I come across are lovely and traditional and so much nicer than curly Chael.'

Sound familiar?

Of course we make assumptions, I assume there's a high chance that someone called Saoirse will be Irish and someone called Innes will be Scottish, these aren't offensive assumptions, yours are.

Sigh

littlemog · 27/08/2013 12:51

It's fine that you don't believe I am a teacher. It matters not a jot to me!

I shall try this again, and in simple terms squoosh.

I PREFER TRADITIONAL NAMES

I DO NOT LIKE THE NAME CHAEL yes it makes me think of curly kale

I HAVE MADE NO ASSUMPTIONS AT ALL

Ok?

ZolaBuddleia · 27/08/2013 12:52

Nearly there.

And is it ael like ale or ull?

Original poster

everythinghippie29 · 27/08/2013 12:54

Littlemog, that's really exactly why I asked so I do appreciate everyone who has offered an opinion.

You are right, regardless of the morality of it, people do judge and make preconceptions so its always good to have an idea of what those will be!

As it stands DP it fairly useless with coming up with names and a lot of my suggestions have been vetoed already! Doh! Part of me was hoping it was an unusual diamond in the rough!

Not a big fan of Charlie, its quite cute on little ones but just not to our tastes- I don't know why.

OP posts:

Original poster

everythinghippie29 · 27/08/2013 12:56

Zola, as mentioned up post it rhymes with male. So the ale would prob be more accurate.

OP posts:

squoosh · 27/08/2013 12:59

Goodness littlemog you do seem to have got yourself in a bit of a tizzy. But don't worry, your writing style is more than simple enough for me to have understood your initial post quite clearly.

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