Negative reactions to baby's name

[findingherfeet]

DS is 11 weeks old, he has a unusual name (my hubs is not British - it's a name from his country of origin)

Obviously I adore baby's name, it's very easy to pronounce and spell in English, so didn't think it would cause him any difficulties.

Getting a little paranoid with the amount of 'oh... Well that's unusual' type reactions to his name. It's not so much I care if people don't like it. I just don't know how best to respond without sounding like I'm justifying why I'd name my child a non English name....my name is pretty out there so it 'fits' with our family.

"Well, it's very popular in

Just tell them "hmm, I suppose, never thought of it really" don't make a big deal of it yourself or think you have to justify it. People might be saying that just to prompt you to tell them why you chose that

Ah ignore them, unusual is good. Who wants to be normal any way. If you like it who's to judge. My name I've realised is fairly common but in school I was the only one with that name and I liked it. It meant I was different :)

My three children have unusual names, all easy to pronounce and spell in English. I always tell people there's at least one child per class with their name where I come from. 'Oh' is the response, although apparently I did well with DD1 and DS whose names seem to get lots of approval. DD2 shares a name with a world famous actress but that is not sufficient to meet with approval in England apparently...

I don't see the problem with people saying that's unusual. I probably wouldn't say it myself in real life even if I thought it. If it's not a name heard by people then it is unusual from their point of view. It's not as if they've said that's dreadful how could you call a baby that. I'd just ignore it.

Ignore. My sons name is Nate but there a few people who completely ignore this and call him Nathan. Older people mainly. I ignore. I had 'that's unusual' too. It's not!
Ignore the mizzogs ;)

You've lost me a bit, you gave him what you yourself describe as an unusual name and you're unhappy that other people say it's unusual?

People comment on my son's name being unusual and I say "Yes, that's one of the reasons we picked it." Better that than be 1 of 7,168 Harrys!

My name is unusual and I've always loved it. DH was named one of the top 20 names of the late 70's/early 80's and thinks his name is awful.

I love having an original name-nobody forgets it when they've heard it, and although I spend a great deal of time telling people how to spell it, usually when I've finished they tell me how pretty or unusual it is. I take 'unusual' as a compliment and so should you. The only time I've ever felt a name didn't suit was when it was really boring and they had a really sparkling personality. I bet your dc's name really suits them.

I know it's a bit silly. I suppose i'm used to the really positive reaction mine and daughters unusual names!

Oh well, at least everyone can pronounce it...and yeah I agree I liked being the only one with my name at school, different is good

( I just wish whilst I'm sleep deprived/ a bit hormonal people would lie and say 'oh...nice' end of )

Can you tell us what it is?

Spill the beans.

What is it?!

Don't worry, my Son is called Rafe - so not that out there, but some people were a bit rude about it! I love it, but it still rattled me a bit, especially in those early months when I was sleep deprived and sensitive. People can be so insensitive sometimes, but it's not usually coming from a nasty place. I love hearing new names!

I've been a p1 teacher for 25 years and at this time of year I get to meet my new intake. I love scanning the list for names that are new to me. This year out of my incoming class of 31 (!!) I have 14 names that I've never taught before. That child "shapes" my view of the name, hence the reason that teachers find it very tricky to name their own offspring because nearly every name "belongs" to someone else!

I always take it as a compliment when people tell me that dad's name is unique! I'd smile proudly and say, "Thanks, it's from DH's country".

Just say, yes isn't it! I think sometimes people prefer to say something's unusual if they aren't familiar with it rather than gawp and say point blank, where did you get that from.

14 names that I've never taught before that's a lot of potential fresh material for Baby Names turdfairynomore.

My DD has a name that I considered to be quite straightforward regarding spelling but it surprised me how many stumble over it.

What's the name? Just ignore people who have that reaction. He's not their son and I'm sure your son will own whatever name it is

I had a friend say "so what made you choose Claudia?" and when I said "Oh, I always liked it" she said "Yes, it was a surprise". Haha.

Ignore them if you love it. People should learn to nod and smile, especially when it comes to a new mum and baby.

I'm sure it's a great name.