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Original poster

No one likes my child's name!!

88 replies

ButtonMoon88 · 23/04/2015 22:53

Hello I gave birth to my first child in January, a little girl. My partner and I decided on the name Jeane (Jean) after my grandma, and also because we just liked it and it suits us and her. Our immediate family love it, but there have been a few sarky comments from people and it's so hurtful. Not only does she share the name with a wonderfully strong woman, she completely carries the name off herself so why do people feel the need to comment?

Has anyone experienced nasty comments about names and how do you deal with it? Please don't bother to comment if you are going to say something unpleasant that isn't the point of my thread! Thank you

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MiscellaneousAssortment · 24/04/2015 04:34

My best friend said the name I'd picked for DS was awful and sounded like a paedophile name Shock

I still don't get why she thought that was appropriate or in the slightest bit kind!

She got her way though (which was presumably what she wanted) as the name became tainted with negative associations and decided against it in the end :(

Grrrrrr!

IhavenevermetAnthonyHead · 24/04/2015 04:37

Although I think it's VERY rude to say anything to your face about your DDs name, you do need to grow a thicker skin over this and be a bit pragmatic about it. I think if you pick something that isn't regularly in the top 20 if currently popular names or go for a tried and tested classic like Hannah or Emma you are always going to get people who really don't like your choice. There are a zillion names out there - we can't all like them all.

For every person who hates it and says so there will be 5 who love it and 20 who don't have an opinion either way. It's also very much a generational and cultural/class thing as well, so you'll get different reactions from different sorts of people. Jeane is a name that's widely associated with women in their 60s or 70s now, so older people probably just don't see it as a sweet or trendy baby's name but as something dated.

I am dreading the time when babies start to be called Jackie and Tracey and Colin and Russell again - I will struggle to hide my horror. Grin

I like Jeane though. I would call her Jeannie.

burgatroyd · 24/04/2015 05:36

My dd's name is Elaine, nn Laney.

People often go wow over her sisters name and Hmm over hers.

It used to bother me but now not so much. Its funny mnetting her names. Mnetters really don't like the name Elaine!

IhavenevermetAnthonyHead · 24/04/2015 05:43

Exactly for the reasons I said above burg! Many people on here are in their 40s and 50s and have sisters/friends/cousins called Elaine!

Think of the two or three names you came across mostly commonly at school and ask yourself if you'd want to call your child those? But your children and grandchildren will find them lovely, and you'll be bewildered by it!

IhavenevermetAnthonyHead · 24/04/2015 05:47

It depends on your local accent as well. Saying Elaine with a soft E and the emphasis on laine is okay, but I grew up in rough sarf Laarndon, where people would put the emphasis harshly on the first syllable and say 'Oi Ee-lyne' in a grating estuary accent reminiscent of Boycie from Only Fools and Horses, saying 'Marlene!'

burgatroyd · 24/04/2015 06:47

But enough about me! Jeane is lovely. I'd nn her Jeannie for now. I know a little Jeannie and I did love her name when I first heard it.

burgatroyd · 24/04/2015 06:51

ihavemet souf London accents can mangle any name! Funnily enough I dont know any Elaines!

Michelle, Sharon, Carrie, Nadia... All these names seem dated to me but will be trendy in the next twenty years.

Only1scoop · 24/04/2015 06:54

Lovely name

And it's hardly a marmite one either

Take no notice.

IthinkIneedmorewine · 24/04/2015 06:54

I LOVE IT!

My DD has the middle name Jean, and we call her Jeanie. She is named after my fierce Granny Grin
If she wasn't, then it would have been spelt Jeane, because I love the Smiths song of the same name.
See also Bowie and Jean Genie. Lots of dancing to that in this house!

Belazu84 · 24/04/2015 09:05

So sad that you have had to put up with this. Jean is cool - it's retro, but that's what makes it special. I bet it will be in fashion soon. I know a very cool, grown up Jeannie and have always rather envied her name.
(And to your friend who said she should be called Isabelle - seriously? Is that the only name on offer? Everyone seems to be called Isabelle these days!)

IvoryMadonna · 24/04/2015 11:44

I know what you mean about Elaine, IhavenevermetAnthonyHead - people do the same with Yvonne (Eee-von). Elaine is a name of my own generation, I didn't like it very much until I read about Arthurian legends, there are a couple of Elaines in those tales. Then it really grew on me.

Much of people's opinions and taste in names are formed by associations, so I find it endlessly interesting.

Viviennemary · 24/04/2015 11:51

When people on MN ask for opinions on names I give them. In real life If somebody was thinking of calling a baby x and I didn't like it I'd say I wasn't keen. After the child had been named I wouldn't criticize the name. That's rude. If you like it that's the important thing. But no point in asking people's opinions and then getting annoyed. But you didn't do that.

CrispyFern · 24/04/2015 12:04

Jean is a great name, I'm sure it's on the up!

Twirlwirlywoo · 24/04/2015 12:10

I was sat bored for tears in a waiting room yesterday afternoon and listening to names they called out. I heard Jean whateversurname - and a older lady stood up. It was then I thought - Jean was a name I always considered an "old ladies name" but actually - I think it is a very cool name nowadays and was wondering if more new mums are opting for Jean.

Elsie was a name a few years ago people guffawed at - now it is fairly popular.

Ignore the people that are rude enough to comment negatively. I think the name Jean still has it time to come around again - you are just ahead of game in this generation,so enjoy being a little unique. Smile

MrsHathaway · 24/04/2015 12:18

I must admit that I pulled a face at Jeane because of the spelling, but once I'd read through your post and saw why you'd chosen it, I loved it. Beautiful.

Agatha is also fantastic.

A friend of mine has just given her new baby a peculiar name (it's from a song but was made up by the composer). I will never ever tell her I don't think much of it, and I am very likely to use the diminutive they've already offered. Because I have more than half an ounce of manners, I'll smile nicely and find something else to compliment. I wouldn't dream of telling her I hated it.

Blahia · 24/04/2015 13:18

IGNORE THEM!! They are idiots. It's a beautiful name, and no one likes every name out there, that doesn't mean you should make nasty/ stupid comment. I'm sure your daughter will love it.

zipzap · 24/04/2015 13:30

Next time somebody tells you they don't like it - tell them 'Good, because if you don't like it then I know we've made the right decision and we've chosen a fab cool name'.

If they're going to get rude about your name choices then they can hardly complain if you are equally rude back and it might make them stop and think twice about being rude about names again Grin

And yes, it is a great name, one that's been languishing for too long and hasn't yet been picked up by the middle class masses like many others from the same era!

Original poster
ButtonMoon88 · 24/04/2015 14:19

We are also smiths and Bowie fans so lots of special reasons for us to call her Jeane. I am fully aware not everyone is going to like it, there are after all lots of names I'm not fond of, but I wouldn't say it, I'm just surprised people think it's ok to say it out loud!!
I'm trying to rehearse lots of witty responses so I'm ready if needed, I usually just splutter and get all embarrassed!!

OP posts:
Totality22 · 24/04/2015 15:15

I think it's a beautiful name (it's my Mama's name, and for that reason we decided we wouldn't use it!)

No more kids for us sadly but if ever we did magic one up that would be the only girls name I would reach for.

I adore it

didn't use it as a middle name sadly

burgatroyd · 24/04/2015 19:08

Yvonne is a lovely sound too. Vera also. If you just sound these names out they do sound lovely.

Chancewouldbefinething · 24/04/2015 21:47

Jeane is a beautiful name. It's strong yet pretty. I think it's actually about to take off in the popularity stakes. Who ARE these people making negative comments?!!??
They clearly have no taste!! I would seriously not pay it a second thought. Incidentally I have boys.. but Jean would have been one our middle name choices had we been blessed with a girl Wink

crazycatlady82 · 24/04/2015 22:33

Oh, I like Jeane :) xx

LittleIda · 24/04/2015 22:39

I love names like Jean, Joan and Betty. I think the series Mad Men made them seem very cool to me.

Ludways · 24/04/2015 22:47

I genuinely like it.

aoife24 · 25/04/2015 16:37

How extraordinarily rude. If I was you you I'd say that to them and ask them to keep their mean and nasty opinions to themselves.