Billy-Joel. Would it be rude to say something?

[ShadowFire]

A friend is expecting a baby boy.

We were e-mailing earlier, and she said that one of the names she likes is Billy-Joel. Would it be rude to ask if she's remembered about the singer? Or is that a very obvious connection that she's bound to have thought of already?

Not wanting to cause upset as it wasn't really in the context of "What do you think of...."

I would say something. It's possible she likes it because it's familiar on a subconscious level but she hasn't yet realised why IYSWIM.

Awkward but you'll be doing her future DC a favour!

Just say 'oh like the singer?' Nothing offensive about that

I'd have to resist the temptation to start humming "my life".

Or maybe say, oh I used to really like billy Joel.

I'm presuming she must be a big Billy Joel fan, how could she not have made the connection? It would be like saying I want to call my child Barry-Manilow. Definitely bring it up though.

I'm cringing for Baby B'Joel.

Well OP I think you have two choices here... you can either , or you can take the view that choosing a name is a very personal, emotional thing for expectant parents, and maybe you should just .

I think you should say something

I think you should Tell Her About It. If she gets upset, well, you Didn't Start the Fire.

Yes, I would just ask her casually if it's after the singer as well. Without sounding incredulous or scathing, obviously. Just in an interested sort of tone.

I'm naming my DS just Joel and 2 people have mentioned billy Joel so I'm amazed no one has to her!

Yes definitely mention it.

You May Be Right to mention it. The best policy is Honesty.

Yes perhaps say something. If you haven't replied to her email yet it will be easier to bring it up, but if you already replied you can still mention it.

Maybe something like "when I was naming DS I was very tempted to call him x after my favourite singer but DP vetoed it! Are you naming your DS after the singer or did you just like the name?"

I don't know, that might be too much. A casual question would be fine to. But you should raise it in a non-judgemental way, she might be quite embarrassed if she hasn't thought of it and quite defensive if she has.

Please mention it. "outs self" As someone who was given the femsle version of this name, and teased mercilessly even though t was only used ss a middle name. Please don't let her inflict this on the poor child.

Hears Billie Jean is not my lover being sung manically in my head (its not Billie Jean)

Yes. Tell Her About It. If she says it's My Life then at least you tried. I suspect You May Be Right and she's not thought about it for The Longest Time. But don't put her under too much Pressure

This ^ is what the poor kid will get his whole life. Please say something.

I've got a Joel and people always say "Oh like Billy Joel", so I'm assuming she must realise. To be honest, I'd be more concerned about the initials.

I didn't reply to the email yet - so sounds like a reply along the lines of "like the singer?" should be okay?