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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby Names - why are some people so rude?

151 replies

Metrobaby · 17/05/2004 12:41

OK a bit of a rant here. My ds was nameless when he was born, but now 3 weeks on dh and I finally compromised on a name - Isaac.

Now I know whatever name you pick there will always be people who like it, and other people who don't. However, I am really surprised by some people's reactions to the name we chose. I've had some that have laughed, someone who asked if I was serious, someone who said 'oh dear', MIL who decided she's going to call him Ben (one of our considered alternatives) regardless, and my family who keep coming up with alternatives.

It just makes me fume - especially as I don't think the name we chose is that unusual. If people don't like the name why can't they keep their opinions to themselves? Or am I odd in that I would never dream of telling anyone that their baby's name was not nice?

I think I could do with one of Twinkie's famous put down lines ...

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lazyeye · 17/05/2004 13:26

I really find it odd as well that pple think they can pass comment. It so rude...Even if I didn't like the name and I do like Issac btw, I would never, never say anything. Everyone gets a chance to name their children, so sod 'em I say.

Bloody rude, no 2 ways.

My sis doesn't like my current fav for no3. If she says any more I won't be able to hold myself back.........

CountessDracula · 17/05/2004 13:26

jimmychoos he felt that a man should have a memorable name (bloody weirdo)

coddycodcod · 17/05/2004 13:29

By coddycodcod on Monday, 17 May, 2004 12:52:31 PM

I think I would say " you get the piles and you choose the name"

jimmychoos · 17/05/2004 13:42

It's funny that this is going on here while everyone is being rude on the celeb baby name thread. I do quite like Apple actually

Hulababy · 17/05/2004 14:14

I like Isaac I don't think it is that unusual either and have taught more than a couple in my 8 years at secondary schools.

I think it is rude to say to someone's face that you dislike their choice of name, and quite out of order.

binkie · 17/05/2004 14:14

metrobaby, I really like Roshan too - will he have it as a middle name?

marialuisa · 17/05/2004 14:28

i have a cousin called Isaac, I think it's a great name, not everyday but not so unusual he's going to be miserable at school.

DD has an unusual (in the UK) name and the "hilarious" comments and misspellings....

I like the idea of calling your MIL Doreen, to make your point.

Crunchie · 17/05/2004 14:32

Well I know someone called Ignatius Anthony and I have never thought it odd.

frogs · 17/05/2004 14:44

We've had this too, with dd2, who has a completely non-unusual but fairly classic name.

My in-laws liked dd1 and ds's name, but obviously aren't wild about dd2's name, as every time they phone, they ask dh: "So what are you calling her?' to which he replies, " Well ***, cos that's her name..."

busybee123 · 17/05/2004 14:46

I HATE my name.....Bryony URGH!!!! My children are called Max, Abigail and Ethan.......we have had loads of comments about Ethans name and why we picked one so odd, and then I get comments about 'why did you give him such a geeky middle name?!' well i'm sorry, but people really should think about commenting on names, as Ethan has my dads name, Kevin as his middle name. My dad died when i was 13 so its the only thing I have left to give my dad....RANT RANT!!!! Issac is a lovely name, and at the end of the day, its you thats going to be on the doorstep shouting him to get in at night when he is older, not the inlaws!!! Stick to your guns. Everyone in our family hated the names we chose but have come round to them now....at the end of the day...what choice have they got?

CountessDracula · 17/05/2004 14:49

Ignatius v cool name IMO. Iggy.

dinosaur · 17/05/2004 15:00

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

KateandtheGirls · 17/05/2004 15:41

I would be fuming of my MIL said something like that. I do like the idea of calling her Doreen though!
My daughter is Fiona and for some reason my MIL insists on calling her "Noni". I have no idea where she got it from. No-one else shortens her name like that. The rest of us call her Fi or Fifi. I haven't broached the subject with her though. I'm hoping she'll stop when Fiona gets a little older.

KateandtheGirls · 17/05/2004 15:42

fuming IF, I meant.

serenequeen · 17/05/2004 15:43

ignatius, veeerrry catholic, jesuit in fact... have you read "a confederacy of dunces".

coddycodcod · 17/05/2004 15:44

Ignatius is a hilarious name IMO!
imagine shouting that across the playgorund when he was naughty. or maybe he wouldnt br told off r ever!

someone near here has a Max she calls maximilaian when he is bad,

has me in silent mirth every time

busybee123 · 17/05/2004 16:02

i call my max maxwell or maximilian when he is naughty as well!!! even though he just has max on his birth certificate!! poor thing cringes like mad!!!

Tinker · 17/05/2004 16:08

Ignatius and Aloysious (sp?) were 2 of the names that the boys in my class all picked as confirmation names - for the 'not taking it seriously' factor

MrsDoolittle · 17/05/2004 16:12

For what its worth, I think Isaac is a lovely name too

littlemissbossy · 17/05/2004 16:30

Isaac's a lovely name, and IME not that unusual, I know two others! If people make rude comments just say something like "it's ok, TBH it comes as no surprise that you don't like the name Isaac, after all it means "laughter" and as you have no sense of humour ..."

Davros · 17/05/2004 16:37

Ignatius is quite usual as a confirmation name but how about Benignus? I knew someone who had that as his confirmation name and we used to call him Benny to annoy him

Oh, and my aunt's Maria Assumpta

Love from Doreenx (NOT!)

Tommy · 17/05/2004 17:10

When my nephew was named Jacob my (church going, Catholic all her life) Grandmother said "Where did they find that name?".....there's no pleasing some people!
BTW Isaac was on our shortlist for DS2!
Metrobaby - I think (especially with the day I'm having) I would tell MIL to shove Ben up her and she'll call your son the name you've given him!

gscrym · 17/05/2004 17:14

Tell your MIL that if she wants to call someone Ben then why didn't she name one of her children that.
Isaac is a lovely name. If she wants a say in a childs name then tell her to go have another one.

Quatermass · 17/05/2004 17:24

A friend recently named her dd something a little strange. Not on any names list anywhere, and when you look at it written down you could never guess the pronunciation. I smiled, said oh how lovely, made sure I knew how to pronounce it right, and thats that. We'll all get used to it and I'm sure the child will love her unusual name. Dh has a wierd name (don't know anyone else with it, no one can ever pronounce it) and he loves it.

And as everyone says, Isaac isn't even unusual. When you think of the Biblical names you could have picked. Abednego, Issachar, Eliphelet ...

(and if anyone has used or is thinking of using any of those, all I can say is, Oh how lovely)

eefs · 17/05/2004 17:25

Metrobaby - your MIL's reaction is a bit mad isn't it! It really made me laugh - reminds me of a monty pyton sketch.

DS2's name is really unusual and we were nervous about using it - but as we both loved it we went ahead - I can't believe how rude some people have been about it though it's none of their bloody business!

I love the idea of calling your MIL a random different name everytime she call's your DS Ben (noeleen / fennella / concepta / agnes / etc you could work through the alphabet)