Does my son have an awful name?

[tabithamay]

I’ve done a similar thread on Nameberry but wanted other people’s opinions. I have a 17-year-old DS who’s started his second year at college, and we chose Ernest Leopold as a first and middle, after my DH’s great-grandfather. Recently, he’s become very aware of it as people are telling him how ugly/old-fashioned/frumpy/strange it is. What do you think?

It's a very grand name, but I think it would great on a CV tbh - it has a good flavour to it, and seems like it would belong to someone in a "highclass" job :)

I think he should totally “own” his name. This is a good lesson in resilience and respect

That 100x.
It coud be anything else than his name.

Talkwhilstyouwalk
Good solid classic name! He'll thank you for it later!

Agreed!

I think especially because he loves the Victorian and Edwardian period, he went to the local cemetery and found his great-great grandfather, born in 1885, who he was named after, and that was quite special for him I think. He’s quite an anxious, sensitive child, so comments do get to him.

I’ve always loved the name Ernest. Ernie I like too and it isn’t an unusual name. Leo is totally normal.

If kids want to be mean they’ll always find something. At least he can blame it on you.

It’s a great name!

I remember as a teen wishing my name was something else. Looking back the names I would chosen, were horrible!

Really, no-one cares and in the big scheme of things it really doesn't matter. I can't understand why everyone makes such a big thing of names. No one will know the middle name unless he goes around telling people. Ern or Ernie or Leo are absolutely fine for day to day life. Some pillocks will make fun of any name if they're that way inclined - just another form of bullying. If he's calling himself Ernest, then yes, not too good, but he could have started college as Ern or Leo and no one would have batted an eyelid. He needs to see college out, and then think about a new day to day name for uni or work, use it from day 1, problem solved.

At least its a proper name and not a group of letters strung together by some hipster parents to create something yooo-neek, that no-one can ever pronounce or spell.

Exactly!

Though if he really hates it - he is legally entitled to call himself anything he wants to, as long as he isn't intending to commit fraud.

If he wants to be Jake, or Sam or whatever - let him. But I bet he'll go back to Ernie or Leo when those very popular names become stale.

FWIW - I detest my name - old enough to be boring, not old enough to be fashionable, not traditional as such - just dated and totally shite. I wish I had the courage to change it, but at the advanced age of 65, I think it's a bit too late.

OP, my son is Moses is a class full of Alfie’s and jacks. I feel your struggle! Kids could make fun of water if they wanted.

Be proud of his name, i bet he’ll grow to love it one day. In regard to his pass, if it makes him self conscious could he use a safety pin to clip in name side to his shirt?

Funnily enough, when he goes into Starbucks, they still spell it wrong on the cup. Last week someone wrote ‘Urnest’, and he thought it was hilarious.

I’ve done a similar thread on Nameberry but wanted other people’s opinions

And what are you going to actually do about all these opinions you are gathering?

If a majority say "yeah it's not great", you'll just feel shit, but your son will still have that name.

I wouldn't choose those names as they feel a bit try-hard, but I'm not you and your son isn't mine, so really, you can just disregard my opinion entirely!

Ernest

weareernest.com/

Very trendy little cafe-bar in the hister end of Newcastle.

This sort of name is cutting edge - he just needs the facial hair and hair cut!

I think it's more that both names were printed on the id card. Such an pity but would probably have happened to anyone with both names printed even if they weren't such unusual names. Get that changed and then help him laugh it off.
Unfortunately the damage may already be done. They aren't likely to forget now but hopefully it'll wear off if he doesn't react negatively to the teasing. If he makes a thing of it or shows he's bothered by it, they are more likely to continue.

I’m surprised that he is only questioning his name now at the age of 17, and you for that matter, 17 years after naming him.

Yes it is unusual and old-fashioned. I’ve never met a real life one myself although funnily enough I have just reread The Importance of Being Earnest.

Let's hope this poor lad's mates' mums don't use MN. He'll be teased even more.

tabithamay
I've got a teenage Bertie (Bertram). Perhaps they could team up (Bert & Ernie)
Seriously, I really like the name choices.
Maybe your son will feel differently about his name in the future. Once his college mates realise that the world is a big place and sometimes people have different names they'll get used to it and he'll just be 'Ernie' to them.
Hope that day comes soon

I love his name!

I have a William and we call him Wilbur.

it's not a name I would had saddled my child with, I'm afraid. But then I'm not a fan of all the very old-fashioned names that are so beloved on MN - Olive, Joan, Arthur etc.

It’s really not great for a teenager.

This is why you really have to think how the name will travel through life......

The really awful names coming out on Mumsnet are horrific. Would YOU want to be called Ernest Leopold?
It’s similar to Doris and I certainly would not want to be called Doris.

I think he should totally “own” his name. This is a good lesson in resilience and respect

That's all well and good when you've chosen it. But he didn't.

OP, I am sorry? I have been quite rude in this thread.

I have a DC who has a ‘marmite’ name, and it has sometimes been really horribly described on MN.

What I can’t quite get from your post is whether your Ds liked his name or not?

In the end that is what counts, not what random MNers think, or even what you think.

I’ve gone off my own name, but I liked it as a child and teen.

I was part of the 'unique totally original name' trend back in the 90s - tell him to get a nickname. I go by Sam now. Leo would work well. Or change the first and middle names around. I'm not able to legally change mine as I have 3 passports and would have to change it in multiple countries as well (dual citizenships) so is too much hassle. Surprised he hasn't face issues yet, I was mocked throughout childhood for my name as difficult to spell and pronounce (1 person older than me with the name but when we went to register DD they looked it up on the system they found 7 entries for young kids - all are male while I'm female, I feel bad for anybody with it).

I feel for him. I refused to give DS any family names: I wanted him to have names that were chosen just for him. I was also quite careful to choose names that would not be a burden in any sense: I've been in teaching a long time and kids can be cruel. They don't need any more ammunition!

If he dislikes his name, he could perhaps change to using his middle name? Leo is definitely the easiest version of his two names to carry off. There's not really a way of saving Ernest from old man status!

Threewheeler1 that’s a brilliant name! He’s not teased by people in his class, because fortunately they all have ‘old’ names like Frank, Alice, Sarah, Ada, John, etc, but obviously some older names still fit with modern names. It’s often the ones who have really popular names that single him out.

His name is fab! You were way ahead of the times that's all! If a baby was born now and named this no one would bat an eyelid! Tell him to stand up for himself and tell these horrible boys, at least he hasn't got a really common boring name, how original to be named the same name as the other 100 plus boys in his year!