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Baby names

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

my child's name

41 replies

Lilyannarose · 04/07/2019 12:28

He's eight now and loves his name. I do too.
However I still get lots of negative comments about it.
It's nothing too out there (I know a few boys with the same name of varying ages), but it is (so I have been told) a classic "chav" name (I wasn't aware of this when I named him as never entered on to these forums at that time).
My older 3 children all have very traditional old English names, but with my 4th I just fell in love with this particular name (and still love it now).
I had so many negative responses that I was on the verge of changing it when he was a baby to something more traditional (I'm glad I didn't as he would have been one of four in his class!).
Even now I have a slight wavery moment when telling someone his name. I think because I had so many negative responses when I told people his name as a baby. Some (mostly older generation) would openly scoff and say "What sort of a name is that?"
One even said it sounded like a take-away dish which had never occurred to me before.
The main thing is that my son loves it. It suits him perfectly.
He has SEN (non verbal) and the bonus is that he learnt his name very quickly as it's a short name.
Did I do the right thing in not changing it? I do still like it despite the negativity and couldn't imagine him being called anything else.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thedevilcamefromthehimber · 04/07/2019 12:28

What's his name?

Aquilla · 04/07/2019 12:30

Is it Alfie? Who cares what other people think though, really.

Everythingmagnolia · 04/07/2019 12:30

What is the name? If you love and and he does too then try not to woody what other people think

thelonearranger · 04/07/2019 12:31

I think if you love his name then don’t care what others think.

Lilyannarose · 04/07/2019 12:31

It's (I hardly dare say it) Kai.

OP posts:
thelonearranger · 04/07/2019 12:37

I love the name Kai. I had a feeling it was Kai too. It’s a lovely sounding name and it’s short and easy to spell. Ignore the chav comments

Cloudofsparrows · 04/07/2019 12:40

Hawaiian meaning 'sea' I think it's a lovely name. When people know your son then they will just think of him when they think of the name not anything negative.

sneakypinky · 04/07/2019 12:40

You're always going to get people who either love it or hate it.

MardyMavis · 04/07/2019 12:42

I knew you would say kai I wouldn't worry kayden has taken over from that a long time ago.

DickZillaofTheVilla · 04/07/2019 12:45

Kai is not liked on Mumsnet but honestly just ignore any comments it’s not like you called him Balonz

Pinkprincess1978 · 04/07/2019 12:45

I've heard worse names tbh. So long as you and your son love the name that is what matters.

If people dare to say anything negative then call them out on it. 'Did you mean to be so rude?' 'Well I'm no so fond of Judith* but I wouldn't be so rude as to say so to your face' etc

*use whatever they are called.

While I might quietly judge a name - or openly with friends I would never tell the mum, dad or their child as there is no need.

NavyBerry · 04/07/2019 12:45

Have you read your son this book? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheSnoww_Queen

I think it is a lovely name and not chav at all!

Pinkprincess1978 · 04/07/2019 12:47

Oops, bold fail there 😂

BowiesJumper · 04/07/2019 12:50

I like Kai! It's more of a hippy/cool name. Who cares what other people think? Your son is beautiful, as is his name.

Meltedicicle · 04/07/2019 12:52

It’s a lovely name, wouldn’t cross my mind as ‘chavvy’ at all.

FannyFeatures · 04/07/2019 13:02

I know quite a few Kai's and much prefer it to traditional names, you can't please everyone so you went with what you loved and that's what matters!

Don't get hung up on comments made long ago, people quickly forget any negative association when they get to meet and know someone they like/love. As for anyone commenting now, they're not worth the headspace.

My son has a classic "chav"/"naughty" name according to most forums and it seemed to have a popularity boost when he was born so he's one of several in his class but I still love it :)

Monkeytapper · 04/07/2019 13:11

If you like it and your son is used to it the ignore... Daniella Westbrooks son is called Kai and I think Coleen Rooney son is called Kai so maybe that's where the 'chav' comments are coming from x

Puppilongstrumpf · 04/07/2019 13:28

How boring if we all liked the same names!

Bellatrix14 · 04/07/2019 13:37

Offering someone your opinion on a name if asked is fine, in my opinion. Even if you don’t like it. Criticising a name someone has already given to their child is horrible!

If it’s any consolation to you, I teach, and the only Kai I’ve ever taught is lovely!

elliandher5 · 04/07/2019 13:41

I love it! Almost used it for DS3 but we went for Brodie in the end. Who gives a bloody damn what people think - particularly people who are jammed 2ft up their own arses.

Fatkins · 04/07/2019 14:08

There's nothing wrong with Kai! I thought you were going to say something dreadful, based on your op. It's totally fine - you did the right thing by not changing it Smile.

Nesssie · 04/07/2019 14:55

I like Kai!

ReganSomerset · 04/07/2019 15:04

It's a lovely name. Don't worry about others. DD has a MN-approved name but most people irl don't seem to like it much. They tactfully say 'that's unusual' or don't comment. Particularly the older generation of random-whose-opinion-I-did-not-seek. You can't please all of the people all of the time, OP, don't bother trying.

bridgetreilly · 04/07/2019 15:29

If you like it and he likes it, how is this even a question? Obviously you shouldn't have changed it.

Clownfish123 · 04/07/2019 17:18

It's a great name with a great meaning. Will be cool on a teen too. Don't give it another thought Smile