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Baby names

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

Can I call my baby boy Sioux?

89 replies

Keythorpe2017 · 13/01/2020 02:50

My husband is a big music fan and with all of these gender neutral names flying about I was wondering if it would be cruel to call our baby boy Sioux?

To me the name Sioux is strong and mascaline - worriors. But I'd like to get your opinions please.

🤔🙂

OP posts:
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Keythorpe2017 · 13/01/2020 02:53

Obviously we are aware of the song a boy named sue and that it's about a little boy being called sue on purpose, so he would become tough when picked on. But we are proposing Sioux not Sue... Make any difference?

OP posts:
Strawberryorangess · 13/01/2020 02:56

Pronounced Sue?

Keythorpe2017 · 13/01/2020 03:03

Hiya,

Yes it's would be pronounced the same as sue...

OP posts:
butwhateverfor · 13/01/2020 03:03

He won't thank you, that's for sure.

DPotter · 13/01/2020 03:04

You do realise that 'Sioux' and 'Sue' are pronounced the same ?

That most people will hear your son's name before they see it written down ?

That people will judge you ?

That 'Siouxie' from Siouxie and the Banshees is female?

That at the very least he will spend his life explaining that yes his parents were punk rockers and how to spell his name ?

There are many many strong masculine names with warrior meanings and connotations - please for the love of all you hold dear and holy - do not call your son 'Sioux'.

jjjnnnnnrrssss · 13/01/2020 03:08

Most baby names sites refer to Sioux as a feminine name, and it does sound the same as Sue. I'd avoid for that reason alone.

Keythorpe2017 · 13/01/2020 03:10

Isn't that what people would have said about boys names that are now used for girls though years ago...

Cameron, Andy, Dylan, Bobby, Tyler, Stevie etc...

I value your options but just playing with the gender rules and wondering where the line is drawn?

🙂

OP posts:
fallfallfall · 13/01/2020 03:14

would it not be odd calling him the name of a first nations tribe when i assume (mn uk) you probably have no first nations connections?
i'd find it inappropriate.

MashedSpud · 13/01/2020 03:15

Call him what you like. After a school load of bullying he can always change it when he’s 18.

PigletJohn · 13/01/2020 03:16

I wonder how old he will when he changes it to Fred or George or something.

Would you have wanted to grow up called Trixie Fairybell?

Wombatstew · 13/01/2020 03:17

I like the way it's written which looks strong and masculine but it still sound like Sue and so no I don't like it for a boy

snowqu33n · 13/01/2020 03:18

Surely this is a wind-up?
Also, cultural appropriation much?

DPotter · 13/01/2020 03:19

Sioux is way over the gender neutral line.

There are far fewer instances when traditionally female names are given to boys. Experimentation is fine - but you're experimenting with another person's life here, not your own. If your DH is keen - he could always change his name to Sioux.

If your looking for strong, warrior names (which you're not going to get from female names) and you like American tribal names - there's plenty to choose from - eg Apache, Cherokee, Navajo, although I think some of them were quite peace loving tribes.

stellabelle · 13/01/2020 03:21

It might seem unfair, and unacceptable, but calling a boy Souix ( ie Sue) is NOT the same as calling a girl Tyler or Charlie or whatever. It just isn't. Please stop thinking of reasons why this name would be OK, and just accept that your son will hate having a girls name.

This decision is actually about him, not about you. Keep that in mind and you can't go wrong.

vivaforever · 13/01/2020 03:21

In North America the name will be most strongly associated will be with the Indigenous group, not the artist. There are a lot of debates around Native American cultural appropriation which this name could bring up

HannaYeah · 13/01/2020 03:26

You can if you want to be a complete asshole.

Oakeyy · 13/01/2020 03:36

Imagine him hearing the Johnny Cash song... Sorry OP, Sue isn't a great name - for either gender.

nachthexe · 13/01/2020 03:37

It’s not cool and exotic to name a kid from Essex (or wherever) Sioux. It’s inappropriate and you pretty much bar him from travel to the US as an adult without getting him really weird looks/ beaten up in bars/ laughed at.
But really, you do you hun. (Don’t).

Lowbrow · 13/01/2020 03:40

So mean to give your child a name that will bring years of humiliation just because your husband is a music fan.

Walnutwhipster · 13/01/2020 03:43

You do know the first child to find a Susan meme will make your child's life a misery. No, just no. This has to be a piss take.

Spam88 · 13/01/2020 03:49

Cameron, Andy, Dylan, Bobby, Tyler, Stevie etc...

Are you in the US OP? I've never encountered a girl called any of those things in the U.K. (other than a female lab called stevie).

I don't think it's appropriate to use the name of a tribe unless you have links.

Zfw798 · 13/01/2020 03:51

Right, got my answer. Thanks everyone! 😁

Prevegen4U · 13/01/2020 03:58
HannaYeah · 13/01/2020 04:01

@Spam88

I’m in the US and have not met any women with those names. Only female Stevie I’ve heard of was Stevie Nicks. Crown Smile

misspiggy19 · 13/01/2020 04:07

Female Stevie is short for Stephanie.

Anyway a boy named Sue? This has to be a wind up. Why would you do that to your child?