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Original poster

Can we call our baby boy this with our surname?

27 replies

Blursula · 16/02/2020 19:46

First time posting.

We love the name Gabriel, and assume it will definitely get shortened to Gabe (at school/by friends if not by us - even though I do prefer Gabriel).

However, our surname starts with a B, so said out loud as a full name and Gabe gets lost - it just sounds like Gay (think Gabe Brown). Part of me thinks this is bound to invite teasing, while the other wonders if I'm over thinking it. Thoughts?

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BestBeforeYesterday · 16/02/2020 19:51

Are people really going to use a nickname followed by a surname? Isn't it usually the full name followed by the surname?
I think you're overthinking it a bit.

Rachelhaydenberk1 · 16/02/2020 19:52

People wont regularly say the first and last name together and when they do they will probably say with Gabriel so I think it's fine! Even if they do say Gabe Brown, I think the two bs force a more precise annunciation. If someone says it fast they may hear Gay but I think everyone will know its Gabe. If someone bullies him over this, that is real violation as well so would get in serious trouble so it's one of those someone may think in their head but would be foolish to say it out loud! I wouldn't over think it! I think its nice!!

SalmonOfKnowledge · 16/02/2020 19:54

Gay Byrne Irish TV presenter got through it.

Tbh though I wouldnt pick it.

Whatsyourflava · 16/02/2020 19:56

I think it’s absolutely fine and think you’re looking too much into this

Gabriel is a lovely name

Thislittlepiggywentto · 16/02/2020 19:58

I do get what you're saying about it changing the sound because of the surname. The fact that its the word gay is irrelevant but I do see what you mean as we had the very same issue and had to veto a name because of the way it went with the surname.

Original poster
Blursula · 16/02/2020 20:13

Thanks all! That's really helpful to hear. Think I've said it so much to myself that I can't look at it objectively anymore...

OP posts:
georgialondon · 16/02/2020 20:28

To be honest I think school kids are much more likely to nickname him Gay rather than Gabe anyway. That's kids.

Biancadelrioisback · 16/02/2020 20:35

I'm 30 and have a nickname which completely subs my real name. My work email signature, desk plate, email address etc is all with my NN followed by surname.
Just be aware that there are many occasions (if he chooses to be called by his nickname full time) where people will see, read, hear and use the NN followed by surname.

Hepsibar · 16/02/2020 20:42

I think Gabriel is lovely and I also think Gabe "Brown" wouldnt necessarily be thought of as Gay Brown.

I know 2 young lads who are Gabriel's who like to be called Gabe ...

LynetteScavo · 16/02/2020 20:57

If a Gabriel is going to be called gay, he's going to be called gay whatever his surname, but gay isn't used as an insult by kids these days like it was a few years ago.

goldpoppy · 16/02/2020 21:01

Yes you can - I did Grin We thought of every possible permutation before we settled on Gabriel B..... for our DS. We only ever refer to him as Gabriel, but a couple of friends/family members have started shortening it to Gabes. No one has called him Gabe yet, although I realise it might happen when he goes to school. I did worry a bit about the ‘Gay’ thing, but we spoke to a colleague of DH’s whose teenage son is a Gabriel and he loves his name and has never been nicknamed Gay. It’s a lovely name, I’m so glad we used it for DS, I can’t imagine him being called anything else.

SW16 · 16/02/2020 21:42

I wouldn’t use a name where the words run into each other awkwardly like that anyway.

The ‘gay’ thing will come and go, yr 5, Yr 7... but that doesn’t have to mean actual bullying, just stupid comments.

TatianaLarina · 16/02/2020 21:56

Gabriel is gorgeous. Your concern about the surname is just worrying about nothing.

Whynosnowyet · 16/02/2020 21:59

My Gabriel has never been Gabe in 20 years...

Tombakersscarf · 16/02/2020 22:01

Gay Byrne (late Irish TV presenter) managed even with that particular shortening of Gabriel (and a middle name of Mary!)

Jossina · 16/02/2020 23:50

Think it sounds fine. Gabe or Gabriel with a B surname.

MikeUniformMike · 17/02/2020 08:13

No

Bitchbadgerplease · 17/02/2020 12:27

I'd say no. 'Hey Gabe! GABE!! GABE 'BROWN'... Hey Haha that sounds like gay brown! Haha he's gay brown! Ha!' I can envision that from kids.

CoalCraft · 17/02/2020 13:04

I'm afraid depending on where you are you may find Gabriel gets shortened to Gay, regardless of surname. Gabriel is a lovely name though!

Frothybothie · 17/02/2020 13:07

If your surname is Bird - dont call him Robin ... or Richard (Dicky) like two lads dh knew.

bloated1977 · 17/02/2020 13:09

A boy at my DS school is called Gabriel and he's either called, Gay or Bender Boy according to my DS. He's in year 9 now and the name calling hasn't changed unfortunately.

mumonthehill · 17/02/2020 13:14

I have a Gabriel, everyone calls him Gabe, including teachers. No one has ever called him Gay. Never crossed my mind they might.

Omashu · 17/02/2020 15:20

I'd say no. 'Hey Gabe! GABE!! GABE 'BROWN'... Hey Haha that sounds like gay brown! Haha he's gay brown! Ha!' I can envision that from kids.

Even if this did happen, so what? He’ll get over it!

BeyondMyWits · 17/02/2020 15:25

My cousin Gabriel is known by everyone as Angel - or Aynge despite attempts to shorten to Gabe. Doesn't help he was a Christmas baby...

He doesn't much care.

Bitchbadgerplease · 18/02/2020 10:17

omashu true he will. But it may be acfer years of self torture about why he has a name people make fun of and feeling he's different and having no confidence not that I'm speaking from personal experience at all Wink