Not even pregnant yet so kind of a non issue but....

[Waiting2BAMummy]

I’m actively TTC and was talking baby names with my sister last night and gave her my list of top girls and boys names.

It’s funny because I always said I’d never tell anyone my names until it was finally decided and baby was here and named as people always give you their opinion if you tell them before but most people won’t say anything if you tell them once baby is here and named.

So very high on my list for a girl is the name India and I would call her Indie for short. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea and there will be people who just don’t like the name I expected that.

My sister however said but what if she gets comments about racism?? I was floored and have absolutely no idea where she’s going with this.... thoughts please?

Being seen as racist for calling your dd India would be extreme and pretty improbable. If you prefer the name Indie I would just go with that.

I think Katie Hopkins daughter is called India?

Reminds me of this, KH arguing she doesn’t like geographical names when her daughter is named India.
I do know an Indie but her name is Indira rather than India.

My best friends daughter is called India. This has never been an issue.

India has been used as a name here for a long time, it’s very unlikely anyone would make comments about racism. If you like it, use it. But also - don’t tell people your name choice until baby is here! People will always comment!

@Blankblankblank I love that video. Silly woman she is.

How about just going with Indie rather than India being shorten to Indie?

I think it’s because of the associations with colonialism.

Your sister is right. It’s the colonial associations that are very offputting. Would you call your DD Kenya or Ghana or Rhodesia or Pakistan?

Eh - no of course not racism! I'm not really a fan of place names/the name indie but it's fine. Indira also very lovely.

Kenya is indeed a girl's name.

Don't mention baby names to people though! Just present the baby with tht name.

I love the name India.

Don’t discuss baby names when you get pregnant is the easiest option!

Geographical names are not that uncommon - Florence, London, Dallas, India. I think Quincy Jones has a daughter Kenya? Paris Hilton. Brooklyn Beckham. Orlando Bloom.

Names borrowed from other cultures like Bodhi aren't too uncommon either.

Actually people make a good point re colonial associations and the name India.

Indigo?
Ingrid?

Oh gosh it's not offensive- who would be offended by it as a name?

I love the name India and the nn Indie is gorgeous. I don't think there is any issue with calling your daughter this name.
Go for it! It's lovely :)

I prefer Indie.

Thanks Ladies 🙂

It might not be widely considered offensive now (although some people dislike the associations and I find it too colonial personally) but a child born today has a good chance of living for 100 years. The minority who find the name offensive could easily become the majority in 10–20 years. For this reason I wouldn’t use it. The fact that Katie Hopkins has used it would make me worry more, to be honest.

Yeh it's the colonial connotations that are off putting, some people would find it offensive (assuming you're white british I suppose?) And I think it makes people who would use it seem quite ignorant unfortunately because of that.. sorry.

I'm more amazed at the fact that you're telling everyone you're TTC. Is that common place. Is nothing private anymore. Maybe I'm an odd ball, though.

I didn’t at first @Awwlookatmybabyspider but have been trying now for almost two years and am needing some interventions so yes I have shared with my sister for moral support if that’s ok with you?!

telling your sister isn't an odd thing.
Weird to come on a baby name board and judge others for discussing ttc with their family

Surely if India was such a controversial word the country would have renamed it. I like the name Georgia but that is probably also seen as controversial, and Victoria now surely that is the height of colonism

Thanks @LairTai

"It’s funny because I always said I’d never tell anyone my names until it was finally decided and baby was here and named as people always give you their opinion if you tell them before but most people won’t say anything if you tell them once baby is here and named."

Very sensible, why did you change your mind?

Just stop discussing names with your sister. It's a fun topic but not so fun if people are critical about your favourites!

I didn’t change my mind exactly @NameChange30 but it came up in conversation and I opened my mouth before engaging my brain.

Lesson learned.

@Awwlookatmybabyspider I very rarely comment on other people’s posts who aren’t OPs, however I can’t help myself with your comment - TTC for people like the OP (and anyone else for that matter) can be a very isolating and stressful time. Sharing that journey with those who care about you relieves a lot of the pressure and heartache that it can bring. It’s comments like this that keep some women from talking about an incredibly important journey and issue that they should have every right to discuss in the open without fear of judgement.

@Waiting2BAMummy keep wishing and hypothesising if that is what helps you in this journey. Wishing you all the luck in the world 💐

Thank you so much @Bobblehatwobble

India is controversial as the name of a British child since Britain committed so many atrocities there. Of course it’s not controversial as a country name.

India is a lovely name how silly ! I know lots of India’s nobody has anything negative to say it IS very popular though although I have a jack and the popularity never bothered me I love his name x hope you get your good news soon :) x