Sibling doesn’t like baby’s name - torn!!

[notactuallylolling]

I know this annoys people when the OP doesn’t give specifics but I don’t want everyone to get distracted commenting on the actual name…

We just had a baby girl and picked a name that is pronounced differently in English and in Spanish. OH is Spanish so we opted for his pronunciation. Conscious that this will bring a challenge of telling everyone how to say it but hopefully people will just accept that. It’s not a strange or unique name, at the same time it’s not too popular but it’s nice and simple and I like it. Im not madly in love with it though and that’s probably why I’m torn. Saying that I don’t have another name that I’d prefer….

So we decided to ‘try out’ the name for a couple of days and ended up telling some people (mostly positive reactions). However yesterday her big brother said he really doesn’t like the name and got upset and said he wants us to change it. This really upset me in turn as I have been nervous about how other people would react to her name. Again there isn’t anything weird about it but I’m tired and emotional which won’t be helping!

So to get to the point…..the reason for my post is this….should I just keep the name and a) hope that DS (7) just gets used to it and b) accept that not everyone will take to it immediately/ know how to say it?

Should I consider changing the name? If I change it I will end up picking something that’s just ‘easy’ for everyone to like and say.

Sorry for the ramble but my heads a bit of a mess at the moment!!! X

7 year olds change their mind all the time about things they like and don't like.

Is it possible he is nervous about the babys arrival and is just saying he doesn't like it

You'll be fine OP, it'll be fine OP, just give people the correct Spanish pronunciation when you introduce your daughter, if they need a reference say as in Eva Peron. Sounds much nicer pronounced the correct Spanish way as it would being Spanish name, as others have pointed out the correct English version is actually Eve, so those using Eva and pronouncing it in an English way are actually mangling it, dread to think what monstrosity they'd come up with for Juanita.

Why does ds not like the name?
Just being a kid? Will he love it next week?
Class bully with the same name?
I guess that might influence my thoughts.

Eva pronounced the spanish way is nice but the name is very overused at the moment.

Up to you if you want to use it. There are plenty of lovely names that work in Spanish and English.

@BronwenFrideswide - Thankyou! Stupidly I wasn’t worried at all about the boys name I was set on (Javier) - go figure!

Update - DS has seemingly moved on and is fine with the name. I think this is just a case of me overthinking/ being exhausted and emotional / his being upset at the end of term (always happens) and new baby arriving - all just a bit too much! Thanks for all the advice though!!! Xx

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

It's pretty bonkers to live in the U.K. and deliberately pick a name that will be pronounced wrong all the time...do you think that's fair to her?

This forum has taught me there are still areas of the country where people must know no-one but English people.

I know an Eva, pronounced "Ey-va" who has German parents. As far as in know pronunciation has never been an issue - most people hear a name before they see it written down.

Glad it's all worked out, OP.

Bizarrre isn't it TatianiaBis, why wouldn't a child with a Spanish parent have a Spanish name pronounced the Spanish way just because they live in England? Should all foreigners who live here start pronouncing their names in some weird English way? Strange attitude.

@BronwenFrideswide

Glad it's all worked out, OP.

Bizarrre isn't it TatianiaBis, why wouldn't a child with a Spanish parent have a Spanish name pronounced the Spanish way just because they live in England? Should all foreigners who live here start pronouncing their names in some weird English way? Strange attitude.

When I taught ESOL, my name was pronounced in many different ways by my students. I didn’t feel the need to force them to pronounce it the English way.

My Dsd didn't like our son's name to begin with but we told her we love it and when he was born she accepted it and now loves it, its his name. We never would have changed it, unless it was because she couldn't pronounce it or something. But I wouldn't stick with a name you don't love and are going to have to correct all the time.

Congratulations on the birth of your new daughter OP, a very best wishes for your family’s future

Love the name Eva with Spanish (also German, Dutch and several other languages) pronunciation. It's beautiful! Most people will hear it before saying it and pronounce accordingly. Glad the issue has resolved itself!

I thought it would be Eva. We have two Eva's at my volunteer work. One of each pronunciation (Ev-ah is Polish). She gets called the right name 90% of the time, 5% wrong and corrected and 5% people only see the name badge and dont know better.

He can fond her a nickname.

Beautiful, simple, elegant. People will learn how to say it. Although you'll get occasional batshit pronunciation and/or spelling, it's amazing how many ways even a three letter name can be got wrong.