Bear

[DoctorBambino]

Fully prepared for this one to get pulled apart. Me and DH love the name Bear but know it's a bit out there.

We really don't like names like Edward which Bear comes from, just Bear itself.

What do people think?

I love it.

Awful. And why would you copy a celebrity, it’s just cringe.

I love it, it’s a gorgeous name

My friend just named her second ds Teddy.

Bear is just as awful.

You're naming a person not a soft toy.

Bear also sounds the same as bare as in bare arse.

I like it for a baby, but no way would I use it. I don’t like it for a teenage boy or adult - seems to fit that category of names parents choose without thinking that they are saddling their child with a ‘label’ for life.

I'm a fan of unusual names and most of my names would be shredded on MN, but honestly, I really really dislike Bear. To me it's silly and babyish and just not a nice word really. Connotations of either an actual dangerous animal or carrying a heavy load. It's a lifetime of 'what? bear? Is that your actual name?' Also I can't think of the word without calling to mind my midwife telling me to 'bear down like you're doing a giant poo!' Etc.

It's purely a personal decision though, it's your baby. I am sorry, as I hate when names are pulled apart on here but Bear is truly one of the worst out there I think

Sorry, but it's bad. Couldn't you choose a real name and use Bear as a nickname?

I know a child called bear, I feel sorry for him every time I hear it

It's awful. Sorry.

Would your husband like to be called Bear? (That sounds sarky, not intended that way, just a question worth thinking about)

This is my DD's nickname (from a childhood passion for a TV show) but I think I am the only one who uses it now, tho some of her friends used to I think. I always wonder if people hear me occasionally calling her it in shops (I usually use her actual name, which btw is nothing whatever like Bear) and think that is her name She is 20 btw.

I really wouldn't call a child Bear as their given name OP. My own internal reaction as described above when I call DD Bear in public should tell its own story. Could you really call "Bear! time to go home now!" across the playground?

Just give your child a proper name and nick name bear, very cruel otherwise

I should add before you all think I am verbally abusing DD, I have asked her and she is happy for me to use Bear - it's sort of a cosy hometime hot choc in front of the TV name, used mostly only then.

Have mercy on that poor baby :( it's awful

No. Your hormones are doing the thinking here.
(And I speak as someone who pondered equally daft names, Rocket and Rainbow, when pregnant).

I never comment on these threads, but honestly I think the Scandinavian way is best: a set number of names that a baby can be called to avoid saddling a child with such a ridiculous non-name.

I take it you didn't read the thread recently where a girl wanted desperately to change her name from that given to her by her mother? Don't be that mum.

Would you call a child Lego? Jigsaw? Tonka truck?

It doesn't say that you're cool, or different, it says that you're a bellend. Think about your child, who will one day be an adult.

I'm sorry, I know that's harsh. But I stand by it!

Sorry but I've heard several mothers shouting at their children named Bear when out and about, and I cringe more each time I hear it.

My dog is called Bear
Not keen on it for a child though.

@iloveicelollies

I love it.

But Why?! For a human, an actual human, who has to go out into the world as an independent being??

Use it as a nickname. Give him a proper name.

That said, I wanted to use Wulfric and Dh vetoed it. DS is gutted that he isn't Wolfie and has a far more mainstream name. And his brother agrees. (Might feel very differently if he'd grown up with it and been teased though...)

DC had a friend at nursery called Bear, but his given name was Edward. It’s cute as a nickname, but.

I wanted to call my dog it and got enough flack for that..