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Baby names

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

Genuinely problematic names

137 replies

AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 11:50

Starting this thread for names which are genuinely problematic.
The purpose is, a quick reference for people to check is the name they are thinking of on the list, and also as a reference for justifiable reasons to advise against using a name.
To be included, there needs to already be a thread on the name, where the case against it was made clearly.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Starcaller · 14/11/2021 11:51

Balonz

AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 11:53

Lolita
Reason - most people associate this with the character in the book by Nabokov, about a paedophile. The character Lolita is his victim.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/3070086-Lolita?msgid=72904562#72904562

OP posts:
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 11:58

Enola
Reason - this very uncommon name was made famous when the pilot of the plane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima decided to name the plane after his mother, Enola Gay. A catchy pop song by the band Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark, about the plane, is well-known in the UK.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4035484-enola-for-dd

OP posts:
toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 12:09

Adolf.

AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 12:18

Myra

This spelling and the pronunciation like the English word "my" is widely considered unusable in the UK. It was not a particularly common name and most people associate with Myra Hindley, a notorious serial killer.
The similar names Moira, Meera, Meira, Mara, and Maura are all fine to use.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4356822-Myra

OP posts:
FlickerBeat · 14/11/2021 12:19

Isis

SingleHandSue · 14/11/2021 12:21

Michael, if your surname is Hunt.

bluejelly · 14/11/2021 12:25
Grin
WakeUpLockie · 14/11/2021 12:27

[quote AuntDympna]Myra

This spelling and the pronunciation like the English word "my" is widely considered unusable in the UK. It was not a particularly common name and most people associate with Myra Hindley, a notorious serial killer.
The similar names Moira, Meera, Meira, Mara, and Maura are all fine to use.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/4356822-Myra[/quote]
Fred and Rose too then? I definitely see the point in this thread but is it only for unusually named awful people, because otherwise there are lots of Freds and Roses to dilute the connection?

Hardybloodyhar · 14/11/2021 12:36

@SingleHandSue

Michael, if your surname is Hunt.
Or Eric. Unless you are very opposed to Brazillian wax, and want to make a statement using your child's name.
Hardybloodyhar · 14/11/2021 12:37

If the duck didn't already do it, the name Donald is officially dead to the world.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/11/2021 12:41

@FlickerBeat

Isis
I wanted dd to be ISIS. Fortunately for her, dh is a bit more politically aware than me, and she is not called Isis. She is 10. To be fair to me, I’m not sure my mind eas on emerging terrorist groups in the Middle East11 years ago when I was expecting DD.
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/11/2021 12:42

@Hardybloodyhar

If the duck didn't already do it, the name Donald is officially dead to the world.
I have a lovely colleague called Donald. 50s, yonger than the duck.
toastofthetown · 14/11/2021 12:44

Potentially Enoch. It’s unusable for me, but I have seen more interest in it over the last few years.

SlamLikeAGuitar · 14/11/2021 12:50

Lana.

I’m dyslexic, and all I see when I see it written down is “anal” Blush
Lovely name to say, horrendous to read Blush

LaBellina · 14/11/2021 12:52

Dick

FlickerBeat · 14/11/2021 12:53

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

It really is a nice name. Such a shame.

Starseeking · 14/11/2021 13:04

@SingleHandSue

Michael, if your surname is Hunt.

I used to work with one. He was ALWAYS Michael.

MissMarplesGoddaughter · 14/11/2021 13:06

Percy

AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:14

When you suggest a name, please can you put the name by itself, then the reason, and then a link to the thread that it was discussed under.

The reasons why Fred and Rose are still acceptable, while Myra isn't, are discussed on the Myra thread.

My feeling is that Donald is not unusable, although perhaps it should have a caution attached to it.

I don't think Lana or Dick are bad enough to warrant inclusion.

OP posts:
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:16

Enoch

Connected to Enoch Powell, a politician who made a notoriously racist speech.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2547163-Enoch

OP posts:
AuntDympna · 14/11/2021 13:22

Isis doesn't actually have a thread explaining that it is currently the name of a terrorist organisation, only this thread assuming that everyone knows that already:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/baby_names/2610244-Isis

OP posts:
Courtier · 14/11/2021 16:51

Gaylord.

Courtier · 14/11/2021 16:51

Oops sorry didn't have a link

Synchrony · 14/11/2021 16:59

Candida
Because it's a fungal disease

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