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Baby names

Gang names or those that racially stereotype???

30 replies

sleepylion · 27/01/2008 11:47

Looking for help please!

My baby is due in a week and a half. I have got as far as a names shortlist. But some of the names get me wondering if they fit into some sort of specific racial zone, or even perhaps a gang zone.

This is a worry of mine, because I don't want my child to be pigeon hold in any way by having a particular name, or to risk being associated with bad circles. (rising gang crime is scary)

I live in Holland right now, but may move back to London some day. So I am a bit out of touch and want to make sure I make no mistakes.

Can I please have your feedback on the following names with regards to race/gangs of anything else I should be made aware of at all.

otis
dion
azul
silas
ezra

Thanks so much!

Loopy

OP posts:
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themildmanneredjanitor · 27/01/2008 11:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WanderingTrolley · 27/01/2008 11:55

You're wondering if the name you choose will inevitably lead to your child becoming a gang member?! That's taking nominative determinism a little too far.

OK, I can't have understood the question....

Call him Rupert or Tarquin or Piers.

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Trolleydolly71 · 27/01/2008 11:56

Message withdrawn

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SpawnChorus · 27/01/2008 11:57

Don't know about any of the gang stuff, but I love the name Silas.

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notjustmom · 27/01/2008 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trolleydolly71 · 27/01/2008 13:03

Message withdrawn

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BigmummaL · 27/01/2008 17:41

My Son is called Dion and it suits him down to the ground!

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LynetteScavo · 27/01/2008 17:47

The only Otis's I have come across have been white, middle / upper middle class.

Aparently in the US it's a very common black name.

I Dion Welsh?

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policywonk · 27/01/2008 17:48

I wanted to call DS2 Otis, but when I was pregnant with him Bryan Ferry's son (Otis Ferry) was busy making an arse of himself campaigning in favour of fox-hunting, so we decided that that was a negative connotation too far. However, that was a few years ago and happily he seems to have returned to well-funded obscurity.

Other than that, I don't think anyone perceives 'Otis' badly. (We called DS2 'Curtis' in the end and I think that sets more alarm bells ringing than 'Otis'.)

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hatrick · 27/01/2008 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NappyValley · 27/01/2008 19:44

I wouldn't worry as if they join a gang they might make up their own name. Maybe by the time our little ones get to that point hoodie names will be peter paul and mary!!

But I do understand what you are asking. Otis makes me think of a cartoon character but I can't quite remember which one.

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morgymoo182 · 30/01/2008 17:19

NappyValley - Otis the Aardvark? I've no idea where that comes from but it's what sticks in my mind?

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MaryAnnSingleton · 30/01/2008 17:22

I like Otis

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Rosbo · 30/01/2008 19:36

Ezra is a gorgeous name, my friend who recently had a baby named her son Ezra John x

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MrsMattie · 31/01/2008 14:29

I am totally confused by the OP.

Are you on the run from the Crips or something?

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donnie · 31/01/2008 14:33

50 cent or snoop dogg are good non gangsta names.Very wholesome sounding IMO.

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Troutpout · 31/01/2008 14:36

Is this a wind up?...a very funny one?


How about Keith
or Brian

you know where you are with Keith and Brian

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donnie · 31/01/2008 14:38

yes, I wanted to call my son benny but was worried people might think he was either a knitted cap wearing simpleton or a weird spangly pianist from sweden.

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TheDevilWearsPrimark · 31/01/2008 14:38

Akon

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beeper · 31/01/2008 18:02

Why not just name your child what you like and don't let him roam the streets!

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beeper · 31/01/2008 18:04

lol donnie - where I am from benny from crossroads has become urban slang for doing something stupid like 'oh dont do a benny'

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beeper · 31/01/2008 18:04

lol donnie - where I am from benny from crossroads has become urban slang for doing something stupid like 'oh dont do a benny'

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bossykate · 31/01/2008 18:05

no troutpout he might grow up to be a member of the rolling stones!

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LaDiDaDi · 31/01/2008 18:06

I like them all apart from Dion.

I know a guy called Dion and nice though he is (A+E doc, non gang member afaik) I just think of Celine Dion every time I see him. Better be thought of as a gang member than someone whose mother's fave song was "My Heart Will Go On..." .

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Butkin · 27/02/2008 00:02

Otis = aardvark (uncool) or Ferry (cool in our house)
Dion = Dublin (well known and popular footballer)
Silas = Mariner and Ezra = Pound (both literary figures)

That just leaves Azul - wouldn't be my choice but each to their own.

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