Gang names or those that racially stereotype???

[sleepylion]

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

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

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

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?

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'.)

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.

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

I like Otis

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

I am totally confused by the OP.

Are you on the run from the Crips or something?

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

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

How about Keith
or Brian

you know where you are with Keith and Brian

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.

Akon

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

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

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

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

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..." .

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.