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Hate DD’s planned baby name. Is it ever ok to say that?

484 replies

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 21:53

I expect the answer is to keep quiet but I fear by future grandchild will be teased mercilessly.

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IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 12/06/2025 08:04

BreatheAndFocus · 12/06/2025 06:35

No, they won’t because this letter is a capital I not an L:

But people's minds will still substitute it for an 'L', as words beginning 'Lo...' are far more common.

I never quite got to grips with Lisa I'Anson's name, as loads of French-derived words, names and phrases start with 'L' and then an apostrophe (often with a lower-case 'L', even if the name/word itself has a capital); but I perspnally had no mental frame of reference for an 'I' followed by an apostrophe.

Doitrightnow · 12/06/2025 08:09

CuthbertStrange · 12/06/2025 04:42

Unlike most people, I find it absolutely acceptable to voice your opinion! It’s called Mum privilege. My mother voices hers and I either agree with her or disagree. No harm and we know where we both stand. Having said that, she and I tend to agree on most things :-) If you can’t speak up, what kind of relationship is it?

I really disagree. I'm close to my Mum but, as with anyone, I think it's it's rude and annoying to give opinions that aren't asked for. The chosen name isn't rude or offensive.

If the DD asked the OP for her opinion on Io then that would be fine to give her honest view. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

SameDayNewName · 12/06/2025 08:10

It's a bit of a silly name, I agree OP. But not enough to warrant saying anything, I don't think. There was one on here before, where a mother wanted opinions about the name "Lucky Buoy" for her son 😂 The thread got deleted as she didn't agree with people's opinions on it, but I still think about it periodically and chuckle. Anyway, if it was as blatantly stupid as that, I think you'd have to say something. But "Eye-Oh", is just a noise to most people, not a "thing" like a buoy (!) iyswim? And apparently there are already people with this name. So not really League 1 stupid.

prelovedusername · 12/06/2025 08:14

I think it sounds pretentious and performative but not a source of teasing. I wouldn’t worry about it.

Calliopespa · 12/06/2025 08:17

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 22:01

But it’s Io, as in eye-oh, not Lo

I immediately read it as the mythological Io and not Lo or a kind of X-I name.

Zeus’ lover! And a moon.

I’m not one for “yoonique” names but this is not “made up” and I don’t mind it!

I think it’s quite elegant.

Calliopespa · 12/06/2025 08:20

CMRE · 11/06/2025 23:12

OP it sounds like this isn’t a name your DD has chosen on a whim but one she’s put thought in to and really likes, in which case I’d say nothing.

I am married to an Irish man and now live there and our children have very traditional Irish names; my mum hates one of them and has never made any secret of it. I can’t forgive her for how rude she is about it. She mispronounces it on purpose (he’s 7, she’s had long enough to get used to it!) and I hear her joking about it to her friends. I am not suggesting you’ll do this but decide whether your relationship with your DD and future grandchildren is more important than your thoughts on a name, as my relationship with my mother is permanently damaged.

I loathe people doing the “accidentally-on-purpose-because-I-think-it’s-too-weird-for-me” name mispronunciation.

So rude and transparent.

Bikergran · 12/06/2025 08:20

ZiggyZowie · 11/06/2025 22:04

My mother in law said " she'll not thank you for that ". when we told her name of my daughter.
The name ? Chloe which was no 1 for ages in polls. She kept calling her Cleo,I think on purpose trying to wind me up.

Mother In laws name ? Wilhelmina Davina

Say no more..

Probably MIL has hated her names all her life, and wishes she were called Jane. That's WHY she commented!

BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation · 12/06/2025 08:22

Giggsie · 11/06/2025 21:57

It’s hugely distinctive and identifying so I have name changed and will ask for this thread to be deleted.

its Io.

its from Greek mythology, a women who was raped by Zeus.

the child will spend her life being called “Lo” or “10” due to how it’s written.

I have a colleague called Io. She is never called Lo or 10, we literally use her name.

FormerTeacher · 12/06/2025 08:24

It must feel difficult for you, but I agree you shouldn’t say anything. Would it help to reframe it in your mind?

Io (and imagine it also in the Greek lettering, Ιω, ΙΩ in capitals) did so much more than be raped by Zeus. She endured and came through many hardships; the violet flower was created in her honour by the Earth, and (according to that myth) named after her; she was the ancestor of a great many heroes; she has given her name to the Bosphorus and the Ionian Sea. She has been linked with Egyptian deities and with the moon, and widely revered (our moon, long before she was a moon of Jupiter). It is a name rich in history and worthy of respect, yet without the hubris associated with naming children directly after deities. Your daughter would have had all this in mind.

Also, in modern Greek culture, it’s not uncommon to give children names like this, in full knowledge of the often brutal mythological background (Philomela springs to mind as an example.)

As for having to spell/correct pronunciation – it’s annoying, but many have this issue and is something people just get on with. It can happen with so many names

As for bullying – I think it’s less likely than you might think. In schools these days there is such a wealth of names from different heritages - especially in an international school.

congratulations on the imminent arrival!

edited to add: in my opinion I still don’t think you should say anything, but it just occurred to me that Ione (Ιóνη), pronounced “eye-OH-nee” is the name meaning Violet (not actually linked etymologically to Io, but thought to be hence the myth) and it could be shortened to Io. You might have heard of the political correspondent Ione Wells. I think it’s a pretty name.

ExercicenformedeZ · 12/06/2025 08:24

Io is perfectly fine as a name. It's better than Kylie or Molly-Mae.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 12/06/2025 08:27

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 12/06/2025 08:04

But people's minds will still substitute it for an 'L', as words beginning 'Lo...' are far more common.

I never quite got to grips with Lisa I'Anson's name, as loads of French-derived words, names and phrases start with 'L' and then an apostrophe (often with a lower-case 'L', even if the name/word itself has a capital); but I perspnally had no mental frame of reference for an 'I' followed by an apostrophe.

Io clearly is a capital I not a lower case l

Redlocks30 · 12/06/2025 08:30

I really like it actually! She wasn't just someone who was raped, she was a princess. With a moon of Jupiter named after her!

Growlybear83 · 12/06/2025 08:30

It’s your daughter - of course you can share your opinion. I can see why you think it’s an awful name, although I’ve heard far far worse.

NeedToChangeName · 12/06/2025 08:31

I feel sorry for people with names that aren't easy to pronounce

Calliopespa · 12/06/2025 08:32

pollyglot · 12/06/2025 02:41

Didn't Hera turn Io into a cow? Any issue with that? I love the name, actually, though have always pronounced it as Ee-o.

Edited

Probably where Old McDonald got his e-io from …

But yes she was turned into a cow, in some versions by Hera but in others by Zeus to hide her. Then she was given violets to eat ( the name of the flower incorporating her name). She is sometimes depicted with horns like a heifer!

But all those myths are bonkers and the Violet association I like.

Suggestion op: could you act very supportive and interested and suggest Violet nickname Io? It would be an unusual and apt shortening of a pretty name for a pretty flower.

That allows you to suggest something more mainstream ( in case the baby hates it) but with a really good basis for them still calling her Io.

onlymethen · 12/06/2025 08:34

My mum said my daughters name was a cats name, I didn’t listen to her but have never forgotten. Everyone comments on what a lovely name it is, so I’m pleased I went ahead.

Calliopespa · 12/06/2025 08:35

FormerTeacher · 12/06/2025 08:24

It must feel difficult for you, but I agree you shouldn’t say anything. Would it help to reframe it in your mind?

Io (and imagine it also in the Greek lettering, Ιω, ΙΩ in capitals) did so much more than be raped by Zeus. She endured and came through many hardships; the violet flower was created in her honour by the Earth, and (according to that myth) named after her; she was the ancestor of a great many heroes; she has given her name to the Bosphorus and the Ionian Sea. She has been linked with Egyptian deities and with the moon, and widely revered (our moon, long before she was a moon of Jupiter). It is a name rich in history and worthy of respect, yet without the hubris associated with naming children directly after deities. Your daughter would have had all this in mind.

Also, in modern Greek culture, it’s not uncommon to give children names like this, in full knowledge of the often brutal mythological background (Philomela springs to mind as an example.)

As for having to spell/correct pronunciation – it’s annoying, but many have this issue and is something people just get on with. It can happen with so many names

As for bullying – I think it’s less likely than you might think. In schools these days there is such a wealth of names from different heritages - especially in an international school.

congratulations on the imminent arrival!

edited to add: in my opinion I still don’t think you should say anything, but it just occurred to me that Ione (Ιóνη), pronounced “eye-OH-nee” is the name meaning Violet (not actually linked etymologically to Io, but thought to be hence the myth) and it could be shortened to Io. You might have heard of the political correspondent Ione Wells. I think it’s a pretty name.

Edited

Yes I’m reading backward! I like the violet link too and cross-posted the same!

That’s what I’d suggest op!

But edited to add I thought it was linked because she was given violets to eat as a cow!

MCCN · 12/06/2025 08:38

At least it's a real name and (some) people will have heard of it before and know how to spell and pronounce it.

Those that haven't come across it before will pick it up easily. I can't really see any problem. Iona is quite a popular name these days and I imagine a lot of them get shortened to Io.

I prefer Ione (eye oh nee) but as your DD has clearly put a lot of thought into her choice, I wouldn't say anything.

Paaseitjes · 12/06/2025 08:39

Internationally Io will be far more recognisable than Iona. Its a lovely name and will travel well through Europe where almost everyone will be able to pronounce it. And all the people saying about the rape myth hand no problem with what happened to St Catherine or all the other traditional Christian names...

AngelinaFibres · 12/06/2025 08:39

My friend has just become a granny. Her daughter has called her little boy a 2 letter name that she really hates. She finds it difficult when she's out with her daughter and the pram and people say ' Oh he's beautiful, what's his name?" and she has to organise her face and voice to say it breezily. Every time the asker will repeat the name to be sure that's what she actually said. Her daughter knows that everyone hates the name. He's 2 months old now so she will have registered him with the awful name.

Seaoftroubles · 12/06/2025 08:41

Sorry if this has ready been suggested ( haven't read the full thread) but how about Iona with Io for short? That sounds lovely!

usedtobeaylis · 12/06/2025 08:41

Your daughter has probably already weighed up the negatives. Keep quiet.

Calliopespa · 12/06/2025 08:41

thepariscrimefiles · 12/06/2025 06:57

It sounds a bit like 'Eeyore', the donkey from Winnie the Poo.

I still wouldn't say anything to your daughter about not liking the name. She probably won't change her mind and she will just be upset.

Eeyore! That made me laugh!

Mauvehoodie · 12/06/2025 08:47

I actually know an Io. I think it's pretty. I honestly wouldn't worry, OP. There are so many different names nowadays, it just isn't like the past where kids got teased if they had a name even slightly outside the norm. Kids just see it as normal now to have a wider range of names. I have a 13 yo DS so been all the way through primary school and bottom years of secondary and they honestly just accept names now.

boxtop · 12/06/2025 08:47

It's really not that weird. I prefer Ianthe. For non-Greek people to use it, it's just a bit posh, that's all.