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

[Giggsie]

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

I taught a child called Ayo, her friend quoted the advert at me to ensure I pronounced it correctly-Ay-oh, let's go! I don't think you can say much bar maybe remind them it's the woman raped by Zeus, not sure why they'd choose that! Bit controversial.

I like Ianthe.

But Io is growing on me: it’s rather short and sweet, so perfect for a little girl, yet cool and elegant for a grown woman ( provided you don’t envisage the horns).

Having a distinct name is a superpower. Just wait until you go to interviews 😀

Funny how even 1,000 years on, the (self imposed ?) sense that the classics aren't for the commons persists here. I can guarantee you that if there were a Lords and Ladies version of MN, no one would have blinked at a name from the classics.

There is no more bad behaviour in the legends of ancient Greece than there is in the Bible. Discuss 😀

I think names just get normalised and she won't be teased at all. Years ago my DS had three friends called Titus. They were never teased, which was inexplicable to me.

I actually love the name! Agree it's difficult written down.

I know a Magnus who was tiny!

There are lots of Nigerian people who shorten their name to Ayo. I think it's a really nice name.

I can see why your dd likes it - it truly is rare. It’s going to be a nightmare for the dc when it Cole’s to filling in online forms though, most won’t accept a 2-letter name. I realise that will be the least of her problems! But I don’t think it’s as bad as you think

Is Io the one who was eventually turned into a cow and plagued by biting insects?

Or have I misremembered?

I don’t dislike it at all, but I’m sure there will be a lifetime of having to spell it and having people mispronounce it.

Yes. If it's close family speak up but you might not get thanked for it. Not at all keen on the name either. It's pretty dire actually.

Nothing to do with you

Yes! I think the violet colours reflected her different states of mind, maybe! Were they made from her tears? I think it made its way into the myth due to an etymological assumption the two words were linked, but in fact they have different roots!

If its legitimately offensive maybe but if its just not your taste or times have changed then no.

Example:

Some old people think Jesse for a boy is offensive, its however very common now and in the top 100 boys names. Its such an outdated insult that it just doesn't apply to our generation so its just their old world views.

I know I have heard several people say Winter is silly or say 'its just a random word' and pull faces but once again its a fast growing name. Its not really any different to Summer, Autumn, April, May, June etc... just because they're not use to it doesn't make it 'bad'.

However if the name was Gay-Fanny or something its feels so on the nose that you would probably have to say 'are you joking?'. If they where genuinely legit and somehow not trying to be edge lords (say its to honor great grandparents or something) I would maybe gently suggest variants like Gail-Stefannie or something.

Honestly though you cannot forcibly change someones mind even if its terrible. If its just a normal name and you ruin the excitement for them they will never tell you anything like that again in future though.

Iona could be a longer version.

I think my bigger issue is in many countries names need to be 3 letters or longer for databases to accept them. It was a huge issue for many Asian students at university.

I honestly would have no idea about some mythical rape so I HIGHLY doubt my (or anyone elses) kids would somehow figure that our or care. Its not something a kid would be bullied for etc...

I agree but that doesn’t mean we should define the name by that rather than she swam a sea?

to me she never comes across as a victim

Hercales is always a far more depressing story than we have now due to the Disney and tv stories - not least he has become Hercules who is Roman!

Classical names are having a bit of a moment, I like them in general and I like Io. I suspect the fashion means that in 30 years they will be period names rather like flower and gem names used to shout "Edwardian flower".

I’ve met a couple of Ios, neither seemed to find it a problematic name. I agree with PP that reducing a significant female character from Greek mythology to her experience of male violence is mysognistic.

Most names are pronounced differently in different languages simply because vowels are pronounced differently and (almost?) every name contains a vowel!

Owen is problematic in French because of c'est Owen sounding like something derogatory, Cara is a rude word in Arabic, Zora is rude in Spanish. Apparently Laura is rude in Hindi and Mia means "missing child" in Korean - not rude but not necessarily the meaning parents want. Sasha is a male name/ male nickname in Russia and lots of Slavic languages but female in English speaking countries.

OP you should just keep quiet. Kids will tease each other mercilessly about all sorts of stuff. I don't think Io is any more of a target than majority of DC names these days.

Io means "I" in Italian

Io is fine, It's pronounced 'Eye-o'. If you are really irritated by it you could suggest Iolanthe (Yolantha - though some might say it 'Eye-o-lanthy) which is similar in style. Classical Greek names are in. Many Greek myths involve forcible seduction (i.e. rape) in some form or another but the names of the victims also have huge resonance and meaning behind them.
Io was a princess of Argos and her descendants include Perseus (winged-horse and Medusa), as well as Herakles - they never mention any female descendants! Another version of her name is Isis, but I don't suggest this as an alternative these days! One might go for 'Iris', also fashionable, I suppose - and also Classical Greek, being the rainbow?
As to being unusual/rare, my name is a rare one (Cornish) and I have had to spell it all my life. It has never bothered me. I doubt it will bother your DGD that she has an unusual name - and it's better than being called Sydney or Brook et al. And remembering Io and her rape is an act of solidarity with women through all time, I think - truly feminist.
In the end it's your DD's choice, not yours. Personally I rather fancy Io Phoronis as a girl's name!

How do you pronounce it? I O like Iona or low??

the name will become baby, embrace it, you’ll survive.

You need to keep quiet. You had your opportunity to name your children.

I honestly think anyone over the age of about 35 who doesn't work with children simply doesn't understand how different attitudes to names are in schools now, especially in an international or diverse context. I used to teach a child in inner-city London named Phúc. MN would no doubt have a collective heart attack but it was never, ever an issue.

As an aside, I like it.

I like it. Also its really not your choice. be careful what you say.

Agree. I share the name of an ancient rape victim and no one has ever mentioned it. She stood up to the rapist and got revenge. Lots of paintings including by Artemisia Gentileschi and Rubens. I'm very proud of my namesake.

I know I have heard several people say Winter is silly or say 'its just a random word' and pull faces but once again its a fast growing name.

People who get uptight about names generally know stuff all about history. If they did, they'd know the struggle that Victorians had naming orphans - just look at a few of their names ....

Thankful.
Pleasant.
Hollybranch.
Godsend.
Raspberry Sucker.
Never.
Toilet.
Happy.

https://beelinguapp.com/blog/very-interesting-baby-names-from-the-victorian-era

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