Being too harsh on people suggesting unusual names???

[frazzledoldbag34]

Why is it on here that people think it's perfectly fine to call babies commonly used names but jump up and down in horror at suggestions for something different? (and I'm guilty of this as well).
Would life not be a bit more interesting if school classrooms had a selection of kids called Marmaduke, Zazie, Juniper, Wilfred, Tallulah and Astrid? More interesting and less confusing than a class of 20 containing 3 Ruby's, 2 Olivia's, 3 Emily's, 2 Harry's, 3 Daniel's and 3 Thomas's. If you see what I mean. Why are we so mean to people who fancy something a bit 'different'.........?
Surely variety is the spice of life?

Oh, I think there are those that are the reverse! Seen a few posts where the question has been "is xxx too popular now?" I wonder how many regional differences there are? Suspect, for example, there are a lot more Finlays in Scotland than South East. Add in ethnic mix and the question gets even more complicated. But interesting.

If the posters were 100% confident in their choice then they surely wouldn't feel the need to ask complete strangers what they thought? You are more likely to get a completely honest answer on here than in RL, which surely is better?

I snorted at the Juniper thread which was in retrospect mean of me (I just thought of gin ).
Some posters really enjoy the opportunity on unusual name threads e.g Juniper to be mean and show how witty they are and will post more than once to drive their point home, even adding links to show their distaste which is just ott.

I only find it a source of irritation when the posters are just trying to be different with no thought for the child. Those posters don't appear insecure, I rather think they enjoy our reactions!!

That's a truly crap name!

Sorry, wrong thread.

If you only want everyone to repond with 'ooh how lovely', then surely this is not the place to ask?

Make like normal people and decide yourself, or ask friends and family, rather than opening it up to a nest of vipers mumsnetters.

better than being sniggered at behind their backs in RL IMO

I agree that for a third party observer it would be more interesting to have the class tou describe. But at an individual level I think a very Zaney name is hard for many kids to carry off. As a child I remember laughing at kids with odd names and also thinking their families must be strange. As an adult I am more open minded but sometimes I cannot help but make assumptions about a child's background based on its name.

Interesting comments. I only mentioned this is as I had read a few 'unusual' name threads and some of the comments seemed a little bit mean and even downright rude! And unless the name is truly ridiculous (a la 'Truly Scrumptious' or 'Fish and Chips') then surely there's no need to be horrid. Each to their own? Variety is surely better than tedium and boring mediocrity. Non?
Come to think of it 'Variety' is a lovely name for a girl and is in fact far nicer than 'Tedium', 'Boring' or 'Mediocrity'.

[gets wooden spoon out and stirs thoughtfully]
then
[puts bucket on head and runs for cover]

Mind you, it's not a new phenomenon - how about Branwell (Bronte) and Tryphena (Hardy's 1st love, if memory serves - the name stuck at least!). Some of them even become popular. I too wonder why so many people seem to be seeking affirmation of their ideas; maybe Hatrick's right and it is a sport. Too late for 2012?

Hmmm, not sure how the points would be awarded in an Olympic Baby Naming competition though?? I'd be interested to find out. Could be fun.

Don't ask for opinions if you only want ones that you agree with.

Marmaduke FFS!!!

What MadameCastafiore said!

Am glad you have my sons name in the interesting selection frazzled!!!

Start with a random selection of scrabble letters - points awarded accordingly? Tempted to start a "crazy names from history" thread.

Mind you, overheard in response to the name Aidan "the names they come up with these days". Oh, it's only 1400 years old.

Well, lottie, congratulations on not being 'dull'!
I like Wilfred actually (sorry, I did assume it was Wilfred and not Marmaduke??)

He is very definetly a Wilfred... (pics on my profile) The only Marmaduke i can think of was a man called Marmaduke Hussey who was something big at the BBC.

People aren't forced to post here; they do it of their own free will.

If you ask for opinions, that's what you'll get. If you don't want people sticking their bibs in, don't ask what they think.

Not exactly rocket science, is it!

If people don't want an honest opinion they shouldn't ask!
I wouldn't ask on here, you will never get everyone in agreement.

I just like ocmmenting. I'm not at all interested in teh changing fashions in names over the next decade.

People are ususally asking before they name their child, to see what people think.

Personally, I woudln't bother asking, as I would call my child a name I like, and not give a damn about what anybody else thougt.

When the baby name threads first appeared, the only responses were of the "oh how lovely" variety. I was very told off once for giving my honest opinion.

I like the baby names section and I try to be honest without being rude when people want opinions but I prefer the threads where posters are after suggestions (the egotistical me must be keen on the idea of naming the lo of someone I've never met, don't think it's happened yet though !).