Xavier is 5wks but I cringe when asked his name! Help!

[auntymel]

I like Xavier as a name but when anybody asks his name nobody can repeat it back and nobody says that's nice! I'm now at the stage of avoiding striking up conversation or lying and saying his name is John to strangers! Have I made a mistake is it horrible and too pretentious and will Xavier have a horrible time his whole life? My other DS is Sebastian and I always get compliments.

'Tis lovely. I have a similar problem with my DS and I too got a bit shy about telling people at one point- particularly old people. Now I'm yelling and screaming it across parks/ supermarkets and village halls with complete confidence.

Actually, more often than not I still get a wee zing of 'wow what a cool name we gave our son' and I don't care if people can spell/ say it. We can and that's all that matters.

Congrats

nice if you're french or pretentious

I love the name Xavier, and if your Father is French then think it is perfectly allowed to use it

However, if you are feeling that uncomfortable about telling people his name and you are uncertain, perhaps you could look into changing his name?

Fab Fab name!

Gosh,I love Xavier!

Be proud to have given your son an unusual name.

Take no notice of Anna.

But it isn't just a French name. Also Spanish.

Xavier is a fantastic name. Please don't change it. Goes great with Sebastian too. It's just going to take time for everyone to get used to it.

I love the name but wouldn't use it as I was worried that people would insist on Zayvee-er which would annoy me. I also have no French/ Spanish connections so it would have been pretentious.

When I named DD1 all I had was people saying "oooh, what I lovely name" but with DD2 I get a lot of "oh." It bothered me at first but I still love her name which really is what matters.

Brilliant name, he invented cabbage patch dolls! If you really dread it then change. Unusual names need a lot of front to pull off, my dc4 is called Artemus.... everyone loves it when I say it....but them I do say it with pride because I love the name.

Perhaps as he grows you will see him as Xavier more? But don't be too proud to change it if you feel unhappy.

I love the name Xavier.

People struggle to get my DD2's name right, she is Yazmin. They always say 'Jasmine, that's nice. ' While DD2 keeps saying 'No, Yazmin'.

Very annoying but i still love her name.

Know what you mean. Really great reaction to ds1's name. An "oh!" was the most I got to ds2's. Midwife that delivered him was spanish and just didn't understand it so he got Baby Yomella.... written on them. Great reaction for dd's name. Was a grown-up name for baby, but suits him much better now he's nearly 3.

them = nametags etc btw (posted too quick)

Gorgeous name! Please don't change it. We're planning on a really unusual name for DC1 (am 29 weeks), and I am looking forward to people being surprised and interested by it.

And when I say really unusual, I mean, almost no-one with this nam, esp if it's a girl!

I love it. We aren't French, but do spend a lot of time there.

It is the name I had chosen for No 3 (who we probably won't have) and the one I wish we'd chosen for DS2. We went for a slightly unusual Irish name (Irish background although we are both very English), and OP, I know where you are coming from.

Having said that, our little "Irish" son really suits his name, even if most of the world can't spell it! If he hates it when he is older, his middle hame is an uncontroversial Thomas.

I found it took me ages to get used to calling my DS's by their names esp as with DS2.
DS2's name not universally liked ( been branded chavvy on here )
Even now i hold my breat after I tell people his name waitning for the 'wince'
Stick wiht it if you like it, I think it is a great name btw

Stick with it. Its a lovely name and it is lovely to hear an unusual name on a boy - so often you hear the same names cropping up over and over again.

It's a perfectly nice name (is it French?) but if you have decided it's not for ds, then change it now quickly before it becomes too established or it will always feel not 'right'.

Don't change it though if you love it but for other peoples sake. It's not a crazy gimmicky name no-one has ever used. I can't understand why anyone would have a problem saying it. Maybe you'll have to confirm the spelling a few times to some people. It's uncommon but that can be a good thing.

My ds has an uncommon name. We had a few mixed reactions to it when he was born. Mil would only call him by his middle name for some weeks cos she kept 'forgetting' but I just ignore her mostly when she's being obtuse.

He's now 8. People do grow into their name and make it their own. Ds has told me he likes it very much and there are rarely any others with it, so when anyone thinks of it they think of him

When you tell people you ds's name sound enthusiastic and happy with it. If you sound doubtful people will pick up on it and start to think there's something wrong with it (which there's not of course!)

I think its a lovely name. Maybe introduce him as Zav until you get your confidence/he grows into his name?

Had the same with dd2's name which dh and I think is elegant and beautiful but gets similar reactions - the "how unusual", or even worse silence. We live in area where all the boys are Ben or Oliver and girls are Grace and Isabella and anything outside that bracket raises eyebrows. FWIW I think names like yours (and ours) evoke stronger reactions than your average Tom or Archie. Until they get used to them a few dull and conventional people will but they soon get used to it.

My first proper boyfriend was called Xavier (his mum was French) and I still love the name. He was like a local celebrity as everyone knew him because of his unusual name! If I were you I would definitely keep it.

I felt the same about my ds1's name at first but he definitely grew into his name and I love it now.

If you don't like it then either change his name, or call him by his middle name instead. Much easier to do it now than later!

Thank you I feel much more confident about it now. Also have no idea what I would have changed it too. Typically I had six girls names I liked and only one boys name. I also think he quite suits it I just need to learn not to hesitate when asked.
Thanks MN

its gorgeous.....be strong and confident in your lovely choice for your darling son. [smie]

My brother is Xavier, he loves it, espeically being able to sign X on offical documents
People mispronounce all of my families names, they aren't 'bizarre' just different, so I am sure it's not just your son. I have people correct the pronunciation of my name as I am saying it wrong. It's just other people, not you!

Strangely enough, Xavier is not his first name, it's his second (he has 4, don't ask), it just suited him better than his first name.