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.

There is a new boy in DS's class called Xavier ~ he is 15 years old and is mega cool appartently

It's a great name.

I think it's a gorgeous name. My DD2 has a fairly unusual name and I love it so much that I really don't care how people react to it. How do you feel when you're using the name at home? My friend has a Xavier and has used other unusual names, too, and when we were talking recently about names she kept finding an opportunity to use her DD's name. It was very endearing . If you can get over your self-consciousness, would you feel that way about it?

All three of my boys have uncommon names and I can completely relate to the tense pause after someone asks their names especially when they ask me to name all my children in a list. The atmosphere thickens, or is it me?

Plenty of people also say, 'Wow! Great name(s)'. It really does get easier.

They're boring. You're not. That's my attitude. You can't please everyone. For every awkward pause you get a wow! I love unusual names! (and it's not that unusual anyway I don't think).

I agree with Bonsoir. It's fine if you're French but a tad poncey if you're not. I do like it as a name but it does sound odd in Anglo Saxon countries.

Not round here it doesn't - I know of 2

How cool to have a first name that starts with an X! I love it

I like it bt if you cringe maybe its not for you.There are lots of names that I think are lovely but wouldn't use them maybe you should change it while he's young to Ptolemy

I think it is lovely. DD has a friend called Xavier. It is popular in France, Spain (Javier) and especially in Catalonia. Your Dad is French so there is a logical connection but there doesn't need to be. Ignore boring people who cannot pronounce anything vaguely "forrin" or people who say "Ewww, not for the likes of you!" out of pure snobbery

Can you tell I hate baby name facism?! oh and I also loved Sebastian but had DDs so never got to use it. I am a northern pleb so probably just as well, eh?? grin]

Congrats on your baby btw.

I also felt like you with Dd and sometimes still do and she'll turn 3 next month. Her name is Willow and I don't think anyone except my Dad wasn't keen on it.

If you like it, you'll get more comfortable with it over time and who really cares what other people think? I can't think why anyone would have trouble saying Xavier at all. It's a lovely name IMO.

Is is the name itself or the worry that it does not suit him?

I cringed every time I was asked dd2's name and it is a beautiful, traditional (boring) name but somehow I just felt slightly awkward about it being her name. I used to point out that dh chose it despite receiving only positive feedback. She is now 3 1/2 and has grown into it beautifully. She has also chosen her own shortened version and I cannot imagine her as any other name.

I happen to think that Xavier is a fabulous, strong name that goes very well with Sebastian. It is great for a baby, a child and a man. (Maybe I am revealing my Canadian roots... but I know several people with both names and I don't find them pretentious or OTT.)

Names are such a personal thing that I would not let other people's reactions be your guide.

On a tangent... I know two brothers called Xavier and Sebastian!

I know two brothers called Xavier and Quentin - both with French roots I think (where both names are more popular).

I really like Xavier but would naturally pronounce it Ksa-vier (unless told otherwise, of course).

I like it, think your DS will grow into it really well.

auntymel, I think Xavier is a beautiful name, it was on my list for ds3

stick with it, i have found every single time that i find it a bit weird saying their names for a while, but after a bit it just is fine!

I love it, ds was going to be Xavier but H's family all said Zay vee er and it annoyed me too much!

Well another few days have passed and it's definitely becoming easier introducing Xavier. I know I shouldn't admit to being so insecure as to require confidence from others opinions but it has certainly helped. Thanks

I can't think of another baby name thread that has attracted such a positive response.

If you were ever in any doubt that Xavier is without exception a fantastic, wonderful name then these last 95 postings must reassure you.

Congratulations on your new baby and great taste in names.

I love it ! Don't worry about what other people think. My partner picked our boys name - Nathaniel. I got the same reaction, and felt embarrased to say it. I kept shortening it to Nath. I absolutly love it now, and know that when I shout out to him, half the estate won't come running !!

I think it is a lovely name.

I felt like this after having DD2 5 months ago. Everytime I told someone what her name was, there would be an awkward silence as if I had just insulted them! I love my little girls name and no longer care what others think of it

Xavier is a marvellous name and if you have any catholic friends they won't ask twice

I've never met a Xavier who wasn't a completely handsome beast either

Absolutely gorgeous name.

My kids have uncommon names - they grow into them very quickly

I really like it - never thought of it before. It certainly beats all the Oliver and Jack's flooding the pre-schools at the moment. I would pronounce it Zavier as an english person, but as you are half french, Havier is fine. We are such a multicultural society that unusual names are now actually quite the norm IYSWIM

You chose this name for YOUR child and I think that changing it would be a shame - in 10 years it'd be like, well you USED to be called Xavier, but nobody liked it so we changed it......doesn't sound too good. Stick with your first instincts and be proud!