Is this name as bad as I think it is?

[wb]

...and if so, should I say anything?

Briefly, a friend is expecting a baby boy in April. She told me today they are considering the name John.

Ordinarily of course that would be fine, nice name, but, but, but their surname is Doe. So, John Doe.

To me (avid fan of CSI etc) John Doe is the name given to unidentified bodies at the morgue. Am extremely to think about someone calling a baby this.

So, is it just me? Is dead body the first thing that springs to mind? Should I say anything? Normally, I would never dream of suggesting I didn't like a name but this has really blown my curcuits. Think I just gave a strangled squeak when she told me

Just to add, I really think you should say something, just in case they don't realise!

I have heard of John or Jane Doe, but would never have thought of avoiding a name begining with P!

You have to say something.

I work with a Chris Peacock - obvious one & has a real confidence issue.....and Richard Probert - who is called Dick Probe all the time.

How can parents do this to their children?

I think you should tell her. I never knew this thing about bodies being called John Doe so if my surname were Doe and I liked the name John it's very possibly something I might consider.

YOu have to tell her! The poor boy will never be able to travel in America without raised eyebrows, suspicions of taking the piss, and general ribbing.

All the quakers I know watch tv, by the way - she sounds rather hardcore! But however unworldly she is, she can't make the same assumptions for her child. T'aint fair.

i agree with the others, you have to tell her as she obviously doesn't know what it means. I think it is used in this country too for unknown bodies.

Luckily you can say in a non critical way as nothing wrong with the name John, it's just the combination.
She can then google for herself to see you are right.

I'd be grateful to you if were me about to make that mistake!

My neighbour is Dick Tester. Would have loved to have been at the wedding "I take thee Dick Tester"

I will definitely tell her. I'd never thought of the P. Doe thing either - but that will have to be a conversation for another time.

She does watch TV MamaGoblin, but never anything containing violence, or alluding to violence (like CSI fi). I have no idea if that is because she is a Quaker, or just a personal preference.

OMG this thread nearly made me wee myself!!

Dick Tester!!

Tell her it is akin to calling someone Joe Bloggs, or Mickey Mouse, even.