Is it cruel to give wierd names?

[23skidoo]

It's really popular nowadays to give kids 'unique' names, but sometimes they seem a little... cruel.

I was given a horrible name, Hildefuns(I also have a strange surname), and I'm 16 yr old girl, I've always resented the name and, to an extent, my parents for giving it to me(i'm not on good terms with my mum especially).I am planning on training as a lawyer or geographer and try to get people to take you seriously with a name like that!!! Thoughts?

Think it depends on the name, and the child.
I have a very unusual name (think unique in the UK, but NOT a made-up type name) and I've always loved it, am glad my parents gave it to me, and am very at the very thought of someone else having my name.

I would just assume you were forrin, and wouldn't give it a second thought. It doesn't sound like a naff name like Gucci or Chardonnay or Fifi.

My DS1 has a v uncommon name, but I don't think it will hinder him in life

Yeah people have asked me if I'm German before. Not really offensive but it's always a WTF moment.

"My DS1 has a v uncommon name, but I don't think it will hinder him in life"

Well, every parent who gives their child a ludicrous unusual name says this, or they wouldn't go ahead with it.

I think you do have to be very careful as a parent not to be totally self-indulgent when it comes to naming your child, as they have to live with it on a daily basis, and it is an all-defining thing.

I have a very unusual name (although perhaps not quite as unusual as the OP) and I love it. But I could use a very common shortening if I wanted. I've given my children names which now are relatively common, although we didn't anticipate that, and I do regret it a little bit (not much though as we don't actually know any other kids with their names).

The advantage to an unusual name is that you are remembered, so when you become Hildefuns the judge/geographer you won't be easily forgotten Hopefully you will grown into your name (or use Hilda/Hilde perhaps), but it can be a bit of a burden to stand out in your teens (I remember hating being tall, something that I am now very comfortable with).

Can I ask why you are posting on Mumsnet? It's not great for young people who aren't parents, and I feel a bit uncomfortable too with you using a real and unusual first name.

I dont believe you are called Hildefuns. I think you are making it up.

My dd2 has an unusual name and gets loads of compliments and is very proud of it. Personally, I wish I had a more interesting name.

That said, I think this whole thing of 'unusual' names being terrible is very Anglocentric and a bit parochial. Surely the whole idea of diversity means that you have more of a mix of cultures and styles. I know where I live, there's not really such a thing as a usual or unusual name. Everyone has a different name. But then I live in a country where you've got Barack, Condoleeza et al running the show ;)

Hildefuns is a boy's german name so perhaps that is a bit unusual!

You can always just change your first name!

The OPs posting sounds fake... probably a journalist canvassing for opinions..

But to answer the question anyway, I have an unusual (but very pretty ) name and I love it!

Whats wrong with Hilda as a nickname?

I too have a fairly rare name and have always loved being the only one in my school ).

My SD has a really unusual name and my 3 children have "normal" names, I def think normal is better as SD really struggles with the fact her name is the girls version of a boys name and everyone assumes she is a boy with a strange spelling of his name. Things like prescriptions etc always say Master.... on them and I spend time correcting people frequently. Think about it its prob good we didn't have children together as we would have had very different views on names!

At 16 you can call yourself anything you want!

Give yourself a new name if that's what you want, tell your family and school and stick to your guns.

What is the problem?

One person's unusual is another's lovely and exotic - and to yet another person from a different culture, a perfectly ordinary name.

I'd get this thread deleted if I were you. I think that Hildefuns is your name. You're very young and should really try and be more savvy about protecting your RL identity on internet forums. I know this is Mumsnet, but any one of us could be a hairy trucker called Dave.

Oh, and at 16 I promise you, you will always find a reason to be pissed off with your parents, however 'normal' your name

But in 16 years time everyone will have unusual names, so you won't stand out so much if you are called Xesmub or Moorxob or something.

It's character building, anyway.

call yourself hun for short.