Help, explaining your child's namesake.

[MamaBlue4]

My ds asked me today why he has a funny name, apparently one of the preschool teachers couldn't pronounce his name and said it was funny name, I don't think she meant it in a malicious way but it upset my ds, to the point where he was crying when he told me.

I told he has a special name because it's special to mama, but he kept asking why and I told him we'd talk about it tomorrow after activity time - which I do plan on doing but I was hoping you could help me word it!

He's named after a character in a book - The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and ds3's middle name is a character from the same book, which I plan on mentioning to help.

How can I phrase it so mama doesn't sound crazy and in a way he understands. I never thought I would have to explain why he's called what he is.

No, it sounds nothing like Keith.

It has no e sound, haha.

K-voe-th

I can't believe that at no point did you give any thought to what would happen when he went to school.

My dd1 is named after a book character and DD2's middle name also, I wasn't allowed it for a first name. I shall tell them when they're older where the inspiration came from but their names don't cause raising of eyebrows.

I've seen it, but the V is pretty much silent, it's not pronounced clearly.

And the Kvetch bit is there to point out that the K isn't over extended, hence why the V is silent. I've met the author when I visited America and he says I'm pronouncing it right. I've seen the video and interviews too, I posted the exact video in a comment on his blog. I know how to pronounce my ds's name haha.

Why did you not consider it?

When he speaks it's hardly noticeable and that's how I pronounce it. Again, we're off topic. Pronounce it how you wish, but if it's not relevant to my topic so I'm not replying. I'm tired having the same debate haha.

Can you not just continue to say 'I called you this name because I liked it?' until eventually he gives up asking? albeit that it might be in six months time. Surely that is the truth of the matter, and it doesn't really need any further explaining?

what I mean is, saying 'because I liked it' isn't fobbing him off with an inadequate explanation, its just telling the truth, and sometimes there isn't a long explanation needed.

It's his bed time in a few hours, so I'll try the short version, like you suggested. If that doesn't work, I'll do the longish version to satisfy him.

Thanks to those who gave suggestions. I never thought I'd have to defend my kid's name but alas. I'll post what happens, but after that I have no concern for people who want to continue debating his name. Thanks :)

WTAF.com

I don't see why you made such a song and dance, all that wait until tomorrow? Surely I named you after a character in my favourite book would have done?

I didn't have time to tell him yesterday and he's a very curious boy, he doesn't care for simple answers. I asked for suggestions that's all.

Most four year olds are curious. When DD was that age I would answer a question and would get "why" in response. That stage soon passes.

I don't think you need to make a big thing of why you chose your son's name. Just a favourite character out of a book. You could add that this character was brave/good/handsome or whatever.

As for the other comments on your choice of name, I'm afraid you will get asked, some people will be polite about it and others not so. Forgive me for sounding rude, but I think it was a little naive not to anticipate these questions when you named your son. And yes, your son will get his name mispronounced and misspelt through his life, sorry.

I asked earlier, Is this book in the same genre as Lord of the Rings.?

You don't have to 'defend' his name but you are naive in thinking it won't be mispronounced/he won't be asked how to pronounce it every time he meets a new teacher in secondary school.

As for the v and e being silent - it is not a silent v - the Kv sound is like the German q sound - if you want to pronounce it like Koath instead of Kvoath that's up to you but telling yoourself the v is hardly noticeable is a load of bollocks.

Bunbaker, it is Lord of the Rings-ish. It's an unfinished trilogy. I think the third book is in progress.

Thank you. I might give it a try.

OP, also in the book it says of his name that "My father once told me it meant "to know." So you could explain it is a character in a book but it also means that, if you like.

I might have to give it a try, too! I have a Hermione and I'm afraid I didn't get it from Shakespeare! She's a tweenager now but when she was little and it attracted comments I talked about the things I love about the character to make her feel special. She copes and now most of her peers think it's really very cool.

It's a really good book (if you like fantasy), and I enjoyed the interview too, so thanks Reality. I have to admit that's not how I've been pronouncing the name in my head (he is kv-oth to me, not Kv-oath). It's one of the problems with fantasy IMO too weird names with strange pronunciations.

To be fair though Dr Kvothe sounds epic! like a bond baddy or something "nice to see you, Mr Bond"

He will have to explain it all the time but who knows he may grow to like the attention/intuige. After all, most names come from books! Biblical names now considered the norm are from a book.

Hope you managed to explain it to him and stem his need to know the dreaded "why"

You could try "On the Night you were Born" to help him fall in love with his name.
It's not that uncommon at this age for kids to rename themselves. My DN decided to be Isobel rather than Olivia for about 3 months at one point and a friends DS is currently answering to Harold only - his name is Mark.