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 four year old cares for simple answers . The 'why' thing is one of those things that they do at this age to try to test us!

I explained above in two posts above how to pronounce it and the whole V issue, as I've said I've met the author and he said how I pronounce is correct. It's hard to write how I pronounce it, much easier face to face.

I've never read Lord of the Rings or seen the films, so maybe someone who has and has read the book can answer more on that for you :)

I explained it to him at bed time, after bath when his energy levels drop. A lot of whys were asked - the short answer did not work.

"You were named after mama's favourite book (why?) because mama wants you to know that you can become anything you want to be. (oh okay but why?) want me to tell you about Kvothe? (yes! yes!) or would like mama to read some of the book instead of your bedtime book? (book, mama!) - I read him a small excerpt and more questions followed.

"Mama what's a alchemist ( he can't pronounce it and it's adorable)? It's someone who believes they have profound powers - like magic, that change one element into another.
".... like harry potter?" Kinda but Kvothe is so much cooler. (makes him giggle)
"Can I go on adventures, too?" You can go on as many as you want.
"Okay. I like my name mama, when I grow big I have big 'ventures too."

So yeah, long answer worked better. I won't be replying anymore to thread but thank you all for your suggestions :)

Glad your discussion with your son went well, OP.

FWIW, the name as pronounced and explained by the author very clearly has a "v" sound. Of course, you're welcome to pronounce it however you like. But it shouldn't come as any surprise that your son will have to spend the rest of his life repeating his name, spelling it out, repeating it again. . .

I'm sure it must get a bit boring and frustrating to have him continually asking you the same questions about the origins of his name.

But here's the thing. When you chose to give him that name, you signed him up for a lifetime of those questions. However many times you get asked the same thing over and over again, it's a drop in the ocean to how many times HE is going to get asked it.

So in the nicest possible way, suck it up because it is hypocritical and self-centred of you to object to experiencing what you thoughtlessly signed him up for a lifetime of.

Off subject but I think it's lovely he has a name that you loved enough to pass on, Fantasy or no.

You've also inspired my next read.

I actually think you might be overthinking this a bit. Even if you give your child the most 'normal' name in the world, there is still every possibility that they will be fascinated to know why you chose that particular one; I know my DD was when she was that age, and she has a totally run of the mill name.

Mmm I think Treacle is right.

However you are underthinking it for not realising that he will have to explain his name at least once a day for the next 80 years- or until he changes it to Tom.

Particularly as the books will be forgotten about in 5 years time max.

Loved the quoted conversation. Wish I'd called one of my kiddos Hagrid or something so we could have had a deep n meaningful conversation this bedtime instead of a couple of rounds of the gruffalo.

Oh, I dunno. My DD is Francesca, not exactly an "out there" name and the misspellings we've had have been glorious. Fran-Cheskia????

But if people can't manage Francesca you know it's their fault!

If it's any consolation to you, my real name is slightly unusual. I admit I did get fed up spelling it out for people but as I got older I realised how cool it was to be different. The important thing is make your son realise how special he is and you celebrated him by naming him after something you loved.

Quite often there is more than one way to spell some of the simpler, phonetic sounding names though:
Ann Anne
Lyn Lynn Lynne
Jane Jayne
Isobel Isabel Isobelle Isabelle
Jackie Jacqui
Katie Katy

etc