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Original poster

Have I subjected my child to a lifetime of teasing?

77 replies

Willthisworknow · 03/03/2014 10:27

Hi I named my son Erin, a name which appeared in the boys name section of the baby book. I swear I did not know it was more popular as a girl name and I have done business with some Male Erin's across the seas. Anyway, son randomly said in a shop this this weekend that Erin's a girls name. I asked him who said that and he just said 'school' so I can only assume he's being teased. I told him it was both a girls and boys name, much like Ashley and robin. He didn't anything else but what do I do if it turns out to be a real issue? Would you change it to Aaron or use a middle name? I still like the name and it defines him but I don't want him to be miserable. He's 5. Any suggestions?

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squeaver · 04/03/2014 11:01

If it helps, I have heard the name Aaron being pronounced Erin.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 04/03/2014 11:05

I'm really tickled by the boy named Paris is now known as Dave comment. Two such very different names.

NellysKnickers · 04/03/2014 11:11

I have heard of boys called Erin. I prefer it as a boys name rather than a girls name. Do you remember Jackass? One of Jonny Knoxvilles mates was called Erin, he was hot!Ds1s name is spelt one way for a boy and one way for a girl, some people insist on spelling it the feminine ie way rather than with the masculine y. These people are twats!

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matana · 04/03/2014 12:28

Only ever heard it as a girl's name, sorry! But then I have recently been hearing my ds's name (Ellis) being attributed to girls!

bearhug · 04/03/2014 13:25

5 seems to be a problematic age for the girl/boy teasing thing. I remember (from aeons ago when I was young!) that this phase pases quite quickly though.

My 5 y/o DS does ballet and got teased for a while. We were able to show him some very strong and athletic dancers though, which helped him stand up for hmself.

In my view helping with coping mechanisms would be better than changing your DS's name.

MillyONaire · 04/03/2014 13:30

I have heard of Erin as a boys name BUT it was spelled Aaron - pronounced Erin though. It is popular with that spelling pornounced Aran but this boy was definitely Erin - he'd be in his 20's now.

MillyONaire · 04/03/2014 13:31

that would be PROnounced I meant!

AgaPanthers · 04/03/2014 13:37

Isn't Erin Brockovich a rather well-known lady, who had a movie made about her, starring Julia Roberts?

yourlittlesecret · 04/03/2014 13:37

I have to say that being teased about your name can be relentless and goes on right through to almost adult. Everyone thinks they are the first person to have noticed that your name is unusual. I clearly remember a chorus of boys taunting me when I was 14.

If you are ever going to change it do it now.

ElkTheory · 04/03/2014 14:03

I've only ever heard of Erin as a girl's name, so it is interesting to note that quite a few people on this thread know of male Erins.

Unisex names seem very popular these days, so you are right on trend, OP. If you are bothered (or your son is), you could always tweak the spelling a bit.

BTW, I recently encountered a little girl named James. She was a lovely little thing.

Hippymama · 04/03/2014 14:40

I have a friend whose son is called Erin. I had never heard of it being used as a boy's name before I met her, but it does suit her son. She has another son who has an unusual name too and again, it suits him perfectly. Don't let one comment change your perception :)

littleballerina · 04/03/2014 14:43

Don't change it, its a lovely name! Bullies will find something wrong wrong name, wrong bag, wrong height etc. Make him proud of his lovely name.

MsJupiter · 04/03/2014 15:16

I think it's a bit late to change it but give him some tools to cope with questions. For example, ask if there are any boys called Sam, Alex, Jo or Jamie in his class? All used for boys and girls.

Finding a few examples of boys called Erin may also help.

These days there are so many unusual names out there and names from different cultures, I don't think it will be the same as 20 or 30 years ago where you might stick out like a sore thumb.

Growing up I knew a Sri Lankan boy called Dyan, we thought it was Diane when he first said it but apart from some surprise there was no bullying or teasing as I remember.

haggardolebat · 04/03/2014 17:05

I absolutely love Erin as a boys name! Keep it and encourage him.. it's gorgeous, really.

if I had another boy I'd definitely (force) suggest Erin.

LunchLadyWannabe · 04/03/2014 22:07

My dd is called Devon

If i say i have a child called Devon, people automatically think i have a son.

BambooBear13 · 05/03/2014 22:33

I love it

TheReluctantCountess · 05/03/2014 22:37

I've only known it as a girl's name, but i think it works as a boy's name because it is such a rare name.

Theyaremysunshine · 05/03/2014 23:21

Perhaps you could ask the class teacher to do something about names, where they originate from and the use of names for both sexes.

I was teased horribly at school over my name. I changed it age 7 and refused to answer to it. It was a horrible time I still remember now. Consequently my kids have very "safe" names. Erin, though lovely, and I see no reason why any name shouldn't be applied to both sexes, is predominantly a girls name. Your son will need to have a great deal of self belief and confidence to pull it off IMHO. I'm really not trying to be unkind, just speaking as someone who struggled with a difficult name choice. There is of course always something to be teased about but your name isn't something you can shy away from.

You've already said you'd let him change it which is great. Try re educating his peers though, might work.

Famzilla · 06/03/2014 11:16

Probably outing myself here, but my middle name is "sunshine". Had my fair share of comments growing up but it's still just a name.

I think it's a lovely name for a boy.

Sovaysovay · 06/03/2014 17:35

Erin is from Eireann, a form of Eiré, 'Ireland'. It's almost exclusively used as a girl's name. In some US dialects Aaron and Erin can sound exactly the same, but I don't think that's the case here.

This isn't like Leslie or Jocelyn, that used to be male names and are now female.

He's just going to have to wing it. If he ignores the bullies they'll soon move on to another kid with a sillier name.

TheScience · 06/03/2014 17:42

I've never met a male Erin, but do know male Eran and Orin if you want other options.

TartanBed · 07/03/2014 19:58

I have been through this recently with my son Jesse. Kids at school saying he had a girls name etc. I had a book made by identity direct including his name as a boy character and asked the teacher to read out in story time. The kids now think he has a cool superhero name. Teach him to have a bite back line 'Well at least my name is different, I know 7 kids in the school called...'

NotCitrus · 07/03/2014 22:12

I know an Eren who had the odd bit of "heh, you have a girls' name" - and he only moved from Turkey to England for 6th form - but a quick retort shut people up, usually "Do I look like a girl? Are you just really stupid?"

Practice a few comebacks with him but don't worry.

Jaffakake · 07/03/2014 22:18

I knew a bloke called Erin. He was American & we were studying in Germany. Tbh it never crossed my mind, he was just 'Erin' to me. Kids will always find something to pick on, if it's not this it'll be something else. People who are friends won't give a monkeys.

NK2b1f2 · 07/03/2014 22:21

I know a girl called Morgan which takes getting used to (in a class with two other male Morgans). But a boy called Erin sounds lovely to me. I would definitely not change it.

My older dd is annoyed because there is no one else in the whole school with her name (she likes having several classmates called Emily, Isabella, Olivia, Amelia, Charlotte) but I think when she gets older she will appreciate not being part of a pack.

My younger dd has what I thought was an unusual name but now has two other girls with the same name, different spelling, in her class. I am pleased because at last her teachers know how to pronounce her name!

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