Baby Name ? Controversial

[2021Mum]

I’ve just found out I’m expecting a baby girl. My partner and I plan on calling our little girl Rebel with the intention she will be Rebby for short after a very close friend. My family love the name and I was going to keep it a secret but my MIL found out my mum knew and pestered me to tell her. She hates the name (part of the reason I kind of didn’t want to tell her) and now I’m having second thoughts on a name we have loved for a long time. Is it such a bad name? She says people will just automatically assume ‘rebel’ as in troublemaker :(

Your baby, your choice of name.

It was rude of your MIL to say she hates the name but you really shouldn’t have told anyone.

If you like it; use it!

I work in childcare and I love names that aren't popular or that I haven't heard before

It's up to you completely but I really, really dislike the name. You are naming an adult woman as well as a baby.

Would you like to be called Rebel? It's a very unusual name, and I suspect very few would actually go through life without changing it or resenting their parents for it at some point. I'm not going to say it's a bad name, but I don't think it's going to be fun constantly hearing jokes about your name.

Perhaps it would be better suited as a middle name, she can still have the nickname Rebby, but will have a more conventional name to fall back on.

I actually quite like it, but i'm not sure people will be able to overlook the meaning of the word unfortunately.

It’s obviously your choice, but if you’re looking for opinions: I’m not a fan of it. But then, you might not like the girls’ names I like! Don’t doubt yourself just because of your MIL’s opinion or a stranger’s on the internet.

She says people will just automatically assume ‘rebel’ as in troublemaker

Is she hard of understanding? No one assumes that a Daisy is a flower or that a Tracey traces things all day.

It's fab. Use it!

Rebecca Isabel (rebel or rebbie for short)
Gives lots of options in the future

I quite like it. I don't think I would be brave enough to use it but I'd think it cool if my daughter told me about her new friend rebel.

I would think of rebel Wilson tho. I don't like rebby tho. I'd go for belle. 😀

I'm not a huge fan of unusual names but I really don't think it's as bad as she's saying and it'll be a name alot of people are familiar with because of Rebel Wilson. I'd say go with it if you want to.

Also, this is why I wouldn't tell anyone our name until they're born, by then it's too late for anyone to have an opinion! 😂

Yes it's awful

My neighbours cat is called Rebel. He’s pretty cute.

Would I use the name for my child? No.

I wouldn't say anything if I simply disliked a name.

But I would if I thought using a name was actively unkind, and this would be.

Rebel is dreadful. Some people will see it as a negative trait.

Many won't, but even then it could be very hard for your daughter to live with. What if she's totally unrebellious? It would seem absurd, and she could be horribly embarrassed.

Personally I think it's a bit of a silly name, especially for an adult. Can you imagine your adult daughter introducing herself at a job interview for a serious role?

Personally I wouldn't chose it, it doesn't have a particularly nice connotation, does it?

It's more of a description than a name, like she's a rebel.......

I'm not a fan. Could you use it as a middle name?

Probably a ‘marmite’ name op. Might be a bit difficult to live with. But you can’t please everyone.

I did associate it with the description as soon as I read it. I guess it depends how tough your skin is, and how much you care about other peoples opinions. With unique names come opinions, can you deal with them? X

Totally your choice.

I can see many people disliking it, particularly the older generation.

It is really bad in my opinion yes, and will just be a source of hassle for your dd. I am not surprised MIL is objecting, even the most hands off MIL would feel obliged to do try and step in I think!

Of course people will associate the name with rebel as in someone who rebels, that is literally what the word means and it is almost exclusively used as a word in that way and not as a name. If it was a really common name it might become more divorced from the original meaning but it isn’t.

I'm 33 and I hate it. Sorry wouldn't usually comment to say I hate a name but I wouldn't like to be called that!!!

If you like it use it but do consider her future and remember that people are not all kind.
I really dislike it.

Rebecca Isabel with Rebel as a nickname is a brilliant suggestion.

What if she’s quiet, shy and a total conformist?

Or decides to be a barrister? Or a teacher? Or a nun? Or a funeral director? Or politician?

It’s a loaded name. There’s a hell of a weight of expectation there. I’d not like to have to live up to a name like that. And I’m known as a total rebel so that’s saying something.

OP, can you imagine Rebel as a Dr or lawyer? I think people sometimes choose their child's name for themselves, rather than really thinking about the person who has to live with it.