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Original poster

Baby Name ? Controversial

229 replies

2021Mum · 26/12/2020 20:36

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 :(

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AKissAndASmile · 26/12/2020 21:21

Yeah it's pretty awful

ShinyGreenElephant · 26/12/2020 21:23

I like it but it would depend on the child which obviously you can't predict. It could cause stress for a shyer, more introverted child as would likely cause stupid people to make jokes which not everyone would like. I like the Rebecca Isabelle suggestion then just call her Rebel all the time. Like all the Edwards who are only ever known as Teddy but have a different option for when they're older

Topseyt · 26/12/2020 21:23

I think I agree with your MIL. Unfortunately.

I'm not a fan of these unique names. The child has to live with it, as does the adult that they grow into,big they don't try to change it by then.

GlitterBiscuits · 26/12/2020 21:24

It's the name of a neighbours dog. The neighbours are 'controversial' in the village as their garden has a sofa and a tv and several broken cars.

Birdladybird · 26/12/2020 21:27

I like it

PancakesAndSyrup · 26/12/2020 21:27

I don't dislike it, but I can see it causing potential embarrassment for her growing up. So for that reason I wouldn't use it as anything other than a nickname.

scissorspaperrock · 26/12/2020 21:27

I just thought I would point out that Rebel Wilson has a law degree....

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 26/12/2020 21:28

Well I think it's OK as long as you have a cause... Grin

Hoppinggreen · 26/12/2020 21:29

I’m with your mil
However, it’s your choice

GeorgiaGirl52 · 26/12/2020 21:32

I LOVE IT! I think it is perfect. If you have a second daughter, I would suggest Dixie!

Pandabuzz · 26/12/2020 21:32

@2021Mum if you’d like Rebby as a nickname have you considered Rebecca/Rebekah?

Gensola · 26/12/2020 21:33

Is this for real?! Sometimes I think people name their children as if they are dolls not actual humans.
Imagine if someone called their child Glutton or Tramp and then said oh I can’t see why anyone associates it with the “other” meaning.

ofwarren · 26/12/2020 21:33

Rebel Wilson is actually called Melanie Elizabeth Bownds.
I don't hate the name but like a previous poster, I'd worry that they would be really shy and not live up to the name.

waltzingparrot · 26/12/2020 21:33

I would just name her Rebby. Rebby and Rebel are both unusual names but Rebel does have a meaning, and a loaded one at that.

elenacampana · 26/12/2020 21:34

I quite like it but I think you have to really consider the person you’re giving to and have a good think about what’s best for her.

Yoshinori · 26/12/2020 21:34

I like it but I wouldn't use it.

It draws up negative stereotypes if I'm being honest like working class, uneducated etc

Theaspidistraiswilting · 26/12/2020 21:34

I love it! Am a bit jealous actually that I didn't think of it for one of mine...

Oreservoir · 26/12/2020 21:34

I really like the name.
My dd’s name was unusual 30 years ago, my parents hated it but they soon got used to it.
Stick to your guns, it’s a lot better than some mainstream names imo.

SockQueen · 26/12/2020 21:36

I don't like it. It's putting unnecessary and possibly undesirable character attributes on her. If she does turn out to be rebellious, her name will make people expect the worst; and if she's more conforming then it just won't fit.

FWIW Rebel Wilson's original name is not Rebel, it's Melanie. She chose to change it. You're not giving your daughter that choice.

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 26/12/2020 21:37

I hate it and would worry that it would be limiting—hard to be taken seriously as a lawyer or many other things with a name like that. If you’re desperate to use it, why not think middle name where “uniqueness” is more forgivable?

nimbuscloud · 26/12/2020 21:37

It’s not you who will have to live with the name.

ViceVersa · 26/12/2020 21:38

I’ve never heard it as name before but I actually really like it but then then I also momentarily liked the names Chaos for boy when I was pregnant! If you love it then use it.

FTMF30 · 26/12/2020 21:39

I quite like it and assumed it was a name anyway (e.g. Rebel WilsonBlush).

Also, I really don't think the definition of the word is such a bad thing. Better to be a rebel than a docile conformist.

2bazookas · 26/12/2020 21:41

"Rebel" is a social label that a child or woman might find hard to live with. The fact is, you might call her REB but she'll be Rebel at school, on job applications, on every formal record. Endlessly having to explain it, hearing the same jokes a million times, being teased because either she is an unruly pain in the arse , or she's a shy pacifist who wants to run a yoga retreat.

     Don't lumber her.  If you want to call her Reb  or Rebby, make it short for Rebecca.