Parents with kids who have 'weird' names.

[I Need Coffee]

I am due to have my little boy tomorrow, and we haven't decided what to name him. We are going to wait to see what he looks like. We are either going to go with Silas or Cassius (Cash-us).

I love spunky, old, classic names...but lately have been getting SO MUCH crap for both names, even though I think they are strong and spunky.

So moms/dads who have kiddos with 'different' names, how do you deal with the criticism? Have you noticed that after your child was born that people were more accepting of their name?

[hildare]

Originally Posted by I Need Coffee 

I am due to have my little boy tomorrow, and we haven't decided what to name him. We are going to wait to see what he looks like. We are either going to go with Silas or Cassius (Cash-us).

I love spunky, old, classic names...but lately have been getting SO MUCH crap for both names, even though I think they are strong and spunky.

So moms/dads who have kiddos with 'different' names, how do you deal with the criticism? Have you noticed that after your child was born that people were more accepting of their name?

we named dd after my grandmother.  it is absolutely a "spunky, old" name.  and one that i think people don't typically view as 'pretty,' but it suits her.  i am SO glad we named her what we did.  no one is going to criticize your child's name after you name your child the name.  i like both your choices as well. 

once i went to a consignment store with dd and she was playing with something so i walked away.. and then i called to her a few times (yeah, i'm that mom) and an old lady happened to be in the store.. and she came up to me with tears in her eyes.. because that was her name, too.    don't be afraid to have the non traditional name or the old timey name.. you might just start a trend. 

[I Need Coffee]

Originally Posted by hildare 

we named dd after my grandmother.  it is absolutely a "spunky, old" name.  and one that i think people don't typically view as 'pretty,' but it suits her.  i am SO glad we named her what we did.  no one is going to criticize your child's name after you name your child the name.  i like both your choices as well. 

once i went to a consignment store with dd and she was playing with something so i walked away.. and then i called to her a few times (yeah, i'm that mom) and an old lady happened to be in the store.. and she came up to me with tears in her eyes.. because that was her name, too.    don't be afraid to have the non traditional name or the old timey name.. you might just start a trend. 

Thank you, that makes me feel better :) That is so cute about the little old lady in the store!!!

[Alyantavid]

 nm

Edited by Alyantavid - 5/27/11 at 12:37pm

[Areia]

IMy DD's first name is traditional so we haven't had this problem, but my friends who thought they might get a hassle from their families  wouldn't discuss names with those people before the baby was born, but their choice (Sadie)  got out and their standard reply was "Well, we really like Sadie so that's what we're going with."      I don't think anyone has said anything since the baby was born. 

[sosurreal09]

MY DD"s name is Polish and unique in the US. Everyone wa sup in arms about us naming her it but now all we get are compliments.

[mumkimum]

Both our dd's have unique names - we didn't tell people ahead of time, and haven't faced much 'disapproval'.  

Most people comment on how 'unique and beautiful' the names are (whether they actually like them or not), and only once did someone seem to comment negatively about 'how hard it will be for these children with unusual names to learn how to spell them'.  

Really cute story PP, about the old lady.  And OP - I like your name choices.

[beenmum]

When I named my son his name, no one used it. Now it is the most popular name. Who knew.

My next one will have an odd name. I plan on naming her Everleigh if its a girls. And Easton. if its a boy. But first I gotta get pregnant God willing.

[frugalmum]

All of our kids have unusual names, but most of them are very pretty girl names which I think is a little different from an unusual boy name.  Our son's weird name can be shortened to a fairly common name.  We gave all of our kids very normal middle names in case they want to use those as adults. 

One thing to consider is that a weird name might affect their future job prospects.  I have known HR people who simply won't call job applicants with weird or unpronouncable names on their resume.  I know this is awful but it happens.

[Drummer's Wife]

Those names don't sound weird to me; Silas, especially, is fairly known, right? I love it, BTW. 

I have four kids - the two with "weirder" names are the ones we get the most compliments on.  They are named Denae and Lincoln (and oddly enough there are two kids in their school with the same names - so I guess they aren't as uncommon as I thought). 

[Chamomile Girl]

We didn't tell anyone DS's name before he was born, but we did warn people that it was not going to be common.  That got people thinking worst case senario so when they learned what it was they were ok with it (or at least acted like it). 

I do get lots of people asking for a repeat when I say DS's name (which by the way is Gwydion) and not everyone gets it right.  But meh.  Its also funny when we get calls from dr.s offices and such about our daughter Gwendolyn .  I guess they figured we misspelled our kid's name on the forms or something.

Like PPs have said folks who are willing to give you crap while you are pregnant are usually (almost always) good about zipping the lip when they are dealing with a flesh and blood baby.  I love my DS's name!  I can't imagine him as anything else. 

Go with what you love because it is your child and the name you give them is a gift.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by I Need Coffee 

Have you noticed that after your child was born that people were more accepting of their name?

Yes.

DS has a more unusual name, though I guess it's starting to become a little more widely used... it took a while for my parents to learn his name for some reason, but now they love it, although they more often use a 'common' nickname derived from his name because I guess it's just easier for them.

Everyone else comments on 'what a cool name' he has... I'm sure some people hate it but fortunately they keep their mouths shut. Some people mispronounce it and some think he is a girl (not sure if that's the name or his long hair though!)

When you're pregnant, it seems like everyone thinks they have a say in things. Once the kiddo is here, what's done is done so people seem to just accept it (whether it's the name or some other weird thing people want to influence!)

[Smokering]

DD's name is Rowan - it's not unusual at all here on MDC, but in New Zealand apparently it is. We had a few family members dislike it - they didn't say anything, but we found out months later (by which time they assured us they'd gotten over it - heh!). I had one friend respond very rudely, and insist that it must be "Roanne", because "we wouldn't do that to a child". Ookay.

Shopkeepers and so on are always asking what DD's name is, and when I say "Rowan" they usually look puzzled and I have to repeat it. After that the response is about 50/50 genuine enthusiasm and polite enthusiasm. :p Occasionally someone will say "I know a Rowan!", but it's usually a boy.

I don't care. I like it. :p

[Agatha_Ann]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

Originally Posted by I Need Coffee 

Have you noticed that after your child was born that people were more accepting of their name?

Yes.

DS has a more unusual name, though I guess it's starting to become a little more widely used... it took a while for my parents to learn his name for some reason, but now they love it, although they more often use a 'common' nickname derived from his name because I guess it's just easier for them.

Everyone else comments on 'what a cool name' he has... I'm sure some people hate it but fortunately they keep their mouths shut. Some people mispronounce it and some think he is a girl (not sure if that's the name or his long hair though!)

When you're pregnant, it seems like everyone thinks they have a say in things. Once the kiddo is here, what's done is done so people seem to just accept it (whether it's the name or some other weird thing people want to influence!)

This is exactly why we don't share names before the baby is born either. People seem to think when you are pregnant and you share a name you are actually asking them to share every negative thing they can think of about it. It is pretty rude if you ask me! I have never had a negative thing said to me about any of my kids names after they were born. The closest thing I hear is about my youngest is how people have noticed it is getting more common.

By the way OP, both your names were on our current baby's list! Silas made the top 5

[LynnS6]

When people ask what your soon-to-be-born child's name is going to be say "Rumplestiltskin" and smile.

Then name him whatever you like. Personally, both Silas and Cassius pass the "does it sound good when they're walking across the stage" test for me.

But even if they didn't, it's not my kid, it's not my business what you name it. If I were your relative, my only job would be to smile and say "Oh how nice. Isn't he cute?!" But there was a reason we didn't share our kids' names before they were born (they're both extremely traditional, by the way.) Once the baby is born, people will get used to the name. Once your baby develops a little personality, they'll associate the name with the baby and won't even think about it. I even got used to the name Serendipity for one of dd's classmates (until I realized that her name was Serenity and I'd just messed up!)

[cappuccinosmom]

eh. only a few cranky relatives had criticisms for us.

My kids have Ethiopian names.  Most people, even those who have trouble with pronunciation, are apologetic about it and rave about the cool meanings of the names.

[weliveintheforest]

Some relatives didn't like our son's name before we named him but once he was named it was accepted.  When we meet people out and about we get a lot of compliments on it.  His name is Cassius pronounced Cass-ee-us.  I don't consider Silas to be unusual and I'm sure people will get used to it quickly.  I already regret sharing our name choices because most people dislike my top choice and I am stubborn and don't want them to think their comments swayed me if I choose something else 

[nextcommercial]

I really like the name Silas, and don't think it sounds weird at all.  I can see it on a child and an adult.  Cassius isn't my favorite, but I don't think it's weird at all.  

It bugs me when people make up names and spellings.  Then, the child has to live their entire life saying "No   I-E-A-I-L" and every year they have to re-explain their name.   I met a girl name "Axieial" but, it was pronounced "Az-yeel".  (they were all born and raised here, so it wasn't a common name outside our country)  She spent the first month of every school year saying "no... Az Yeel... No, my Mom is a hippy.. it doesn't mean anything".   

However, if they'd spelled it better, the name really suited her.  

And, HUGE congratulations on your new little boy!!!!!

[SpiderMum]

My son will be named Oscar....which according to my MIL is "abnormal". I don't care what people think though....we like it, it's his name. Everyone else can deal.

I like your name choices, personally.

Oh and my daughter's name is Dani....not Danielle, not Danica....JUST DANI. People may not like that either, but I don't care.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Smokering 

DD's name is Rowan - it's not unusual at all here on MDC, but in New Zealand apparently it is

I LOVE the name Rowan!!! (my dh does not, hence, I don't have a little Rowan of my own).

The strange things about names and trends is that they change.

I have a DD named Alice, and at the time, there were no little Alice's. None. It was a weird old fashioned name. She's a teen now and it's getting to be a trendy because of Twilight. All it takes is one pretty vampire, and suddenly BAM, it's a pretty name for pretty girls.

Go for a name you love!

And yes, everyone will get quickly over it. Right now, there's not much else to talk about regarding the baby. Soon, there will be all sorts of news. They'll move on.

Besides, in a couple of years there might be a cute vampire with the name you pick and you could suddenly be seen as a trend setter.