Would people really not use a name that they love, just because the kid MIGHT get teased?

Question

My favorite names are

Sybil

Iris

Melisende

Capella

Cecily

Jane

Gideon

Rollo

Raoul

But everytime I mention any of those people are like "Jane? really?" Or "you can't name your kid Melisende, it's too wierd" or "Capella-Crapella" or Sybil is no good because it makes people think of that movie with the woman who had multiple personalities, or that they sound like pet names.

I honestly think that all kids get teased. You just have to teach your kids how to deal with it, and not put up with that c**p. If they don't get teased for having a strange name, then they will get teased for wearing glasses, or having freckles, or being too fat, too thin, too tall or too skinnny.

I don't think we should forsake all of these nice older/uncommon names just because some other persons rat-faced little brat wants to be a jerk. Soon we'll be genetically engineering kids so that they have perfect un-mockable physical characteristics as well.

And then they go an suggest something like Madison, or McKensie for girls which are surnames that mean "SON of..." or some weird unpronouncable spelling. Why do people think their kids are not going to get teased for something like that?

Don't you think we're all being a bit silly by not picking a name, or ridiculing another person's kids name, just because the other kids MIGHT not like it?

Answer 1

No, I don't think it is silly.  You are right...all kids get teased, so why would I give them ammo by naming my child a name that I know will get him/her criticized by others?  Kids have it hard enough without adding fuel to the fire.  The name should be something that you love within reason for the child's sake.

Answer 2

I think most of your names are lovely.  I adore Iris, Melisende (so medieval!), Cecily, and Jane.  Capella and Sybil aren't my style, but I don't think they're bad.  As far as your boys' names go, Gideon has been my favorite for years (though since my husband's last name starts with a G, I'm considering other options).  Rollo and Raoul aren't bad, though they're not personal favorites.  

I don't find any of your names particularly tease-worthy, except possibly Capella.  Since I'd never heard it before, it made me think immediately of singing a cappella.  I suppose Rollo could make someone think of the candy.

It is true that if a child wants to tease another child, he'll find something to pick on -- if it's not the name, it will be the clothes, the hair, the glasses, or something else.  However, it's also good to consider whether the name you're choosing has an obvious source of teasing already built in (as Rollo perhaps does).  After all, we do want our children to like their names as much as we do, and if they are mercilessly teased for them, they probably won't like them, no matter how beautiful the names are.  Just choosing an uncommon name, though, doesn't make it tease-worthy.  I've been thinking about it for the last five minutes, and I can't find any way of teasing Cecily, Sybil, or Melisende, for example.

As you've already pointed it, it's interesting to consider which COMMON names would strike someone as tease-worthy if we weren't so used to them.  Cameron could easily be construed as camera, MadiSON could be teased for being a boy, Isabella could form the basis for countless questions ("Is a bell a musical instrument?  Is a bell a-ringing?" etc.), Ethan could be called E-fat, Noah could be called Yes-uh, Gabriel could be teased for being g*y, Aiden could be teased for having AIDS, Dylan could be called a pickle, and Sophie/Sophia could be called "soapy" or "sofa."  It is true that children are more likely to make fun of a name they're not used to hearing, but just being uncommon doesn't make a name tease-worthy.

The only name I love that I probably wouldn't use because of its teasing potential is Ashley... on a boy.  While I can get around the fact that it's currently a top-20 girls' name, I'm afraid his little classmates wouldn't be able to.  Since 6- and 7-year-olds would not be aware of the name's masculine history, he probably would be in for some teasing.  Of course, his classmates may tease him anyway, but I'm sure they'll come up with plenty of ways to do it on their own... they don't need my assistance, and I'm certainly not going to give it to them!

Answer 3

Melisande is a name.. Melisende is misspelled... Raoul is ok and Jane so are Iris and Cecily..  Capella I would not give a daughter as a name.. that would be something she could be teased about and why hurt a kids feelings.. I would say .. I like this name but then I would also think what will others think and my kid will have to live with this name.. so I would make a selection and ask some good friends and family their opinion which names they like and which might sound strange... then I would think about what's best for my child and keep those names such as Capella in mind as a creative idea.. but I would not name my daughter by that name..

There is also nothing wrong with Gideon or Rollo but they belong more into the middle ages..

Raoul is best for a boy from the names you chose as that name is still used today.. and with Jane I would use another name...

Lily Jane, Sarah Jane, Melissa Jane,  Melisande is ok.. not Melisende.. the name Melisande exists...Iris is ok.. Iris Rose and Cecily... Sybil I find a bit too boring and Capella is the only name I would say.. no.. that will get a girl teased...

http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/...

Answer 4

I will NEVER tell people the names that I've chosen for our baby until the baby is born. People come with preconceived notions about baby names and if often ruins your perception of the name. Just decide on a name for the baby-- the one that you like the BEST. Then, once the baby is born, announce it proudly. People will really learn to love it. It works-- promise.

P.S. I like Iris, Jane, and Sybil. And, Gideon. :) Good luck!

Answer 5

a kid is not a pet mouse, you dont name them for your own amusement

you might say its silly to make fun of someone's name but it's a reality and if you name your son cornelius you're signing him up for a bad time

Answer 6

well - the Madison thing- because the average person doesn't know Madison means the son of, let alone a kinder gardener