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Can this be for real?

(49 Posts)
gracesmum Thu 29-Nov-12 10:42:28

Some sleb - obviously instantly forgettable - has said their expected baby son is to be called Phaedra - I wonder how much he will enjoy growing uo with a girl's name?
Do you remember a somg called "A girl named Sue"?

Grannybags Thu 29-Nov-12 10:38:18

I've met Robin Hood smile

Anne58 Thu 29-Nov-12 09:26:55

And of course there's Goodluck Jonathan, which I always think sounds like a race horse.

annodomini Wed 28-Nov-12 23:48:14

In Kenya, some parents of an evangelical persuasion would have their daughters christened with biblical names, considering African names unchristian. My favourites - in the same class at our school - were Truphena and Taphrosa. Another couple called their poor child Beauty. She wisely changed it to Betty when she left school.

Anne58 Wed 28-Nov-12 23:28:59

I've met an Albert Ross and a poor chap who really was registered as Ivor Stiff, who always asked people to cal him John, which was his middle name. (I know it's correct because he had to produce his driving licence and passport for ID purposes.) At the same event were a family called Veryard. I always wanted to introduce them to John and his wife, but just couldn't trust myself. "Oh good evening Mr & Mrs Veryard, you must come and meet the Stiffs"

Hunt Wed 28-Nov-12 23:17:15

it's not only the first names that can be embarassing but the combination of first and surname. I have had children in my classes that were called Albert Hall, Theresa Green and Victoria plum.

Anne58 Wed 28-Nov-12 23:09:13

It could have been worse nanaej imagine Cockfosters and The Ballspond Road...

nanaej Wed 28-Nov-12 23:03:48

absent I was not suggesting that Hamilton and Hallam as middle names were on a par with #!

Just worried that they will tun out to be tearaways! grin

Ana Wed 28-Nov-12 23:02:58

From what I've read, it's only the offensive element which applies. Who can judge what name might be potentially embarrassing to a child? I'd have been embarrassed if I'd been named Gertrude! But another child might not have been.

Greatnan Wed 28-Nov-12 22:56:21

I believe a registrar has the discretion to refuse a name which is offensive or might cause embarrassment to the child.

absentgrana Wed 28-Nov-12 19:40:36

Nelliemoser They will change their names, as soon as they are old enough, to Sue, Sally, Diana, Kate, John, James, William, Michael. Or if they are really flamboyant, to Dolores and Anton. grin

Nelliemoser Wed 28-Nov-12 19:35:17

Names? How about these they are ones I have seen.


Male: Diezzal; Jet li; J Jay; Te Jay; Joad; Deejhion; Garrick; Penda, Tor;

Female: Telesha; Hatherleigh; Reigho; Tameka; Princess; Cayla Jorjia-Marie;
Kira-Tai.

Crimea; ?? Gender.

Oh dear I feel really sorry for the children who have to spell these names and will have to go through life having to explain to everyone else how it is spelt.

Anne58 Wed 28-Nov-12 19:21:37

No, it's worse they actually did it!

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7522952.stm

Anne58 Wed 28-Nov-12 19:19:41

That is awful ! I seem to remember a story about parent who wanted to name their daughter " Talulah does the hula in Hawaii" and I think the registrar refused.

absentgrana Wed 28-Nov-12 19:16:05

Those are second names nanaej, no one even needs to know what they are. It's really not in the same league as Hashtag.

nanaej Wed 28-Nov-12 19:13:03

My 2 DGSs have middle names that are road names of significance to their parents.

petallus Wed 28-Nov-12 18:26:34

Benedict Cumberbatch

absentgrana Wed 28-Nov-12 16:47:54

Lots of European countries have whole lists of banned names – some of them excessively dictatorial and others quite sensible. New Zealand also has rules about the names you can use – Prince, Princess, Earl, Count, etc. are all banned.

vampirequeen Wed 28-Nov-12 16:44:47

Some parents are just plain stupid.

Ana Wed 28-Nov-12 16:39:09

I don't think there are any restrictions on names in the UK, unless deemed to be offensive. Other countries are not so lax - I think France has quite strict rules.

Lilygran Wed 28-Nov-12 16:37:31

Oh, Greatnan how unkind but how true!

Greatnan Wed 28-Nov-12 16:32:20

I have heard of registrars refusing to accept stupid names - of course nobody can stop parents using them unofficially. How about Harper 7? If the poor girl ever gets to be at school in Britian, she will be nick-named Harpic.
I once read a very interesting survey which showed that children who were in special units for very disturbed children often had unusual names, such as Marmaduke. Perhaps they become disturbed because their parents are cruel idiots.

london Wed 28-Nov-12 16:32:15

absent nothink will suprise me with names these days hmm

absentgrana Wed 28-Nov-12 16:28:17

It is reported that parents have announced on Facebook that they have named their new baby daughter, who "weys" 8 lb, Hashtag. Surely this is a joke.