Can I Make My Family Accept My Baby's Name?

Your name is "Bill", what do you know about the experience of people who have names you deem "bizarre"? Oh, wait, you were the one doing the taunting, I suppose.

In any event, Bodhi is not a bizarre name and is not particularly uncommon depending on where one lives. An easy way to address the "weird name" fear of the family at large is to use a name more common to one's culture as a middle name. That way one can gently and pleasantly continue to refer to one's child by his/her given name, and the relatives can secretly console themselves with the thoughts that 1) the parents aren't completely "weird" and 2) at least the child has a "normal" name he/she can choose to use later.

I have to agree with you. I've known a number of people with really outlandish names, and they ALL were hassled and mocked throughout school. Many of them hit college and went by their middle names, or made up a nickname for themselves. Some learned to love and embrace their name, but honestly most didn't.

Ultimately, though, to each their own, and you can't let your family rule what you do.

Bodhi well seems that was the name of Cheyenne Bodhi in the old western Television series. Clint Walker played that beautiful man 'Bodhi, my name is Cheyenne Bodhi.

OK this is 2010 and uncommon names are now very common. I grew up with an unusual name. Dalene is my name and although the teachers often did not know how to pronounce it I did not get harassed at school because of it. I love my name I love not being a Jennifer or Kristen. These were two very popular names when I was growing up you always had to say Jennifer S. or Kristen with the dark hair. I had no prejudgments made about me due to my name because who and what is a Dalene like? I guess you have to meet me to find out. I say enjoy your Bodhi and the name.

I grew up with taunting over the fairly common name "Alicia." No one is safe so basing what to name your child on what his classmates will say is useless and pretty pathetic that you're letting other people's opinions influence such a huge decision. I survived the teasing and I think it made me stronger. In fact, I wish I had a more unusual name, because then I wouldn't constantly be a repeat.

I grew up in the US with a Hungarian name. While it was annoying to hear it mispronounced all the time, I never regretted the name. I loved that I had a unique name when there were 4 Bens and 6 Emilys in my class. Kids occasionally teased, but I always felt that was far outweighed by the fact that I never had to change my name to distinguish myself from a classmate.

I have an unusual name (which I don't post online) and grew up loving it and hating it depending on the situation. Now I realize that all the boneheaded comments I received growing up were the problem of insensitive lunkheads and not mine or my parents' fault. Children with unusual names often grow into confidant and extroverted adults because their names spark conversation and comments that must be addressed. I taught for a number of years and have seen just about every name and every conceivable spelling of "common" names and I think it's great! So, Bill, control yourself when judging others. (And my name isn't 'trendy' or 'made up' or from some celebrity. It's a Gaelic/Celtic name, from what I understand...just hardly every used.)

Linda --- in about 2 seconds on Google you would have learned that Cheyenne's last name was "Bodie" not "Bohdi."

I have an unusual name, which I got picked on for when I was little. As I grew up, I got to love my name and embrace how different it is, and how it represents me as a unique individual. If your name is "Bill" then obviously you know nothing about this subject, so please quit talking.

Wow, Bill, judge much? I have two girls with weirdly spelled names. There are meaningful stories behind why, and they love the stories, love their names, and have good senses of humor about misspellings and the occasional mispronunciation. They are old enough now - one teen, one almost - to have very strong opinions about something like this, and never once have they wished we'd given them different names. They are lovely, popular, kind kids - fortunately, they haven't gone to school with bullies and jerks like, apparently, you did.

Bill;
Excellent, you took the words right out of my computer. I too have had it with names dejour or the self thought witty ones.

Inspid is the name "Bill" because you do not start out as a "Bill" you start out as a "William." So who couldn't make up their mind on what to call their son...Seems your parents did so...Same goes for the first name of "Richard" which winds up as "Dick." At least they know what name they chosenb for their son to use instead of a "twofer" like yourself who probadly even has a middle name to boot...As an old comedian use to say...Err, you can call me Jay, you can call me Ray but ya cant call me Johnson.

"bill" you're IGNORANT ... "tatoo"
try t a t t o o

Its very possible to love grandchildren that you wouldn't have chosen that name. That comes with being the parent, you had your turn.

That's ridiculous! Children get taunted for everything from their names, to how tall/short they are, to how skinny/fat they are, to how many freckles they have, to how curly their hair is...you name it. If a child can figure out a way to taunt someone based on anything about them, they will. It's part of childhood. My name, Tara, was unusual when I was growing up, although I see more than a few around now. The taunt for my name "Tara" was "tear a piece of paper"....lol and yes, when I was 5 years old it made me mad, but when I was 20 and people were still pronouncing my name wrong, I used that "taunt" to make people remember how my name is pronounced..lol. And honestly, now that I see more and more people named Tara, it's kind of sad because I as an adult I liked the uniqueness of it. And Bodhi is like Tara. It's not strange or weird, it's just unique. I'd NEVER name my child something as common as "Bill" though. Heck, even my dogs have names less common than that. I'm more of the mindset that a name is what distinguishes a person from everyone else. It should mean something beyond saying, "hey, my parents chose my name from a top ten list of baby names."

This is a ridiculouse statment. My mother never had any regrets about MY name. Unique names have been proven to give the child an egde in creative thoughts, and expressing that creativity. I was never ridiculed for my name and I grew up always being remembered. Who doesn't want to be remembered? People who are against unusual names are close minded and frankly don't go on to be anything other than just another face in the crowd, another regular Joe on the resume. I would like my child to be unique, different, creative and successful. You see a strength and an obligation to do better with such an outstanding name. Also, what name could be more 'insipid' than BILL?

Naming my twins last year was the single most difficult task due to outside influences. From the beginning I wanted "Dylan & Delilah"...the polite responses were great but the family input ranged from negative to outright obstinate refusal to allow my daughter to be named "Delilah". After much research and alternative ideas, the Father and I compromised on "Lila".
Though I didn't appreciate the strongarm tactics, the decision to name our daughter "Lila" was ultimately a better decision with no negative biblical conotation. Additionaly it has two great meanings in Hebrew, honoring my Fathers heritage as well as receiving compliments from all who ask.
For those who cave to baby naming pressure...give it a bit of thought (no one wants their kid to be a target in school) but maintain your resolve as the decision is ultimately yours alone.
FYI, even after their first Birthday folks wondered why I didn't spell Lila "Lyla" so they could share the cutesy look of " Dylan and Lyla". Go with your gut but don't make your children spectacles like those in Hollywood...

Because heaven knows the world needs more Mikes, Toms and Bills. Maybe we should just give people #'s. Then idiots couldn't be offended by idividuality.

"Bizarre and insipid". . . oxymoron.