'Stranger's six-word reaction to my baby's name floored me – I might change it'

19 June 2024 , 08:56

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The mum is second-guessing her baby name choice (stock photo) (Image: Sarah Mason)

Choosing a baby name is a big decision.

Picking out the moniker your child will use for the rest of their life isn't an easy task. You don't want to choose something you might get bored of and family, friends, and even strangers will inevitably give their opinions on it.

One new mum admitted she's having "doubts" over her son's name nine months after he was born – because of a comment made by a complete stranger.

The mum said her son's name is Gideon, and while she does like it now, there were "a lot of disagreements" in choosing it and she had "doubts early on" about whether she wanted to commit to it.

Those doubts came rushing back recently when she took her son for a walk and met an "old lady" who asked if she could say hi to the little one and began asking the mum questions. When she told the woman her son's name, she was met with a six-word response that made her question everything – "Oh ... are you keeping that name?"

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In a post on Reddit, the mum said: "I was a bit taken aback but assured her that, yes, that's his name. But she didn't stop there. She continued with, 'Well I'm sure if he wants to change it later you'll let him.' And then walked away?? Has anyone else had something like this happen before?"

The woman went on to add that she didn't think her son's name was "too out there" even if it is a little bit unusual, but asked commenters if his name was "really that bad".

And commenters were quick to reassure the mum her son has a "good name", and that the woman who commented on it was "rude". One person said: "Gideon is a fine name but it doesn’t even matter, no one should say something like that to you even if you name your son Flamingo or something – it's none of that woman’s business."

While a third posted: "Gideon is a great name! It is very high on my list if I have a boy. My best friend is currently pregnant with a boy and I suggested Gideon to her and she also loves it and might use it. I know it is easier said than done, but try to forget those unnecessary and hurtful comments. You picked a wonderful name!"

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Zahna Eklund