Woman Thinks Kids Are Not Cruel Enough To Bully Her Kid For Her Name, Gets A Harsh Reality Check
We’ve all heard the phrase, “What’s in a name?” But if you ask someone stuck with an awkward or bizarre name, their answer might be, “A lot, actually!” A name is one of the most lasting gifts parents give their child, shaping first impressions and even their self-confidence. So, when parents pick a name that raises eyebrows, it’s no wonder people might feel the need to speak up.
Speaking of unique names, one woman shared her dilemma after teasing her sister’s unusual choice of spelling for her baby’s name—and the backlash that followed. Keep reading to discover what happens when naming creativity crosses the line and family drama unfolds!
Pregnancy comes with its own set of exciting moments, like shopping for adorable baby clothes and picking out the perfect name
Image credis: Bree Evans (not the actual photo)
A woman shared how her honest critique of her sibling’s unique baby name choice led to her being uninvited from the baby shower and losing her role as godmother
Image credits: Colin Maynard (not the actual photo)
Image credits: coolerbeans1981
The author shared how her mom reacted to the unique baby name choice
With countless options available, choosing a name for a child can feel like an overwhelming task
When it comes to naming a child, every parent approaches it differently. For some, it’s about honoring family traditions or choosing a name that holds sentimental value, like their grandmother’s name. It’s exciting but also, let’s face it, a little nerve-wracking.
In the past, parents often stuck to a small pool of traditional names that reflected cultural norms. Laura Wattenberg, the author of The Baby Name Wizard and creator of Namerology.com, highlights a significant shift: “Over the past two generations, there’s been a revolution in the way American parents name their children.”
“It used to be about fitting in, so most parents would choose a name from a fairly limited set of typical baby names. That was what was realistic. That was what was expected. Today, the culture is more about standing out instead of fitting in, and the options are limitless.” However, with this creative freedom comes decision paralysis, as parents juggle the pressure to choose a name that is meaningful, unique, and reflective of their values.
That’s why it’s so important not to rush. Choosing a name isn’t just about aesthetics or trends—it’s about setting your child up for a lifetime of identity. Taking the time to weigh options, think about meanings, and say the name out loud a hundred times can help parents avoid any future regret.
Pamela Redmond, a globally recognized baby name expert, explains why this decision matters so much: “Your child’s name symbolizes the values and priorities most important in the world you create for your child. It sets the identity you present to the world and to yourself.”
Well, a name is more than just a label; it’s the first story you tell about your child and your family. So, while the process can feel overwhelming, it’s also a joyful opportunity to decide what matters most to you.
It’s always helpful to keep an open mind and involve loved ones in the decision-making process for meaningful input
So, while choosing a name, parents can think about how it will sound in daily life. Will it roll off the tongue easily during a soccer game cheer or when calling your child to dinner? Practicality matters!
It’s also worth considering nicknames. Some names naturally shorten into adorable nicknames, while others might invite the kind of teasing you’d rather avoid. You could try saying the name in your most tired, frustrated tone—because let’s face it, you’ll probably use it that way too!
Another tip is to think long-term. A name that’s cute for a baby might not feel as fitting for an adult in a professional setting. Sure, names like “Pixie” or “Bear” are trendy, but how will they look on a business card or a graduation diploma? Picking a name that grows with your child can save them from awkward moments in the future—or from rushing to legally change it when they turn 18.
And hey, if you want to get creative, why not involve the family in brainstorming? Just maybe not your toddler—unless you’re ready for suggestions like “Unicorn” or “Cupcake.”
In this case, the author’s sister decided to creatively spell their mother’s maiden name, Rafferty, as Raefarty. While it’s understandable that parents want to add a unique flair to their child’s name, the alternative spelling might lead to pronunciation challenges or unintended associations—like the author humorously pointing out “Little Miss Farty Rae.”
What do you think? Does the unique twist on a traditional name add charm, or does it risk being too unconventional? Do you know someone with a similarly unique name? It’s always fun to hear stories behind names and how they came to be!
Commenters sympathized with the author’s concerns, pointing out that they also immediately associated the name with “fart”
Image credits: Kelly Sikkema (not the actual photo)
The author revealed that her family members, including the baby’s dad, understood her point only after seeing the name written down
Image credits: Susana Coutinho (not the actual photo)
The woman’s sister had already ordered custom items featuring the name “Raefarty,” adding to the drama
The author mentioned that the family even staged an intervention where her sister’s best friend, a teacher, explained how names can make children targets for bullying
Image credits: Andrej Lišakov (not the actual photo)
In the end, the author’s sister decided to choose a different name for her baby
Image credits: coolerbeans1981
People online praised the new name, Theodora, as a beautiful and timeless choice
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This is one of the funniest things I've read on BP, yet. Literally coughing and crying about this. I'm howling! Her sister needs a brain transplant.
This name probably wouldn't have gotten approved in Sweden in the first place.. 👍
Load More Replies...Why would anyone call her a jerk? She saved this child. And her sister, hormones aside, is an idiot that is CRAVING attention. She would not let her husband see a wall she painted in their house? And he didn't just go look? Insanity. The creative names has to stop. People need to change their names to their stupid ideas and thrn let their friends, strangers, and school children roast their a $$es to see why the names are ridiculous. All names are made up, but some are just stupid.
OMG, YES! Let your child be special and unique on the merits of their character and achievements, not because they've been saddled with an attention-seeking 'I'm a star!' name.
Load More Replies...Nice save, and Theo as short name sounds good. I also vote for keeping the “farty” gifts for 18 years party!
I like "Theo" as well. I'm a Crystal who always wished people would call me Crys (I was, and still am, very "tomboyish" and not feminine/girly at all) but only my dad caught on that I really hated being called "Cryssie", which is what my mom and sister called me XD Even if OP's niece is more of a feminine girl, "Thea" is an option for a nickname and while it's not exactly a perfect contraction/shortening (whereas Theo is), it's still quite nice :)
Load More Replies...I snorted when I saw that and laughed so hard I scared the cat
Load More Replies...Ray Farty is horrible and a "farty party" is the only logical way to announce the baby shower. Theodora's not that bad. I always like the chipmunks, it's like a girl version of theodore. But combining the names of the parents, you know what that reminds me of? Freaking Twilight series when Bella took the names of her mother and her mother-in-law to make renesmee as a name for her daughter. And it's like okay, seriously?
Theodore/Theodora both derive from a Greek original meaning "gift of god".
Load More Replies...My friends nephew and his wife were going to name their baby that she kept saying was a girl Wednesday Marie. His mother told me friend about it and asked if they were serious. His mother asked him if it's a boy were there gonna name it Pugsley. Good thing they only had boys and no girls.
Sister can assume people will understand but she clearly doesn’t understand little children. When her child goes to school, it will be her classmates that will point out what her name really is. And it will stick.
If op would write a funny book, I'd read it. She actually behaved like a great God mother, shame that she can't be that anymore.
I am so glad that someone was able to get her back into reality. Kids are very cruel. I was bullied all the way through school and not just verbal bullying. I mean they beat me up, ripped my clothes and stole from me and worse. And it wasn't just 1 kid. It drove me out of school and I went to get a GED because I didn't know how to defend myself and couldn't take it anymore. That poor little girl would have faced years of torment over her name but the way kids are they would have found other things to add on. Parents need to realize they aren't being " cool" or " unique" with these ridiculous spelling changes or names. The kid has to live with the name and the consequences of your actions.
Not only that, but she'd have to deal with explaining how her name was pronounced all through her life, and that no she wasn't called "farty".
Load More Replies...Rae is pronounced Ray not Ra, that pregnancy bain was delusional to think anyone would intuitively pronounce that Rafferty. The engraving can be buffed out and redone on the bracelet
If you needed to pass a test to be a parent this woman would be childless.
It’s good to see a story where the clear NTA OP is still willing to do the kind thing and trust that the conflict can be resolved. Obviously the pregnant sister hugely overreacted and said very hurtful things. But OP chooses to believe in a time where apologies can be made and the relationship will heal. Big kudos to OP for that, and I hope all will be well in the end.
Wow. I don't have the most exciting or original name, but at least I don't have some monstrosity like that. Kids are cruel when things are typical. When they're atypical, they're diabolical. I teach, and some of the names on my rosters are so far out there, I worry about what the students have been through. And it's always because the parents want attention.
Even if by divine intervention the kids in her class didn't make fun of her. (Maybe just use Rae at school) Every time she'd spell her name over the phone, or confirm her name at the doctor's, pharmacy etc. She would have to confirm, yes as in fart. Like party, but with an f. How many people could keep from laughing? How many would be suspicious and think it was some weird prank? I laughed out loud and was only reading!
Oh boy! But oddly, the most surprising thing of all that was when we got to the information about the mural, baby book and bracelet. That's at least two, maybe three (if the charms were fitted for her at the jewellers), maybe more, very professional/restrained professionals, if they managed to hide their surprise and astonishment at having to spell out the word 'fart' as part of the baby name.
We have a friend who called her daughter Theidira nearly ten years ago. As they walked out of the church after her christening I heard he whisper "and that is the last time I'll call you Theodora." Teddy it is.
If sis has another child who is a boy, she can resurrect Rafferty, leaving it in its original form with no excuse about changing it to “Raefarty” to make it feminine. A boy named Raf would be considered pretty cool. So would a girl, if she’d just left the spelling TF alone!
I love "no one will think that." While literally everyone is thinking that.
Teacher here. I'd definitely read that off the roll as "Ray-farty". And in high school; that would DEFINITELY be her nickname.
my sister wanted to name her first born Arian. we're all white, blond haired, blue eyed. i was like nooooooooooo. then she said no one is racist anymore and no one would think it was Aryan, even though she was pronouncing it the same way. thankfully, i came up with a name that she liked and now my nephew is safe from people thinking he and our family are nah-zees.
I don't understand why parents hate their children before they are even born. Why they think they need to come up with something "original" is beyond me. All they are doing is dooming their child to having to pronounce and spell their name EVERY SINGLE TIME they meet someone. It would be so wearing! The child ends up hating their name, and probably their parents as well.
Theodore is lovely, and I'm not seeing why she couldn't add Lesley and Yvonne as middle names. Theodora Lesley Yvonne sounds very pretty!
I'm sorry, but where was the husband? Hormones or no, it's his kid too. Your child's name should be something you both love (or at least both agree on).
I'm glad sis completely changed the name. Even though Rafferty seemed cute initially, after the Ray Farty debacle, I think the fart stench may have clung to it.
There was an easy way around the original problem: Have the Sis pick 6 random kids between the ages of 8 and 12 and show them the name written on a card and ask them to say it out loud. Guaranteed the most common reaction would have been a giggle followed by rayFARTY and a loud belly laugh. That would have proved your point immediately.
Hey Fart face!!! Who farted!! Someone stinks!!! That child will sue the moronic parents!!! For psychiatric care!!
I see kindergarten teacher first day of school doing roll call: Ray...Farty?
From the Farty to Theodora. The most famous one was the wife of emperor Justinian, former stripper and famous whore of the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
"Childeren would not be so cruel" She's out of touch, like the teacher said there are kids who are that cruel, and those are relentless. And yes, others will laugh with them to avoid becoming targets. Thank God that teacher friend pointed it out so clearly.
Tragedeigh: When your a**e is tight and you need a shite it's Tragedeigh!
Oh, come on! First, we don't all wear Birkenstocks. I have never owned a pair in 42 years, and I'm not into naked feet and, somehow, people object to socks in sandals. Weird... Second, Trashedeigh, it's Trashedeigh, but you'd have to check with ... her mother. I don't remember it well enough to know if that was actually a joke - hopefully, it was! - or an actual name to be given to some poor ... Trashedeigh. And ... people with quirky names ... that screams "My parents wanted to be creative, but were to bulkhanded to paint or play an instrument!", ... can't we just stick to a spelling that is understandable to people who weren't involved in the R & D?
So something sorta related almost happened to me, when I was born. My first and middle name is Felicia Ann and my last name, before I was adopted began with a T. Now one of the nurses that helped my mother during labor and delivery was named Royal. My grandma thought it would be great to incorporate the nurses name into mine, giving me 2 middle names. Luckily my mom caught on that my initials would be F.A.R.T and quickly dismissed that idea. Bad enough my initials spelt FAT for the first 10 years of my life, which is kinda funny because growing up I was a skinny and lanky tomboy of a kid. I'm glad this family helped save that poor little girl from at least 18 years of bullying, if not a lifetime if she decided not to change her name at 18.
What kind of short bus quality pregnancy brain is able to ignore the spelling literally has FARTY built right into it. That's where grown a*s adults who are at least somewhat capable of regulating their intrusive thoughts went RIGHT AWAY....what the hell does she think is going to happen when momma's little punching bag is enduring 14 years of being surrounded by children? That the kids are going to say "nah, too easy?" FFS...it's like she found a how to book on how to raise an active shooter.
Look into /r/tragedeigh on reddit for more information.
Load More Replies...This is one of the funniest things I've read on BP, yet. Literally coughing and crying about this. I'm howling! Her sister needs a brain transplant.
This name probably wouldn't have gotten approved in Sweden in the first place.. 👍
Load More Replies...Why would anyone call her a jerk? She saved this child. And her sister, hormones aside, is an idiot that is CRAVING attention. She would not let her husband see a wall she painted in their house? And he didn't just go look? Insanity. The creative names has to stop. People need to change their names to their stupid ideas and thrn let their friends, strangers, and school children roast their a $$es to see why the names are ridiculous. All names are made up, but some are just stupid.
OMG, YES! Let your child be special and unique on the merits of their character and achievements, not because they've been saddled with an attention-seeking 'I'm a star!' name.
Load More Replies...Nice save, and Theo as short name sounds good. I also vote for keeping the “farty” gifts for 18 years party!
I like "Theo" as well. I'm a Crystal who always wished people would call me Crys (I was, and still am, very "tomboyish" and not feminine/girly at all) but only my dad caught on that I really hated being called "Cryssie", which is what my mom and sister called me XD Even if OP's niece is more of a feminine girl, "Thea" is an option for a nickname and while it's not exactly a perfect contraction/shortening (whereas Theo is), it's still quite nice :)
Load More Replies...I snorted when I saw that and laughed so hard I scared the cat
Load More Replies...Ray Farty is horrible and a "farty party" is the only logical way to announce the baby shower. Theodora's not that bad. I always like the chipmunks, it's like a girl version of theodore. But combining the names of the parents, you know what that reminds me of? Freaking Twilight series when Bella took the names of her mother and her mother-in-law to make renesmee as a name for her daughter. And it's like okay, seriously?
Theodore/Theodora both derive from a Greek original meaning "gift of god".
Load More Replies...My friends nephew and his wife were going to name their baby that she kept saying was a girl Wednesday Marie. His mother told me friend about it and asked if they were serious. His mother asked him if it's a boy were there gonna name it Pugsley. Good thing they only had boys and no girls.
Sister can assume people will understand but she clearly doesn’t understand little children. When her child goes to school, it will be her classmates that will point out what her name really is. And it will stick.
If op would write a funny book, I'd read it. She actually behaved like a great God mother, shame that she can't be that anymore.
I am so glad that someone was able to get her back into reality. Kids are very cruel. I was bullied all the way through school and not just verbal bullying. I mean they beat me up, ripped my clothes and stole from me and worse. And it wasn't just 1 kid. It drove me out of school and I went to get a GED because I didn't know how to defend myself and couldn't take it anymore. That poor little girl would have faced years of torment over her name but the way kids are they would have found other things to add on. Parents need to realize they aren't being " cool" or " unique" with these ridiculous spelling changes or names. The kid has to live with the name and the consequences of your actions.
Not only that, but she'd have to deal with explaining how her name was pronounced all through her life, and that no she wasn't called "farty".
Load More Replies...Rae is pronounced Ray not Ra, that pregnancy bain was delusional to think anyone would intuitively pronounce that Rafferty. The engraving can be buffed out and redone on the bracelet
If you needed to pass a test to be a parent this woman would be childless.
It’s good to see a story where the clear NTA OP is still willing to do the kind thing and trust that the conflict can be resolved. Obviously the pregnant sister hugely overreacted and said very hurtful things. But OP chooses to believe in a time where apologies can be made and the relationship will heal. Big kudos to OP for that, and I hope all will be well in the end.
Wow. I don't have the most exciting or original name, but at least I don't have some monstrosity like that. Kids are cruel when things are typical. When they're atypical, they're diabolical. I teach, and some of the names on my rosters are so far out there, I worry about what the students have been through. And it's always because the parents want attention.
Even if by divine intervention the kids in her class didn't make fun of her. (Maybe just use Rae at school) Every time she'd spell her name over the phone, or confirm her name at the doctor's, pharmacy etc. She would have to confirm, yes as in fart. Like party, but with an f. How many people could keep from laughing? How many would be suspicious and think it was some weird prank? I laughed out loud and was only reading!
Oh boy! But oddly, the most surprising thing of all that was when we got to the information about the mural, baby book and bracelet. That's at least two, maybe three (if the charms were fitted for her at the jewellers), maybe more, very professional/restrained professionals, if they managed to hide their surprise and astonishment at having to spell out the word 'fart' as part of the baby name.
We have a friend who called her daughter Theidira nearly ten years ago. As they walked out of the church after her christening I heard he whisper "and that is the last time I'll call you Theodora." Teddy it is.
If sis has another child who is a boy, she can resurrect Rafferty, leaving it in its original form with no excuse about changing it to “Raefarty” to make it feminine. A boy named Raf would be considered pretty cool. So would a girl, if she’d just left the spelling TF alone!
I love "no one will think that." While literally everyone is thinking that.
Teacher here. I'd definitely read that off the roll as "Ray-farty". And in high school; that would DEFINITELY be her nickname.
my sister wanted to name her first born Arian. we're all white, blond haired, blue eyed. i was like nooooooooooo. then she said no one is racist anymore and no one would think it was Aryan, even though she was pronouncing it the same way. thankfully, i came up with a name that she liked and now my nephew is safe from people thinking he and our family are nah-zees.
I don't understand why parents hate their children before they are even born. Why they think they need to come up with something "original" is beyond me. All they are doing is dooming their child to having to pronounce and spell their name EVERY SINGLE TIME they meet someone. It would be so wearing! The child ends up hating their name, and probably their parents as well.
Theodore is lovely, and I'm not seeing why she couldn't add Lesley and Yvonne as middle names. Theodora Lesley Yvonne sounds very pretty!
I'm sorry, but where was the husband? Hormones or no, it's his kid too. Your child's name should be something you both love (or at least both agree on).
I'm glad sis completely changed the name. Even though Rafferty seemed cute initially, after the Ray Farty debacle, I think the fart stench may have clung to it.
There was an easy way around the original problem: Have the Sis pick 6 random kids between the ages of 8 and 12 and show them the name written on a card and ask them to say it out loud. Guaranteed the most common reaction would have been a giggle followed by rayFARTY and a loud belly laugh. That would have proved your point immediately.
Hey Fart face!!! Who farted!! Someone stinks!!! That child will sue the moronic parents!!! For psychiatric care!!
I see kindergarten teacher first day of school doing roll call: Ray...Farty?
From the Farty to Theodora. The most famous one was the wife of emperor Justinian, former stripper and famous whore of the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
"Childeren would not be so cruel" She's out of touch, like the teacher said there are kids who are that cruel, and those are relentless. And yes, others will laugh with them to avoid becoming targets. Thank God that teacher friend pointed it out so clearly.
Tragedeigh: When your a**e is tight and you need a shite it's Tragedeigh!
Oh, come on! First, we don't all wear Birkenstocks. I have never owned a pair in 42 years, and I'm not into naked feet and, somehow, people object to socks in sandals. Weird... Second, Trashedeigh, it's Trashedeigh, but you'd have to check with ... her mother. I don't remember it well enough to know if that was actually a joke - hopefully, it was! - or an actual name to be given to some poor ... Trashedeigh. And ... people with quirky names ... that screams "My parents wanted to be creative, but were to bulkhanded to paint or play an instrument!", ... can't we just stick to a spelling that is understandable to people who weren't involved in the R & D?
So something sorta related almost happened to me, when I was born. My first and middle name is Felicia Ann and my last name, before I was adopted began with a T. Now one of the nurses that helped my mother during labor and delivery was named Royal. My grandma thought it would be great to incorporate the nurses name into mine, giving me 2 middle names. Luckily my mom caught on that my initials would be F.A.R.T and quickly dismissed that idea. Bad enough my initials spelt FAT for the first 10 years of my life, which is kinda funny because growing up I was a skinny and lanky tomboy of a kid. I'm glad this family helped save that poor little girl from at least 18 years of bullying, if not a lifetime if she decided not to change her name at 18.
What kind of short bus quality pregnancy brain is able to ignore the spelling literally has FARTY built right into it. That's where grown a*s adults who are at least somewhat capable of regulating their intrusive thoughts went RIGHT AWAY....what the hell does she think is going to happen when momma's little punching bag is enduring 14 years of being surrounded by children? That the kids are going to say "nah, too easy?" FFS...it's like she found a how to book on how to raise an active shooter.
Look into /r/tragedeigh on reddit for more information.
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