I have a unique name and hate it with all my being – I can’t pull it off & teachers used to laugh when they read it out
HAVING a unique name can make you stand out, for all the wrong reasons.
This is certainly true of one woman who revealed that she “hates” her name with all her being as she thinks she can’t pull it off.
Taking to Reddit, she shared: “I have a unique name and I hate it with my entire being
“My name is Ethereal. Yes, Ethereal.”
The woman said her name didn’t go down well in school, and she was cruelly made to feel bad by both teachers and fellow pupils.
She continued: “Growing up teachers would always giggle when they heard it and it made me feel self conscious so I went by Ethy for the most part.
“When I was in middle school, it was one of our vocab words and everyone laughed.”
The woman said she had confronted her parents as to why they had given her the name.
She shared: “I asked my parents why they named me an adjective and my mom said she loves the meaning and pronunciation.
“Everyone in my personal and professional life calls me Ethy, and I’ve been considering changing it to that legally.
“Ethereal is just too much.
“I’m too introverted for that name.”
Many people were supportive in their replies to her and reassured her about her name.
One wrote: “That’s an interesting name, although I’m sorry for your experience. Thanks for sharing, it’s a good reminder for me to rein it in a little when looking at unique names for future kids.
“I do really like Ethy as a nickname, though.”
A second added: “It’s something I wanted to name my future kid when I was sixteen.
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When I was a child, all I wanted was one of those personalised keyrings with my name on it.
But no joy, the closest I could find was Rosie, Joseph (not great for a little girl) and Joanne.
Josie is short for Josephine, which is a French name, and I managed to reach my 20s without ever meeting anyone who shared it.
When I try to introduce myself to people, I get all sorts of random things – like Tracey and Stacey – which can be pretty annoying.
Although I have come into contact with a couple of Josies over the last year – there seems to be a few of us around my age – it’s still a much rarer name than most of my friends have.
On the whole I don’t mind it, at least it’s not rude or crazily spelt.
And it means I can get away with ‘doing a Cheryl’ and just referring to myself as Josie.
I’m getting married this year and some friends are shocked that I’m changing my surname, as it’s not seen as very cool or feminist to do so these days, but I explain to them that I’m not that attached to Griffiths as I’d always just say ‘hi it’s Josie’ when ringing a mate up.
I think it’s nice to be unique and I’ll definitely try and replicate this when naming my own kids.
It’s the rude names you’ve got to watch out for, so after nine years as a lifestyle journalist I’ll definitely be avoiding those.
“That and Blueberry. I’m so sorry for you.”
And a third commented: “Yeah it sucks that teachers giggled but shame on them! That is their problem!
“It might be hard to be proud of your name now, if it has caused you a lot of stress but let me ask you…
“Would you rather have had a generic and identifiable name like Laura?
“A name where every other girl has the same and therefore you all go by your surname initial like Laura S and Laura A?”
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