Does Our Baby Name Sound Funny?

Updated on December 22, 2007
T.J. asks from Seattle, WA
38 answers

Okay this may sound funny or offend some, but I need advice! We will find out what we're having in a month, we have a name picked out for either sex. The boy name has been decided since we were pregnant for the first time three years ago but had a girl. The name we have picked is Jack Leland Andress (my husband's deceased grandpa's first name, my grandpa's middle name). My sister and a few friends balked at our choice, saying that kids in school will call him "JackAss", since his most commonly used names will be "Jack Andress". Does anyone agree that this name sounds funny and will be picked on? I really don't want him to have a name he hates, but I also don't want to try and pick a new name, we love that one! Thanks for understanding, not laughing, and your advice!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone who responded-a lot of you! Some of them made me laugh, those were the best! I still will show these responses to my husband and see what he thinks, of course though he already agrees with some of you who said ifhe gets picked on, he'll stand up for himself (like his macho daddy). We'll let you know if we're having a boy in August and decide to keep Jack Andress as our name..thanks again!

UPDATE! 8/8/2007 Well I guess we won't have to worry about Jack being called names at all, we found out today that it's another girl! Her name will be Olivia Lane. Thanks again to all who responded!

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T.W.

answers from Medford on

every name can be made fun of don't worry about it I mean my husbands last name is hoff and his first name is matt no way to make fun of that right? well people started calling him jack just so the could I mean kids pick on other kids all the time if it isn't the name its something else.

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S.M.

answers from Portland on

Honestly kids will find a way to make fun of it. They find a way to make fun everything. I think the name is awesome! It's sounds like a very strong name!

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A.F.

answers from Portland on

T.,
I don't think the name sounds funny. Remember that children can be very cruel to each other - so no matter what you pick - if they want to be mean, they will find a way.

Congratulations and best of luck!

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L.B.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi T., I think your sister is making a mole out of a molehill. the name you picked is perfect. I love the name Leland. first kids will find anything to pick on another child it does not have to be a name. just raise him to tell a child if he does get picked on that those names were his grandfathers names and that he loves those names. I say keep the names they are special. and what better way to name your special child after some hero's. ~L. B ~

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T.S.

answers from Eugene on

I like the name. Almost everyone seems to have an opinion as to what to name a baby and no matter what name you choose you won't make everyone happy. As long as you and your husband like it then you should keep it!

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T.F.

answers from Eugene on

I have to honest....I did chuckle a little after I read that you had pointed out "JackAss". I would have not even thought of it until you pointed it out. Picking out a name for your child has got to be one of the stressful responsibilities my husband and I went through. Finding the one that we both liked. It didn't help that My husband was a smartAss as well. He would call me up and tell me he wanted to name our son Lynard Skynard and then hang up really quick. This is just an example...he did it quite often. Then he decided to tell me Sebastian....well...that was his mistake. I ended up liking the name that he jokingly call me up with. That is our son's name. Sebastian Ross. Once we had established that we both somewhat agreed on the name...then we had to deal with the family. My mom hated the name (she likes it now). My husband's mom said it sounded like a dogs name (being funny...but me being pregnant - I was ofended). Most of my friends were like that's a "nice" name. Then a lot of people think of the Crab off of "The Little Mermaid". One of my pet peeves was (when I was Pregnant) when people would ask me what would you call him for short.....I was like....Sebastian. One of his nick names is SeaBass or just Bass. To top it all off.....My son was born with RED hair. Sebastian could have not been the most perfect name for him. Anyway - to get back on track here - who really cares about what other people think. Your kid, my kid, their kid, every kid Will BE picked on in school and in life in general. Whether it be the name, type of clothes they wear, shoes, hair cut, the way they walk, talk, and for what ever other reason. Besides, You should be proud of what name you give your child. Don't worry about what other people think. If people don't like it, then people don't like it. So what.

For my closing statement: Jack Leland A. is just gonna have to have tough skin to let everything roll right off his back. He may even have better comebacks anyway. Maybe he doesn't have to deal with it. He may even be the one running the show. You never know.

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S.M.

answers from Portland on

Keep it!
I freaked out when I met my husband.. his last name is Manlupig
Well, I was soo worried that my kids would get oinked at.
When I was inschool I was "Belch Welch" and "grape Juice" and PB&J and anything else kids could figure out to say with Welch.

I remember a boy named Rudy we used to sing Tudy Fruity Oh Rudy.. and call him Rudolph the red nosed raindeer...

Every name will be gocked at... and every child will be proud of their name.

We ended up giving both our kids the same middle name and last name just to keep their filipino heritage..
My daughter will probably be made fun of one day.. but she'll also have something to truly be proud of as well.
Their names are Mckenzee Lyn Jumawan Manlupig and Leo Jumawan Manlupig II.

My little brother's name is Nathanael Irvin Price Welch... no one knew his name for years he tried to hide it.. heck he didn't even know how to spell it for years.. but now it is a name he is very proud of.. as he was named after the bible, and his two middle names are after each grandfather.

Names are special.. Keep the tradition and keep that name! it's cute!!

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Y.S.

answers from Medford on

No, Jack is a great name. I looked at it for a minute and would never come up with that combination. My maiden name was Luse,(LOL)! The only people that poked fun at it were my friends. I swear everyone has an opinion and wants to tell you what THEY like and don't like. This is your baby, no one else's. Congratulations on your little one to come.

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R.K.

answers from Seattle on

I think it's a nice name. And a wonderful way to homor family.

I won't lie kids can be cruel, so can adults but i didn't notice the "Jackass" resembalance until you pointed it out. Didn't even make me giggle, so, i hope that makes you feel better.

My husband and i named our son Keegan (a name we both loved and means small but determind...very true to his character) but had to be careful about picking his middle name since it his last name is Kroener. And, so we decided no K middle names or we'd end up with initials of KKK, not good. We did choose Keegan Daniel Kroener in the end. His middle name is his dad's 1st name wich is an old tradition of using the fathers first name as a middle name for your 1st born son.

My maiden name was Graham so i got called "golden grahams or graham cracker" or because of my 1st name, R., i got called "R. Quimbly" or "R. the Pest", thanx to the books. My mom didn't give myself our any of my siblings (both younger sisters) common names, myself, 1st name R. ( i was acctually named after a Ramones song, my middle name is pretty common as a middle name, Marie), the middle sister's name is Sheena Star (1st name also after a Ramones song) and our little sister is Blossom Moonbeam (and no not after the show, she was around long before...people give her a hard time about the tv show). All 3 of us love our names.

I think you'll know what's right for your child and yourselves. As long as your supportive when kids or adults even, make comments or tease your children about thier names (or anything for that matter) your children will most likely be content with themselves. Good luck.

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K.S.

answers from Seattle on

Hi T.,

I love the name you picked! It is very distinguished. :) I am sure that if you love it, he will too. Also, i have a nephew named Butler, and he never got teased. Blessings to you and your family.

Katherine

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J.B.

answers from Portland on

Not at all! I like the name & it has meaning behind it (family) Everyone is going to have an opinion & feel they need to put their 2 cents in - whether it was asked for or not....not to mention that it usually is rude.

It is your child - not theirs & whatever name YOU chose will make YOU happy. I would tell them that since you are carrying your child & will be giving birth to shut their trap.

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K.B.

answers from Anchorage on

Kids will find a way to make fun of any name! We named our son Jack after his Great Grand Father and I think it is important to pass on family names. Be sure and tell him where his name comes from and how important those men were to your and your husband. If he feels a sense of pride for his name and himself the names won't bother him one bit! Congratulations on your pregnancy and tell your sister "sticks and stones!!"
~K.

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A.H.

answers from Portland on

I say stick with the name you love. All kids get teased, no matter what their name is. If your last name was actually Ass (or something similar) I would recommend against it.. ha ha. I have known some people with pretty strange names [(Ricky-Jo Hicky)I say NO to rhyming!] that turned out perfectly fine, and in my opinion your kid's name is a good strong name.

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H.K.

answers from Seattle on

When I first read your babies name I thought that it was a lovely name. It never crossed my mind that your child would be teased. If you love the name than thats the name you should have. Don't let anyone elses opinion change yours. H.

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K.F.

answers from Seattle on

Dont change it, its a fantastic name.. My last name was Campbell, so I got campbell soup mmm mmm good for years and my I was Smelsy K. after that.. I remember having more trouble with that when I got into the higher grades because my teacher never really called me by both my first and last name, it was always just K. when I first started school. But when they referred to me by both names (probably in middle school) and I got teased more I was older, more confident, could stick up for myself and just cared less. Focus more on building your kids confidence so when faced with bullies (which is inevidible most of the time) he/she will be head strong enough to handle it. Good Luck and congrats

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K.S.

answers from Seattle on

I think Jack is a perfectly good name. (I have a close friend with a four year old named Jack. He's been in preschool and hasn't had any trouble at all!) Leland is a bit unusual, but not too many kids like their middle names no matter what it is!

And about the nicknames that kids will give him . . . kids will find something about EVERY name. When I was in grade school my friend, Debra, was called "Bra." (Which sounds ridiculous now, but she was absolutely mortified and humiliated when we were 10!) And in the very rare cases where a name couldn't be turned into a joke, kids come up with a variety of other gems: Brace Face; Metal Mouth, Four Eyes, Fatso, Booger . . . you get the drift.

Jack is a perfectly wonderful name. It's not like you've come up with something off the wall like Dweezil, Moon Unit, Motorcycle, Tractor or anything else that is destined to force him into therapy! It's also not one of the over-used, super common names like Michael, Christopher and Jacob. AND you're not sticking him with an unusual spelling of a common name that will drive him bonkers having to correct people for the rest of his life! (This happened to my husband - and he dislikes it so much he goes by his initials!)

Jack is a good strong name. If you love it, stick with it. (And keep your sister and friends busy trying to come up with names that kids WON'T make fun of! You'll have lots of fun watching them do this! And ask them about nicknames that will happen if he wears glasses, or braces, etc.!)

(I work one day a week when my husband is off, too! It's nice to wear something other than Mommy-clothes and talk to adults for a couple of hours!)

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T.S.

answers from Seattle on

I think Jack is a good name. Kids are cruel, no matter what. If they want to tease a kid it won't matter what their name is. If you and your husband both like the name then that's all that matters because I think both parents agreeing on a name is challenge enough without having to contend with everyone elses opinions. So go with Jack if you like it.

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M.T.

answers from Portland on

That is a great name. It really flows well together. If you try to think of a name that kids can't make fun of then you might as well not name your child. I know my son will probably be called step on steffon and Hayley will never live down Hay. Imagine me with my last name as sheets. If kids don't make fun of your son's name they will find something else. I can't beleive that many people who are close to you thought of jack ass. I didn't even see that. I thought of nursery rhymes but I wouldn't let what they think stop you from naming your kid what you want. It's about your family.

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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

i really dont think it will be that big of an issue in school...i personally love the name! we have a boys name picked out if we ever have a boy...francis rex..my husbands grandpas name, and my grandpas. everyone we know says he'll get made fun of too and get called a girls name. but meh..i really dont think so

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E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I like the name Jack in fact we fought over me liking it so much and my husband not liking it. Anyways i would say go with no matter what he would end up being named kids will come up with something. We decided on Brody for my first sons name and my best friend was like why so people can call him Grodie Brody...so no matter what if it isnt "jackass" it will be something else they come up with it is what they do. I hope you go with your heart!

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K.A.

answers from Seattle on

I don't think it sounds funny at all. I believe that you need to trust your own instincts. I think it's a great name!!!!

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Go for it! If it the one you and your husband both like you're golden... most people don't get that kind of agreement. We named our son Mateo and he's only 1 year old and is called Matato, Tomatillo, Tomato... It doesn't really matter because its a family name and it was the only boy name that my boyfriend and I could agree on. Jack is a great name, actually one that I like that my boyfriend didn't. Its a good, strong name. I was thinking more about how it'd look on a business card or resume rather than what the kids at school might think up to call him.

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K.K.

answers from Portland on

In my opinion, you are the parents and whatever you choose is the right choice. I don't see how they would get "Jackass" out of the name you picked out, other than Jack, which is simply a name just like any other that some kid will find a reason to pick on any other kid for at some point. Kids are mean, it's that simple.
As for him hating his name, it sounds like you and your husband have some pretty strong family ties. I'm sure you will raise your son with those ties as well. If so, I would imagine he will be proud to carry on the names of both of his grandfathers. My son's middle name is Wayne, which is my dad's first name as well as my brothers middle name. My dad died when my son was only 18 months old so he doesn't remember a lot about him, but he is very proud to have his name even at 8 years old. I think it helps that we tell stories about grandpa, share memories, etc.

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D.O.

answers from Spokane on

kids will make fun of any name. Why would they call him jackass though? I knew a lot of kids named Jack, and never once did they get called Jackass. I could see if your surname was Assendre or something like that... but I think your sister and friends are reaching.

Besides, it's your choice. They can not like it if they want to. :)

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E.R.

answers from Medford on

I really like that name... has a very intelligent sound to it.

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L.L.

answers from Seattle on

I think kids are going to make fun of someone no matter what their name is. If you are dead set on keeping those names, perhaps you can make it a little more difficult for them to come up with something by changing the order to Leland Jack A.. He may not end up liking the first name Leland, but he could always go by Lee.

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V.D.

answers from Seattle on

i think if that's the name you want for your son, then thats the name you should give him. don't worry about what your friends say. no matter what you name your kids, the fact is that children can be very mean and no matter what your name, they will think of a way to pick on you for it. kids are very creative. i think the name sounds very nice.

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A.C.

answers from Eugene on

I'm sorry but if your honoring grandparents, then dont listen to other people. This is your child not theirs. My sons name is Benjamin Lee. Named after My grandfather and my husbands grandfather. People already call him Benji, and I have to remind them that its not his name, but it doesnt matter what you name him someone is gonna find fault with his name. I like it, its a good name. I say go for it.

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K.R.

answers from Portland on

I think it's your child and what you choose to name him or her is your choice. Jack is a perfectly great name. Children and Adults alike can find a way to pick apart any name to make fun of someone. Just make sure that you are happy with your decision. Congratulations on baby #2

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A.W.

answers from Anchorage on

T. it really doesnt matter what name you choose. The kids will still find a way to tease him/her. They always do. I like the name. Leland for the first sounds cool though. BUT its awesome you are trying to use family names. Im sure its a GREAT honor to them =)
Take care

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B.D.

answers from Spokane on

You know what, I used to be the kind of person that cared about names and what "other" people would think of them. But after I met my husband I realized that it really isn't anything to care about. His name is Ashley, and he doesn't go by any nicknames AT ALL. I believe growing up with that name actually help him become the person that he is today. A name is a name, and kids will be kids. Kids are very creative in the nicknames that they can come up with. No matter what you name a child, there will always be another kid to come up with so stupid rhyme. But it is really up to the parent to teach that child how to handle himself when a stituation like that arises.
I absolutely love the name Jack by the way!

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J.O.

answers from Portland on

No matter what name you give him/her the kids will find a way to pick on him. Kids are mean. Just give the name you wish, and he/she will survive the teasing. No one ever died of a name they didn't like, and if he hates it so much, he can go by a nickname.

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D.I.

answers from Medford on

I like the name. It should be up to you and your husband what you will name the baby. Also just my opinion kids will find something to tease other kids, it doesn't matter what the name is.

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K.L.

answers from Portland on

no, i don't think it sounds funny. I don't think kids will think of that until at least high school, and by then he'll be able to handle himself, hopefully.
I wouldn't worry too much about it.

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M.Z.

answers from Seattle on

It sounds like a wonderful name......remember that children will always find a way to pick on someone....if not their name, then their size, hair, teeth, glasses, clothes, backpack...whatever.
We can't protect them from this just teach them how to deal with it.
The name is something that your son will be proud of as he learns all about the men he was named after.

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T.P.

answers from Seattle on

Kids at school can be really mean. They will come up with something for everyone, but the easier you make it for them the more likely your son will be teased. I was teased ALOT as a child and I hated it! I was timid and shy for a really long time because I was worried about being teased. Is A. a last name? If it's a 2nd middle name then it might be ok because middle names are never usually told at school but then again that might make your son embarrassed to say his middle name. Jackass would most likely be a common name to tease with. If Jack and Leland are both from the same grandpa, I would suggest keeping Leland and changing Jack to something less likely to be teased by. good luck

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D.J.

answers from Spokane on

I think your freinds are right in his name being made fun of. Have you considered Leland Jack inside? Its much harder to make fun of and he couldalso choose to be called Lee later in life.Goodluck.

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M.S.

answers from Spokane on

Girlie-Go with Jack! It's beautiful!!! Forget what your friends say, it's your baby--YOU get to choose. Congrats on being a momma again!

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