“AITA For Telling My Sister Her Reaction To My Daughter’s Name Was Way Over The Top And Rude?”
Each of us has our own skeletons in the closet – small or big secrets with which some negative memories are associated. Moments when we felt bad, were ashamed, or when we were completely disgraced – and we want to forget these situations forever, but we can’t.
It’s quite possible that this is exactly what happened to the sister of the user u/New_Possibility_9820, the author of our story today, who was triggered completely out of the blue by the name the new mom picked for her newborn daughter. No, no bizarre language constructions – just the name Alannah. Okay, let’s get to the story itself.
More info: Reddit
The author of the post recently gave birth to her second child, a girl named Alannah
Image credits: Laura Garcia (not the actual photo)
It was the parents’ combined decision to give their daughter this name – and everyone was happy with it. Everyone but the mom’s sister
Image credits: u/New_Possibility_9820
The woman got mad and claimed this name was ‘ugly’ and inappropriate for her niece
Image credits: Liza Summer (not the actual photo)
Image credits: u/New_Possibility_9820
However, the woman didn’t offer any reasonable grounds why she thinks so – except that the girl could get bullied over this name in future
Image credits: Anna Shvets (not the actual photo)
Image credits: u/New_Possibility_9820
The mom didn’t follow the sister’s lead and decided to leave everything as is – and the sis got offended by this
So, the Original Poster (OP) says that a few weeks ago, she gave birth to her second child, a girl. The new mom agreed in advance with her husband that they would name their daughter Alannah – and solemnly announced the name to relatives and closest friends. It’s unlikely that the couple expected a violent reaction from anyone – after all, Alannah isn’t a very common name, but also not so strange, as sometimes happens.
Quite suddenly, the author’s younger sister showed a weird reaction, acting like the name Alannah meant something completely terrible to her. The woman stated that this was a completely unacceptable name and that it would be very difficult for her niece to live with it. To say that the mom was surprised is an understatement, because her sis had never exhibited such drama queen-style behavior before.
Moreover, after some time, the sister approached the original poster again and literally begged her to change her decision about the name for the girl. When the OP asked about the reasons for such conviction, the sister didn’t give any reasonable answer, but said that later, years and years later, her daughter would only thank her mom and aunt for ‘saving’ her from such a terrible name.
Well, the author, of course, didn’t intend to rename her daughter – but she sincerely tried to understand which reasons motivated her sister. According to the woman’s own words, they had been quite close since early childhood, so she’d have perhaps known about some conflicts with someone named Alannah. But the original poster remembers nothing like this.
The sister said that by refusing her advice, the OP is acting rudely and in general she should listen to her, otherwise later, when Alannah grows up, she will be bullied, and that only renaming her will save the girl from ‘torment’. In turn, the author sincerely believes that this is just a whim, and nothing more.
Image credits: SAULO LEITE (not the actual photo)
We did a little research and found out that Alannah is indeed quite a rare name. So, according to datayze.com, in 2021 there were 206 baby girls named Alannah in the US. However, for example, The Bump states that this name is likely derived from British names Alana and Alan, and directly translates to ‘little child.’
According to other versions, Alannah is an anglicized version of the Gaelic word a leanbh, which in turn means ‘O child.’ Makes sense, considering that the original poster’s husband is, according to her, of Irish descent. By the way, the name Alannah is quite popular, for example, in Canada and Australia – just remember the Grammy-winning Candian singer Alannah Myles or the Australian fashion designer Alannah Hill.
In any case, Alannah is a wonderful name, and we’re sure that the girl will have a wonderful life full of good events. Commenters on the original post also believe that the author’s sister is 100% overreacting. “Alannah is a familiar name for a girl when I was growing up, and I don’t remember anyone being made fun of for it,” someone reasonably wrote.
By the way, here’s another version – the sister could have ‘picked’ this name for her future kid in advance and got upset at seeing it ‘stolen.’ “Either she had had experiences with someone who goes by This Name, or she would have liked it for her future daughter,” another person tried to guess. Yes, such situations can also lead to serious conflicts between relatives.
Regardless, most people in the comments do believe that the original poster did the right thing by refusing to follow her sister’s lead. “Tell your sister to get over herself and stay in her lane,” someone added. And do you, our dear readers, agree with this mother’s decision? Please let us know in the comments below this post.
Well Alannah isn’t that common of a name – however, it’s pretty familiar and the commenters also think it’s nice and beautiful
I named my daughter this name. She’s 33 now. No such bullying occurred. There is something else wrong here
It's a lovely name! I got teased/bullied a bit for my name (Crystal) when I was a kid in the 90s (kids are dumb) but there was an Alana in my class that same year and no one bullied her. It's a perfectly acceptable name.
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Ha ha! Hell no! Keep the name you choose. Your sister is delusional for demanding you believe her and do what she says no questions asked. She sounds a bit unhinged.....
The OP writes that it's out of character, so maybe it's the first sign of a mental health issue. It's certainly an odd situation.
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NTA. Sis has some "splain'en" (as Ricky would say). I do have a feeling it may have something to do with her boyfriend or husband, perhaps an old love. Now, we're all hanging on hooks wondering the "real" reason. Hope you find out & share it with us. Congratulations on your new addition with such a Beautiful name.
I bet the sister wanted to name a future daughter Alannah.
Obviously they can't tell us their last name, but I'm wondering if Alannah + Last Name makes some kind of "all on a" pun? I mean, I can't even think what that would be, like their last name is Bett and it's "all on a bet?" or something? It just doesn't make sense that she would insist the little girl would be bullied, and I feel like I must be missing something. ETA: Or Dare, could be something like "All on a Dare"?
But the sister refused to give any reason except "you should just believe me and trust me." So I don't think that's it.
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Nobody's business apart from the parents. Aunt has no say in the matter. Tell her to do one. I have sunk so low that I comment on Reddit (aka lies for attention)
"well, sis, it may be some comfort to you that you'll never have to say "Hello, Alannah." Because you're never going to see her." You can't be an auntie if you're going to be an anti.
Alannah is a perfectly fine name when you consider the kids out there named Ahmirackulle or whatever
Um, maybe she has an issue with Honey Boo-Boo? The girl's given name is Alanna Grace.
Accidentally hit post dropping my phone. Congratulations on a brand new life to love. It's a good name. Look at what elon musk named his or Look on reddit under tradghiehs not correct spelling but you get the idea.
Just say your input is not needed. That's the baby's name. Want to tell me what this is really about?
That is literally my name but without the H and I love my name tell your sister to shove her attitude up her butt
Really? Alannah will ruin her life and get her bullied? I know people who named their son Riott.
I grew up with an Alanna, different spelling but same sound. Bullying was never an issue. This is bizarre
Talked about this with my sister, and she suggested that maybe a woman named Alannah broke up this woman's relationship with a guy. That seems more likely than the sister wanting to use this name for her own future daughter, because how would she explain that when she's said it's ugly and will cause bullying?
There's definitely some reason that the sister isn't telling. Also OP misread the question about bullying. The commenter asked if the sister had bullied someone named Alannah, not if sister had *been* bullied.
Maybe she thinks it is one of the strange newly made "man's name" + "a" names that sounds stranger than older ones like Erica and Johanna? Is the father called Alan?
How many people even know that, though, or care? That kid's 15 minutes of fame are over and have been for a while.
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Alana, Alanna, or Alannah is a female given name. It can be derived either from the Old High German word for "precious" or from the Irish language term "a leanbh" for "my child".
I think the sister had this name in mind for her future daughter and is upset it got taken. That or she's just a psycho. I love that name. If it was Alannahleigh though.....
This is so odd I can't think of a reason never mind a good one. Its a decent name, been around for years, works in many languages, doesn't even have famous baggage. Aunty needs to come clean about the reason, for her own health as well as the health of her relationship with the baby's mother
If a kid (or group of kids) wants to bully someone, they're going to do it no matter what that person's name is. Sure, making fun of an unusual name is an easy way to go, but having a normal one won't prevent the bullying.
I named my daughter this name. She’s 33 now. No such bullying occurred. There is something else wrong here
It's a lovely name! I got teased/bullied a bit for my name (Crystal) when I was a kid in the 90s (kids are dumb) but there was an Alana in my class that same year and no one bullied her. It's a perfectly acceptable name.
Load More Replies... Ha ha! Hell no! Keep the name you choose. Your sister is delusional for demanding you believe her and do what she says no questions asked. She sounds a bit unhinged.....
The OP writes that it's out of character, so maybe it's the first sign of a mental health issue. It's certainly an odd situation.
Load More Replies... NTA. Sis has some "splain'en" (as Ricky would say). I do have a feeling it may have something to do with her boyfriend or husband, perhaps an old love. Now, we're all hanging on hooks wondering the "real" reason. Hope you find out & share it with us. Congratulations on your new addition with such a Beautiful name.
I bet the sister wanted to name a future daughter Alannah.
Obviously they can't tell us their last name, but I'm wondering if Alannah + Last Name makes some kind of "all on a" pun? I mean, I can't even think what that would be, like their last name is Bett and it's "all on a bet?" or something? It just doesn't make sense that she would insist the little girl would be bullied, and I feel like I must be missing something. ETA: Or Dare, could be something like "All on a Dare"?
But the sister refused to give any reason except "you should just believe me and trust me." So I don't think that's it.
Load More Replies... Nobody's business apart from the parents. Aunt has no say in the matter. Tell her to do one. I have sunk so low that I comment on Reddit (aka lies for attention)
"well, sis, it may be some comfort to you that you'll never have to say "Hello, Alannah." Because you're never going to see her." You can't be an auntie if you're going to be an anti.
Alannah is a perfectly fine name when you consider the kids out there named Ahmirackulle or whatever
Um, maybe she has an issue with Honey Boo-Boo? The girl's given name is Alanna Grace.
Accidentally hit post dropping my phone. Congratulations on a brand new life to love. It's a good name. Look at what elon musk named his or Look on reddit under tradghiehs not correct spelling but you get the idea.
Just say your input is not needed. That's the baby's name. Want to tell me what this is really about?
That is literally my name but without the H and I love my name tell your sister to shove her attitude up her butt
Really? Alannah will ruin her life and get her bullied? I know people who named their son Riott.
I grew up with an Alanna, different spelling but same sound. Bullying was never an issue. This is bizarre
Talked about this with my sister, and she suggested that maybe a woman named Alannah broke up this woman's relationship with a guy. That seems more likely than the sister wanting to use this name for her own future daughter, because how would she explain that when she's said it's ugly and will cause bullying?
There's definitely some reason that the sister isn't telling. Also OP misread the question about bullying. The commenter asked if the sister had bullied someone named Alannah, not if sister had *been* bullied.
Maybe she thinks it is one of the strange newly made "man's name" + "a" names that sounds stranger than older ones like Erica and Johanna? Is the father called Alan?
How many people even know that, though, or care? That kid's 15 minutes of fame are over and have been for a while.
Load More Replies... Alana, Alanna, or Alannah is a female given name. It can be derived either from the Old High German word for "precious" or from the Irish language term "a leanbh" for "my child".
I think the sister had this name in mind for her future daughter and is upset it got taken. That or she's just a psycho. I love that name. If it was Alannahleigh though.....
This is so odd I can't think of a reason never mind a good one. Its a decent name, been around for years, works in many languages, doesn't even have famous baggage. Aunty needs to come clean about the reason, for her own health as well as the health of her relationship with the baby's mother
If a kid (or group of kids) wants to bully someone, they're going to do it no matter what that person's name is. Sure, making fun of an unusual name is an easy way to go, but having a normal one won't prevent the bullying.
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