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India

44 replies

YouCantCallItIt · 05/02/2013 19:45

I really like the name India but worry that it may be perceived as a chavvy name...wdyt?

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CityDweller · 05/02/2013 19:49

Is it chavvy? I've only met one (daughter of an ex-colleague) - they definitely weren't chavvy and I thought it was rather a cool name and it fitted them as the mother was pretty bohemian...

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MumOfTheMoos · 05/02/2013 19:50

I love the name India - I don't think it's chivvy at all!

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MadamGazelleIsMyMum · 05/02/2013 19:51

I love this - it was very nearly DD's name but I chickened out, due to a few raised eyebrows when we mentioned it was in the running. Rather than chavvy, I think it is quite a rah name really.

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Incapinka · 05/02/2013 19:53

Love it. If we have a dd India will be up there in the top 3 names

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everlong · 05/02/2013 20:02

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GaryBuseysTeeth · 05/02/2013 20:09

No.
It's the name of someone I'm close too, she's 17 & waiting until next year to change it.

Aside from the 'why are you called India when you are white?' questions
The constant 'paki', 'papadingding how's the corner shop?' etc meant she had to change secondary schools twice because she couldn't cope with it.
She's gone by her middle name since 14 (and she's in Central London so it's not as though there isn't diversity).

Similar but not as bad has happened to a white, blonde, blue eyed girl I know called China.

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Minty82 · 05/02/2013 20:17

I think it's quite public schoolgirl actually! I know a couple - never occurred to me it would attract the kind of comments Gary mentions but I grew up in circles where it was quite a well-used name... Blush

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sleeplessinderbyshire · 05/02/2013 20:32

I love it but DH said it was too posh and pretentious

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YouCantCallItIt · 05/02/2013 20:36

Oh Gary that is awful....that would make me worry. Madamgazelleismymum what do you mean by a rah name? Blush so overall it's getting positive responses....yaaaaaay!

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Minty82 · 05/02/2013 21:34

She means the same as I do by a public schoolgirl name!

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ladymia · 05/02/2013 22:22

I don't think it's chavvy, I just think it's a bit try-hard.

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Southeastdweller · 05/02/2013 22:25

Too 'head girl' and pretentious for me.

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mrstowers · 05/02/2013 22:51

Certainly not chavvy, rather a posh girls name actually but I love it.

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DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 06/02/2013 00:15

Know a lovely girl called India who is a bright spark and is a gentle soul with ability to kick ass not hippy dippy, rah or chavvy. Honestly there are plenty of other things for bullies to pounce on aside from names more's the pity.

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MerlotAndMe · 06/02/2013 00:18

Adult ones are posh.

what about andrea? less predictable. fewer andreas than indias i bet

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ripsishere · 06/02/2013 00:31

Unless you were actually born there, it isn't for me. It's a bit try too hard IMO.

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sleepywombat · 06/02/2013 04:01

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everlong · 06/02/2013 06:39

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everlong · 06/02/2013 06:40

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YouCantCallItIt · 06/02/2013 10:41

I'm not sure what people mean by too try hard surely you would want to "try hard" to pick a beautiful name for your child Confused I would rather be too try hard than not bovered Grin

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ladymia · 06/02/2013 10:52

sorry I hate to quote the urban dictionary but this is the definition ...


A person who puts a large amount of effort into achieving a certain image, or counter-image, to the point where it is obviously contrived. Rather than achieving an image through genuine personality, the try-hard consciously attempts to fit a certain style through deliberate imitation, forced style, or scripted behavior. That is to say, he/she is trying hard to create an image.

The fact that you asked if it was chavvy also added to me thinking this. I am sorry was just giving my opinion. Trust me my name choices have been shot down on here before too :)

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everlong · 06/02/2013 10:59

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YouCantCallItIt · 06/02/2013 11:03

Oh yeah that's me all over [ throwing eyes up to heaven emoticon ] Well I still stand by what I said I would rather be too try hard than not bovered. Who wants a name for their child that may be perceived as chavvy or one that has negative connotations?? That is the responsible reasonable thing to do as your first act as a parent to your child. It's not about wanting to be perceived as "rah" etc as some people here have put it but trying to do the best thing for your child. As people will and do make assumptions about people based on a variety of things, names included. If people like to see that as being try hard then YES I AM TRY HARD!!!.....Rant over Blush

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DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 06/02/2013 11:05

Going to regret this I am sure but what makes anyone think someone choosing a certain name - any name - is attempting a phoney image or has certain aspirations? Doesn't that smack a little of sneering at a person "getting above their station"? I understand if people think, Oh yeah, look how they're trying to grab attention, eg by prefixing a name with, off the top of my head, Princess, but a name? Genuinely puzzled.

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TenthMuse · 06/02/2013 11:12

Hmm... I used to love India, and still think it's pretty, but possibly a bit 'self-consciously exotic' (especially for someone like me who has no connection whatsoever with India!). I know someone who used it a few years ago who might be described as 'alternative chavvy' - a bit of a hippy drop-out type.

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