After a friend told them what they intended to name their newborn baby, one baffled person says they initially assumed she was joking and so burst into peals of laughter.
Unfortunately, their pal was being completely serious, and, although they did try to be polite at first, they ultimately felt they had no choice but to tell her the truth - the name was "ridiculous".
The name in question is "Hashtag", and appears to be inspired by the symbol widely used on social media platforms. They felt they had no choice but to be truthful about the name, fearing the child may end up facing "a lot of ridicule and bullying", but sadly, their brutal honesty hasn't been too well received.
Taking to Reddit, the conflicted individual wrote: "When she first told me the name, I thought she was joking, but she was dead serious.
"I couldn't believe it. I tried to be polite and tell her that it was unique, but she kept insisting that it was a great name and that her child would be one of a kind."
They continued: "I just couldn't hold it in any longer and I finally told her that the name was ridiculous and that her child would likely face a lot of ridicule and bullying in the future. She got upset and accused me of not being supportive of her choices.
"Now, our mutual friends are split on the issue. Some agree with me that the name is absurd, while others think that I was too harsh and should have kept my opinion to myself."
Now they're wondering whether they should have just kept schtum, despite their good intentions, and worry they may have crossed a line. A number of people completely understood why they had to speak out, however, and reassured them they'd done nothing wrong.
One fellow Reddit user commented: "I remember watching the news well over five or so years ago, and someone had named their kid the same thing, so she isn't the first to do it. This is a person, not an art piece. That baby has to live with that name. It's horrible."
Another advised: "I knew someone back in high school whose name was Subtraction. They went by Tray. Now their legal name is Ethan. They do not talk to their parents at all.
"Actions have consequences. Don't mess up your kid's name by trying to make it creative and unique, just give them a name that doesn't insight bullying ridicule etc.
"Sure, bullying is wrong but it's going to happen least you could do is not make them easy target."
Do you have a baby name-related story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
