A pregnant woman says she now toying with the idea of giving her unborn baby daughter a boy's name inspired by a TV show, and many have begged her to reconsider.
The expectant mother, who has previously always had girls, is currently pregnant with what she says will be her final baby. Her partner has their heart set on the name Michael for a boy, and she's begun to wonder whether or not this might also work for a girl.
The thought came to her while watching Derry Girls, which was first broadcast on Channel 4 and later picked up by Netflix, which of course features Siobhán McSweeney as the stern yet hilarious headmistress of Our Lady Immaculate College, Sister Michael.
Taking to Mumsnet, the conflicted mum wrote: "I'm due shortly and we still don't have a name. I was watching Derry Girls which has Sister Michael in it and I've actually started thinking I really like it for a girl. Is this just my hormones making me go mental?"
A number of fellow Mumsnet users have advised her to think again, warning that her daughter may well end up "resenting" her.
One person begged: "Please don't do it. Call her Michaela (Mik ay la). Speaking as a female I would seriously hate being called Michael and would resent my parents for it. I'd also change my name."
Another pleaded: "Don't do this, please. It would be forever with your little girl that she was a disappointment: her father wanted a boy so much that couldn't accept that she's a girl and even gave her boy's name."
Some pointed out that Sister Michael most likely had a different birth name, as Catholic nuns will often go by a Saint's name instead.
Others however quite liked the unique choice, pointing out famous female bearers of the name including the actress Michael Learned who starred in the classic family drama series The Waltons.
A third person approved: "Going against the grain here and saying I love Michael for a girl! There's a woman in the new Star Trek called Michael and she's very cool and wears it well."
Another remarked: "100 years ago Hilary was a boy's name, then it started being used for girls. I've heard of James being used for girls, and Jamie definitely is - when I was growing up the Bionic Woman was called Jamie.
"So it could start a trend, I guess, but personally I think it's an ugly name in the first place."
Do you have an unusual baby name-related story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
