Hello!

A frustrated mum-to-be is at her wits end with her husband, who wants to give their baby a questionable name that she’s described as ‘sociopathic and idiotic’.

While the name, in theory, is a beautiful tribute to a late family member, it’s likely to draw raised eyebrows and whispers if they go through with bestowing the moniker on their unborn baby.

The 35-year-old woman and her 37-year-old husband are thrilled to be expecting their first baby, after struggling with infertility and miscarriage over the past 10 years. While they had been planning to keep the gender a surprise, they may have to opt for finding out, given the current turmoil over the baby’s name.

“My husband absolutely idolised his grandpa, who, unfortunately, passed away last week,” the expecting mum revealed on reddit. “My husband is devastated, especially about the notion that his children will never meet their great grandpa who their father adored so much. As such, my husband has suggested that we name the baby after grandpa; Theodore if it’s a boy, Theodora if it’s a girl. Either way, we will either call them Teddy, or Theo/Thea respectively. It’s not that I mind the name, the issue is that our last name is Bounde; pronounced bun-dee.”

‘It’s idiotic at best, sociopathic at worst’

For those who might be unfamiliar, Theodore Robert Bundy, otherwise known as Ted Bundy, was an American serial killer who murdered 30 women in the 70s. Understandably, this expecting mum is concerned about her son having a name that so closely resembles that of Ted Bundy.

“I asked my husband, do you really see no issue in naming our kid Teddy Bounde? You don’t think that would raise any questions? He says no, he’s just honouring his grandpa. I told him he needs to think about how we will be perceived, how our child will be treated, and the implications that that name inherently carries. I literally had to spell out why that would be a horrible idea, and he still thinks I just hate his grandpa.

“I told him, no, grandpa was named in 1930 when the name Teddy Bounde wouldn’t have been a problem. However, since certain events in the 70s, there’s no feasible way we can give this name to our kid and not cause issues. He kept pushing and pushing until I blew up and told him to stop with the idiotic suggestion, and that’s what it is; idiotic at best, sociopathic at worst. He got extremely upset and told his family and my parents, who are divided.

140 Most Beautiful Baby Names

“His family is obviously on his side and wants to honour grandpa via naming the baby after him. My parents are torn but on my side, as they understand the social pariah we would make our child by giving them such a similar name to the person who did such abhorrent and downright evil things to so many women. I mean, personally I don’t think anyone is just going to assume that we are honouring a passed loved one; they’re just going to think of Ted Bundy.

“Bundy’s full name was Theodore Bundy. That’s where this problem is ultimately stemming from. When a teacher reads the name from the roll, be it Theodore or Theodora, they aren’t going to assume a nickname; it’s just gonna be the full thing. Kids are dicks, and they’re gonna find a way to be mean. Let’s not just hand them the material.”

What a sticky situation! What do you think the family should do? Let us know in the comments below.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • Id love an update on what was finally decided here.

    Reply

  • You could always use it as a middle name.

    Reply

  • It’s a horrible name that kids would beat him up for REGARDLESS of who had the name first. Period! You women who like the name just don’t have any concept of how cruel kids can be. Giving your kid ridiculous names is abusive and nasty and completely narcissistic.

    Reply

  • You can still honor him by using it as a middle name. I feel in this situation that this might be the better idea

    Reply

  • 1st I thought its nice name but with the surname its not good idea. Maybe just use it a middle name.

    Reply

  • I agree with the other commenters and say go for it as a middle name
    The name is still there but not as the first and last name being so similar to the serial killer
    Or alternatively maybe find a different version of Theodore in another language that similar and use that? Personally I think middle name is best
    Did grandpa have a middle name you could use instead?

    Reply

  • Understandable! Theo could be a middle name?

    Reply

  • They could use the grandpa’s name as the middle name as a lot of couples I know have done. I hope you are able to have this matter settled before your child is born so you can just love your child for who they are.

    Reply

  • I would be honouring the grandfather by using his name as a middle name. Pity the argument blew up to this extent though as it is hard for either side to back down npw.

    Reply

  • Yeah, No. Ted Bundy was evil personified. I wonder if they could use the Grandpa’s middle name?

    Reply

  • I agree with Mum. The obvious solution is to use it as a middle name.

    Reply

  • That’s tough but I’d go with it as a middle name and I’d be thinking about IF you had any future children and wanted to honour any other family members a middle name is a great way to do that.

    Reply

  • I had no idea who he was oops. I agree just don’t use ted as a nickname

    Reply

  • I like the name, and highly doubt many people would make the connection. Plus, teachers and other people will be too stuck on the pronunciation of the last name as it doesnt look like it would be pronounced bundy. I would use the grandpa’s name in honour

    Reply

  • Uh oh. No, I think this precious young child needs its own identity. Definitely suitable as a middle name, but not as a first.

    Reply

  • I think it’s still a cute name and I think very few people would make the connection- this was the first I’d heard of the serial killer.

    Reply

  • I agree with others that they should consider it as a middle name. I personally love the name Theodore, but unfortunately the closeness to the name Ted Bundy is a bit too much.

    Reply

  • Just name the child Theo or Theodora, not Ted or Teddy.

    Reply

  • If its really important to them use it as a middle name, that way its still included and important but not used day to day

    Reply

  • I’d personally use it as the middle name if they really wanted to use the name to honour the grandmother

    Reply

Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join