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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.

  • I’d opt out. That is a very widely, well known name of a person who is associated with terrible things.

    I hope they consider having Theodore as the middle name. Or even first middle name to break it up more.

    I feel for this mum. I wouldn’t say it’s idiotic though, more like, unfortunate.

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  • Make it the middle name not the first, it’s still honouring the grandfather.

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  • I personally couldn’t do it. Maybe as a middle name. I understand the sentiment but kids can be cruel when it comes to names ( so can some adults) I don’t think it’d be fair.

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  • It’s a beautiful name and works well for a girl or boy but I definitely wouldn’t be doing it after reading the reasoning. Maybe have this as a middle name.

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  • JUst don’t nick name him Ted then

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  • I don’t know how I’d feel about it all as I only thought bundys first name was red not Theodore until recently. I have a Theodore and have never called him ted or even teddy it’s just Theo so really Theo Bounde isn’t all that bad

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  • I agree, have it as a middle name is a good option

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  • You could have Theodore/Theodora as a middle name. Then grandpa is still honoured and the kid doesn’t have to carry the name of a serial killer around.

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  • I totally get it. You want to do everything to give your child a good name

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  • I love the name Theodore. Only adults are going to know, by the time they grow up the kids won’t know or really care. I know the name but really wouldn’t have thought much about it

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  • I didn’t even know about this name. I don’t think it matters as such but each to it’s own. If the mum doesn’t like it That’s it then change the name. Its as simple.

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  • I don’t think they would know who that is unless they’re obsessed with serial killers or something.
    The name isn’t really as people know him (Ted Bundy) so I don’t really think it’s an issue.


    • My daughter learned all about Ted Bundy at school, they studied his profile in one of her subjects (probably sociology)

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  • If you can google the name and not like the results, I think that’s reason enough not to use it. I would definitely use as a middle name instead.

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  • I doubt kids are even going to know the name Ted Bundy and who he is, so saying he will be teased is a bit of a stretch. If the mum is so against the name then maybe they could use it as a middle name instead?

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  • Such a Tricky situation I think maybe if you agree on a hard no to the nickname teddy it could work, but no guarantees and so unfortunate

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  • I would use it as a middle name instead. That way the child has his/her own name as well as a nice family tribute

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  • My husband suggested Daniel as a boy’s name when we were expecting our 2nd baby. I had to tell him there is no way in hell we are going to do that (out first born has the same name as another high profile missing child)! He didn’t see it as an issue even after I pointed that out. So I said you have enough trouble getting through airport security as it is, imagine how much worse it’d be travelling with two children who share the names of the two biggest missing children mysteries of our time… after that he agreed it wouldn’t be a good idea so our boy has a different name

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  • Whilst I think it is cute he wants to honour his grandfather I also see your point of view also. Torn on how you could get around it without insulting your husband.

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  • I was about to judge the mum on being nasty to a family name BUT name that sounds like Ted bundee ??? Ohhh hard no. I would not want my kids name to sound like the infamous murderer.

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  • Ohhhhhh it’s a tough one. It could result in kids teasing the child or it could not. It truly is a hard decision.

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