When it comes to choosing baby names, opinions often vary, with some names leaving people utterly perplexed.
A mum has experienced this firsthand and shared her story on Reddit, expressing her confusion over the reactions to her son’s name. She doesn’t find the name particularly odd, yet it consistently prompts stares when she introduces her child.
In her social media post, she expressed her bewilderment, writing: “Why does everyone give me a blank look when I tell them my baby’s name? My son is a year old. His name is Lucian. We live in Southern California.
“Every time we’re walking and meet new people they all ask his name, but they give me a very strange look, and don’t repeat his name again.
“This lady today called him Luca after a minute or two. Is it really that strange of a name? Is it hard to pronounce? We pronounce it Lu-si-en.”
The post quickly attracted comments, with various users offering their take on why the name might be causing such a reaction, including the possibility of it being mistaken for something else.
One person shared their opinion, stating: “To be quite frank with you, if they’re not repeating it, nor do you ever get comments about it (either positive or negative, just radio silence) I would probably assume these people have never heard of the name before, don’t understand it, don’t like it or associate it with (or mistake it for) Lucifer.
“Or all of the above. It’s a nice name. It’s very French. It’s usually pronounced ‘loo-shen’ or ‘loo-shien’ in English, so that could be throwing people off too. Your pronunciation is closer to the original French one, which has the soft ‘c’ sound.”
Another chimed in with: “Not hard to pronounce, but made me think of Lucifer? Maybe that’s what’s throwing people off?”
Meanwhile, another responded: “I’m in Northern Canada and, while it may not be popular, it isn’t uncommon either and generally not sex-specific. A solid name.
“People probably are just less familiar with it there or nervous of mispronouncing it.”
One more added: “I’ve always loved that name. It’s uncommon in the US I think – that might be why they look that way when you tell them. Oh well, it’s a cool name.”