A mother has faced criticism after naming her daughter a unique name that has sparked backlash, with people claiming she has “ruined” her child’s life. Emma Louise Hutton, a 35-year-old nail technician from Sheffield, decided to give her one-year-old daughter a distinctive name, Elae – pronounced L.A – Larose. Despite Emma’s belief that most children’s names are “boring”, she wanted to be creative with her daughter’s name. However, this choice has led to negative comments from parents and grandparents, who have labelled her as a “chav”.
Emma shared that she has received hurtful comments such as people feeling sorry for her child or accusing her of setting her up for a lifetime of bullying. She expressed her indifference towards these criticisms, highlighting the inappropriateness of adults sharing negative thoughts about a child. Emma explained that she wanted her daughter to have a unique name as she herself had a popular name during her school years, which she found repetitive and desired something different for her children. The inspiration for the name Elae came from a client who mentioned a friend named Elae, which Emma instantly loved.
Despite facing disapproval from her parents initially, Emma’s friends and husband supported her decision. She emphasised that her daughter’s name is often mispronounced or misspelled due to her Yorkshire accent, but she has stopped correcting others as it became tiresome. Emma expressed frustration at the lack of toys with her daughter’s name on them but remains steadfast in her decision to keep the name, considering it the most beautiful she has come across. She believes that in a world where many children have unique names, her daughter will not face bullying but may encounter challenges in constantly correcting others.
Emma called for more creativity in choosing names for children, urging others to move away from conventional choices. She expressed her disappointment in the negativity she has received and highlighted the importance of respecting individual choices when it comes to naming children. Emma’s story sheds light on the personal nature of naming a child and the diverse opinions that can arise from such a decision. It serves as a reminder to embrace uniqueness and individuality, even in the face of criticism from others.
The controversy surrounding Emma’s choice of name for her daughter is a reflection of society’s perception of unconventional names and the judgement that can accompany them. It raises important questions about freedom of choice in parenting and the impact of societal expectations on personal decisions. Emma’s resilience in the face of criticism demonstrates the strength of her conviction in choosing a name that holds personal significance to her. In a world where conformity often prevails, stories like Emma’s serve as a reminder of the beauty of diversity and the importance of embracing individuality.