Reddit appears to have a endless treasure trove of child title drama. And simply after we thought we had reached the worst of the worst, we discovered a publish on the “Am I The A—gap? (AITA)” subreddit with the title “AITA for my response to my spouse giving our twin sons true crime-related names?”
And let me let you know, that file scratched so onerous that we’re nonetheless wincing. True crime-related child names? Excuse me, what?! Whereas this most likely isn’t a primary for the web, this was definitely a primary for us. And, consider it or not, it was an entire shock to the brand new dad who initially posted (the “OP” in Reddit lingo).
What Occurred?
The OP defined that his spouse has a “barely irritating true crime pastime.” It’s one thing they hold separate from their relationship, and he’s solely reminded of her curiosity when she’s with one other “aficionado.”
Anyway, he and his spouse welcomed twin sons earlier this 12 months, and she or he selected the boys’ child names. “There have been some negotiations in regards to the names. I do know on the finish of the day, she’s the one doing the onerous work and has the ultimate say, however she was inclined to eccentric, doubtlessly life-ruining names that I needed to speak her out of,” he mentioned, making us marvel what these “life-ruining” choices have been. “Cheelee,” maybe? (IYKYK.)
When she finally urged “two surprisingly extraordinary names,” he agreed. “Named individually, nobody would bat a watch at both one. In actual fact, nobody batted a watch till just lately.”
The OP and his spouse have been visiting household with their infants when his sister-in-law pulled him apart and mentioned, “Are you critical? You named your twins after them?”
“I had no concept, I hadn’t made the connection till that second,” OP mentioned.
What Are the Names?
What have been these “surprisingly regular,” fine-on-their-own names?
Dylan and Eric.
Which instantly made OP’s SIL and far of the web consider Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris — the 2 highschool college students answerable for the Columbine Excessive Faculty bloodbath in 1999. The pair killed 12 college students and one instructor and wounded 24 others earlier than dying by suicide. It’s one of many deadliest and most well-known highschool shootings in American historical past.
“I believe that just about any American who was round and conscious at the moment in historical past would positively make the affiliation,” one Reddit person commented. “As quickly as I noticed these names I actually felt a pit in my abdomen and my thoughts flashed to the footage of them inside the varsity. That was one of many college shootings that rocked the foundations of our society. It’s tremendous tousled that she would even wish to do that.”
The Argument
When OP and his spouse bought dwelling, he “confronted” her and “demanded” they modify their sons’ names.
“She mentioned it was simply [a] coincidence and that perhaps subconsciously, she paired the names, however the names are widespread, and altering them could be a trouble and draw much more consideration,” OP wrote. ” … I mentioned we will merely clarify we hadn’t made the connection and determined to alter it as quickly as we realized. In any case, my sister-in-law already mentioned one thing!”
OP’s spouse “received’t budge,” and now he desires to know if he’s the a—gap for locating this “regarding” and wanting to alter their names.
What Does Reddit Assume?
Redditors are collectively horrified and most are usually not shopping for that it was a coincidence. “I believe there’s no method she didn’t know when it’s her pastime,” one particular person mentioned. “I’m not into true crime and I’m not even American and I acknowledged the names.”
And as OP added within the feedback, if it was only a coincidence, she ought to agree to alter them. In any case, one would possibly suppose she could be creeped out and never need her sons related to the notorious murderers. Even when, as one particular person rightly identified, the names received’t “flip these children into serial killers,” they’re an uncomfortable bounce scare for lots of people. Plus, it’s “merciless” to the youngsters.
“I work in training and I might be uneasy a few mum or dad convention for folks who chosen these names, not gonna lie,” one particular person mentioned. One other responded, “There’s no method my children would ever be allowed to go to little Dylan and Eric’s home, not due to the youngsters, however as a result of I do know there’s one thing essentially fallacious with at the least one of many mother and father.”
Even the people who find themselves keen to offer the true crime fan the good thing about the doubt are insisting that the names must be modified. As a result of on the very least, the names have been completely tainted for a few of the household. “OP and, at the least, his sister-in-law received’t be capable to speak to or take into consideration the boys with out Columbine springing to thoughts, and that the spouse isn’t understanding that’s the downside is bizarre and a bit disturbing.”
Earlier than you go, try a few of Reddit’s wildest child title dilemmas.