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[Alcander]

Ok GAF, I need an answer. My wife and I are expecting our first child early next year and have started debating names. One name we both really like is "Benjamin" -- simple, non-offensive, and classic.

Our last name, though, is "Lada" (pronounced like Wada, or phonetically like lotta). After both getting excited about agreeing on a name fairly quickly, we realized that the nickname "Ben", when combined with "Lada", sounds eerily similar to Bin Laden.

I initially thought we were just being paranoid, but now I don't know.

Is this one of those situations where "if you have to ask..."?

What say you!

 

[Geno Breaker]

Yes. Name him Kale Breckin instead.

 

[FZZ]

No lmao

you guys are fine

 

[catapult37]

probably

 

[msdstc]

I don't think it's a problem... but people are assholes. he'll likely hear plenty of references in his life time.

 

[……forgetit]

Yes. Name him Kale Breckin instead.

.

 

[Rktk]

Raise the child to insist on Benjamin every time.

 

[cwmartin]

Sounds fine to me.

 

[Jesus Carbomb]

Yes

 

[Khaos Kontrol]

People will likely make dumb jokes about the name sounding somewhat similar, but that shouldn't deter you from naming your child what you want.

 

[msdstc]

No lmao

you guys are fine

Bin Laden. Ben Lada. It's close. Is it a problem? Depends if it bothers him that people might riff on it.

 

[FyreWulff]

bin ladin will be out of the public zeitgeist by the time he's old enough to care about his name

by the time he's a teen it will have been 30 years since 9/11

 

[Ashodin]

You'll hear Ben Laden, Benji (dog name), Ben Jammin which is my favorite.

But yeah teacher class rolls will likely say "Ben Lada? Is Ben Lada here?" and kids might snicker if they know the name. But that's likely to happen later in life.... which his name might be forgotten by then.

 

[Raiden]

Seems like something kids would make fun of.

 

[TheUntamedLegend]

 

[Volimar]

If you keep him to the full name you should be okay. Until he gets to school. Those kids can be merciless.

 

[HoodWinked]

this is one of those "cant unsee" things. probably wouldn't connect the dots on your own but once you point it that's all you will think of.

 

[backflip10019]

If you have to ask, then yes.

 

[L Thammy]

"bin Laden" isn't even the name, isn't it? "bin" is like the German "von" or something.

Anyway, are you brown? It'll probably be easier to get away with if not.

 

[aBarreras]

Yes. Name him Kale Breckin instead.

when you google that name gaf is the first result, can someone fill me up with this?

 

[QuantumBro]

Checkmate liberals!

 

[VistraNorrez]

Call him Jamin for short. Jamin Lada sounds cool.

 

[Mimosa97]

He will be fine as an adult but he'll have a terrible time in school. Kids get bullied for the most trivil thing you'd be handing your kid to bullies on a platter.

 

[John Kowalski]

Seems closer to Satanic Prince Lord of Hell Baphomet tbh

 

[MisterRoboto]

I said Ben Lada out loud and it sounds fine. You might be overthinking it. If it bothers you, don't shorten it to Ben.

 

[Zach]

Now I can't think of anything else.

Like that time my coworker was thinking about Lydia for her daughter. I was like "dude, kids are going to call her Chlamydia Lydia." So she blamed me for ruining it and named her Emily or whatever. Pbbt.

Anyway, Benjamin is a cute name.

 

[DeathoftheEndless]

Name him Niki.

 

[Hydrus]

You should name him Lambada Lada!

 

[SixMachine]

I have an atypical name, but a general rule of thumb is that kids will always be assholes to each other and it will eventually come up. I knew a guy named Richard and he got a lot of dick jokes thrown his way, and that is a pretty typical name. My advice is run with it and don't care what people say.

 

[yellow submarine]

Points if you call him Benjamin Ghazi instead.

 

[inky]

Let's see, Bart, Cart, Dart, Eart... Nope, can't see any problem with that.

 

[paperboywriter]

no one is gonna remember bin laden by the time it matters to the kid

 

[Sheroking]

As someone with a stupid, easy-to-mock name...

Just pick something bullet proof.

 

[L Thammy]

when you google that name gaf is the first result, can someone fill me up with this?

Guy's wife wanted to give their kids a stupid name. He had to pick between terrible options.

Then they got a divorce later.

 

[TimeEffect]

Hilarious

He's bound to be called Bin Laden by someone in his life probably but he'll be fine

 

[Brian_FETO]

Honestly, it is pretty close

On the other hand, I think the gap in time would be far enough that it wouldn't be that overt of an issue. I think the biggest issue with that sort of thing is kids at school making fun of it, and we're approaching 10 years since he was killed

If it's already setting off red flags for you then I'd recommend not going with that name. God forbid it actually have negative effects on the kid and you regret not changing while you still could. Plus I think at this point you'll always have the thought in your head

 

[Syder]

When your kid is in high school, Bin Laden is going to be an obscure reference.

 

[Miles X]

I don't honestly think you'll forget about it if you do. Do you have no other close second options?

 

[cr0w]

Name him Enchi.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

even if the the name was Ben Laden i dont think theres an issue

 

[Sojgat]

Yeah, pick something else. It's a fine name, but his entire life will be a Human Giant sketch.

 

[True Savior]

Ben Lada sounds similar to Bin Laden if that's what you are asking.

 

[SpaceWolf]

 

[red731]

Ben Lada betta than Bin Laden

I hear difference. You are fine.

Ed: Hello Benjamin, I suppose you will be reading in the future, like 15 years from now. You are awesome and be happy for who you have around you! Much love!

 

[Citizen_Insane]

It's similar enough for asshole kids to make fun of. I wouldn't risk it personally.

 

[Captainbojanglesiii]

Definitely sounds like one of those things that when you hear it, you can't unhear it.

It's pretty close

 

[brawly]

Kinda. How about James? James Lada. Jim Lada. Jimmy Lada.

 

[PSqueak]

Adult logic will say "lol, he's gonna be fine".

But kids? Kid's take any chance to be shitheads at each other, statistically speaking, SOMEONE will make fun of him drawing that connection.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

When your kid is in high school, Bin Laden is going to be an obscure reference.

Yeah, about as obscure as Hitler.

 

[Hands of Stone]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkmrDvKPdps