I keep hearing that kids today are so used to so many different kinds of names that name teasing doesn’t happen as much anymore. I’m still a little worried. The top 2 names for our boy are both names of fictional characters ([name]Linus[/name] and [name]Felix[/name]), as are many of the names I’ve liked. Names of characters like [name]Oscar[/name], [name]Olivia[/name], or [name]Angelina[/name] don’t seem to keep people from using them. But then, you’d be hard-pressed to find a little [name]Kermit[/name] or [name]Grover[/name]. Why are these deemed unusable? I’d [like to] think a little [name]Clifford[/name] or [name]Arthur[/name] would fit in nicely on the playground, but you rarely see them. I’d love some insight. Especially from teachers or parents that have used names that are ripe for teasing.
Most kids today don’t know who [name]Linus[/name] (our [name]Charlie[/name] [name]Brown[/name], even!) is. I’m 25 and can’t figure out what fictional character [name]Felix[/name] refers to. I do actually know a little [name]Arthur[/name], and no one really associates his name with the aardvark.
I think most of the name teasing we worry about isn’t likely to happen. And even if a loud has a teasable name, often whether that kid is teased depends on his/her personality. An easy-going, charismatic kid can handle being named [name]Harry[/name] Baals better than a timid, socially-awkward kid. At least that’s what I’ve seen from the names and people around me. 
I’ve heard some bizarre names, but usually the kids don’t bat an eye, it’s the adults who comment on the name, and part of me wonders whether kids with bizarre names would be teased at all if the adults were as open-minded as the kids around them.
[name]Felix[/name] could refer to [name]Felix[/name] the [name]Cat[/name], [name]Felix[/name] Unger from the Odd Couple (old TV show/movie), or Fix-It-[name]Felix[/name] from Wreck-It-[name]Ralph[/name] and I’ve heard there is a potion in [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] called [name]Felix[/name] (but I haven’t read/seen it).
As a 7th grade teacher and my husband a 6th grade teacher, we’ve never had students pick on one another for their name. They are more likely to make fun of someone because of their looks, mannerisms or character. I know that sounds awful, but it’s true!
I am concerned about teasing, though rarely for names I like myself- mostly other people’s 
I’ve seen people say things likes ‘my son [name]Gaylord[/name] won’t view being called ‘gay’ as an insult’. Doesn’t matter. I know from experience- I have a physical feature that I was bullied for in school. No matter how much my family and friends told me it was beautiful and something to be proud of, having other kids constantly laugh & sneer at me, throw things and call me names was really horrible. And middles matter too! A boy in my form was called [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]John[/name]. He was teased excessively! Some parents really need to think about their kids rather than themselves!
Saying that, I think your names are absolutely fine. If it was a name strongly associated with one character (like [name]Kermit[/name] and [name]Grover[/name]) then you can definitely expect teasing. But if I met a [name]Clifford[/name], [name]Arthur[/name], [name]Linus[/name] or [name]Felix[/name] I wouldn’t think of anything in particular because they’re more common and there have been several notable people/characters with those names.
This is from my experience as a substitute teacher: Kids are not going to be teased for having a “weird” name in this day and age. There is more diversity now then when we (or our parents or grandparents) were kids, plus parents are just choosing less common names in general. Kids don’t know what a “weird” name is. Kids may be teased for having a name that’s associated with something else (like a cartoon character, etc.) or if their name rhymes with something funny or inappropriate. A little [name]Bart[/name], for example, may get teased for having a name that sounds like fart. The [name]Simpson[/name]'s isn’t as popular as it once was, so that association wouldn’t matter as much, especially when he’s younger. You’re safe with [name]Linus[/name] and [name]Felix[/name] because kids don’t know who they are. A little [name]Oscar[/name] would be more likely to be teased because [name]Sesame[/name] [name]Street[/name] is still popular and, well, every kid is grouchy sometimes. It just invites a joke. That being said, I have known an [name]Oscar[/name] or 2 and it didn’t seem to be a big deal for them. Like another commenter mentioned, the kid’s personality is a factor, too. [name]Olivia[/name], [name]Arthur[/name], etc. are okay because they have always been popular enough among “real” people that they aren’t strictly tied to the character. I imagine [name]Kermit[/name] and [name]Grover[/name] are practically unheard of, not only because of the Muppet association, but because the names just don’t fit well with modern sensibilities. They just aren’t the most attractive names out there.
I’m not concerned at all. I mean, I’m not going to name my kid Stormaggedon or anything, but I worry far more about the judgement of adults than I do children. Kids would probably think the name Stormaggedon is pretty spiffy.
I avoid names that rhyme with any potty language, No asses, turds, ect, im pretty sure kids will find a name amusing if it rhymes with a “rude or derogatory” word and if your child is sensitive or shows a strong reaction to this teasing it could turn into bullying. I also would hate it if my name rhymed with anything negative.
Some names i crossed off the list for teasing potential -
[name]Logan[/name] the Bogan
[name]Astrid[/name] (ass turd)
[name]Celeste[/name] moleste.
[name]Artemis[/name] Fartimis
[name]Gabriel[/name] Gayyybriel
They are all a bit silly but i couldn’t use a name i wouldn’t be happy being named myself.
I take it into consideration, but don’t obsess. I think there’s some truth to the idea that kids don’t tease about names the way they used to, there’s so much more variation today (Example: [name]Mabel[/name] has a playdate with [name]Sophie[/name], [name]Dez[/name]'tinee, and [name]Catalina[/name]) that names are less likely to be considered “weird” than I think they were in past generations.
Still, I think it’s worth thinking through a name for obvious teases (especially as a pp pointed out, those rhymes that are likely to come up in the preschool years).
I don’t think [name]Felix[/name] or [name]Linus[/name] are especially cruel in the teasing department! I know a 5 year old [name]Felix[/name] and it’s quite adorable on him. His teachers are more likely to make the [name]Felix[/name] the cat connection than his peers.
My [name]Linus[/name] has never been teased once for his name. He is almost 7, only time he has been teased is when a friends child heard me call him “[name]Graham[/name] Cracker” (one of his mn’s is [name]Graham[/name]) and then this boy thought it was funny and called him “[name]Graham[/name] Cracker Boy” (which [name]Linus[/name] liked at first, but then when the kid started to say it in a teasing “singsongy” way, it bugged him). Our [name]Felix[/name] is of course not with us, and I cannot imagine somebody rude enough to tease the name of a stillborn baby, so I cannot comment on that too much.
BUT, I will say that my kids and I encounter so many names that growing up maybe would have gotten teased but now, kids are very tolerant and not just that, but used to different names and they do not bat an eye at all. So if you like [name]Linus[/name] and [name]Felix[/name], go for it!
I wouldn’t name my child something that would undoubtedly be tease-able, but I do not spend a lot of time worrying about it. Like others have said, I think children today are used to a variety of different names. I love [name]Linus[/name] and [name]Felix[/name], by the way!
I’m with those who say that, in this generation, unusualness only is probably not going to inspire teasing. However, names that obviously sound like curse words are still ripe for teasing, I think. EG, I’ve met a boy named G@briel “G@be” Horn. [name]Say[/name] that a few times fast and you’ll figure it out. I really wish his parents had thought through that one! OTOH, he wasn’t totally friendless, and some of the teasing was friendly and light-hearted…but you really don’t want to do that to a middle school boy if you can avoid it.
Similarly, we’re crossed off [name]Astrid[/name] because multiple people instantly think “a$$ turd” when it is mentioned (plus, I know it’s too much to hope Americans will ever pronounce it the way that I think sounds lovely). My friend’s husband nixed [name]Hadassah[/name] because of the obvious “a$$” in the middle.
I think there are a very few character/famous people associations that will be hard to shake, as well. As someone mentioned, probably [name]Oscar[/name] the Grouch in most areas of the US. But most are fine. I mean, when I see people say “don’t name your daughter [name]Willa[/name] [name]Scott[/name] because it sounds like [name]Willard[/name] [name]Scott[/name]” and I, as a 27 yr old, have no idea who that is, then I highly doubt it will ever come up on the playground. OTOH, [name]Dora[/name] is adorable and not a bad association, but kids and moms in this generation will definitely be singing the song at any little Doras…not terrible, but maybe a little annoying?
Honestly, even if something has a TON of teasing potential, chances are that it won’t matter a whole lot. Kids will make fun of it for a while, but if you/your child deal with it reasonably and responsibly, it will go away. I’ve met people with some pretty teasable names, including both of my brothers, and they’ve all turned out just fine. It sucks to have your kid come home crying, but if it’s not their name, it’s something else. Teasing doesn’t NEED a reason, bullies will be bullies–I work with 4-5 year olds, and they’re always telling each other mean things, like saying another kid wears diapers, or making up words to call their classmates. I haven’t heard a single one of them pick on a kid for their name.
For names like [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Linus[/name], forget about it. Those are great names. [name]Every[/name] name has something wrong with it, and if the biggest thing you can come up with is TV show characters, you’re golden.
Well I’m an [name]Ebony[/name] and have never been teased ever. My sister was the one with the classic [name]Adele[/name] and got [name]Adele[/name] [name]Bell[/name] in the Well can’t you see how she smells. Silly but she made it up aged 5. My brother [name]Isaac[/name] gets Ice pack or icey which he actually likes.
As much as I get told on nameberry to get rid of [name]Cooper[/name] because it rhymes with Pooper I can’t do it I love the name and anyway its top 10 in Australia so many people get over it and who over the age of 6 says that anyway?
Not concerned at all. You can’t predict it, you should only rise hale, healthy and happy child.