AITA for lying about why my parent gave the name that they gave me on a school assignment and thus upsetting my parents?

The glow of a laptop screen lit up a 14-year-old’s room as they typed out a school assignment about their name—Anakin Bane Walker, a Star Wars-inspired moniker that’s been a bully magnet for years. To dodge the teasing, they spun a fictional tale about their name’s origin, earning an A. But when their parents peeked at the Google Doc, the force wasn’t with them—they were furious, demanding the truth be told to the teacher.

Caught in a bind, the teen faked an email exchange to keep their secret safe, fearing more playground taunts. Their parents called it dishonest; their friend called it unethical. Was this a clever dodge of embarrassment or a step too far? This story dives into the clash of personal identity, parental expectations, and the sting of a name that stands out for all the wrong reasons.

‘AITA for lying about why my parent gave the name that they gave me on a school assignment and thus upsetting my parents?’

Faking a name’s origin to avoid bullying? It’s a teen’s desperate bid for peace. This 14-year-old, stuck with the name Anakin Bane Walker, faced relentless teasing tied to Star Wars. Their lie on a school assignment was a shield against more pain, but their parents’ demand to reveal the truth ignored their distress. The fake email was a risky move, born from fear of exposure and further mockery.

This taps into a broader issue: the impact of unique names on kids. A 2019 study in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that children with uncommon names face higher risks of bullying, affecting self-esteem. Dr. Pamela Redmond, a naming expert, notes, “Names tied to pop culture can burden kids with unwanted attention, especially if they don’t share the fandom”. Here, the parents’ love for Star Wars clashed with their child’s reality, and their insistence on honesty overlooked the emotional toll of bullying.

The teen’s lie wasn’t ideal but stemmed from survival instincts. They should explain to their parents how the name fuels bullying, seeking a compromise—like using a nickname at school. Parents could support by allowing a legal name change at 18 or advocating with teachers to use a preferred name. A family therapist might help bridge the gap.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s got some spicy takes on this galactic name drama, and they’re not holding back. Here’s what the community had to say about this teen’s sneaky move.

These Redditors are weighing in with passion, but do their views align with real-world solutions?

This teen’s lie about their Star Wars name was less about deceit and more about dodging a bully’s spotlight. Their parents’ anger missed the mark—bullying stings, and names can wound. Was the teen wrong to fake it, or were they just protecting themselves? Names shape identity—how would you handle a name that makes you a target? Drop your stories and advice below!