A private lane in Middle Sackville, N.S. is drawing attention in two provinces after someone complained about its name.

The four families who live on the tiny Newfie Lane chose the name themselves in 2011 and a weathervane in the shape of the Newfoundland flag flies just metres away from the street sign.

They feel the issue, which was featured in the St. John’s Telegram, is forcing them into the spotlight and they’re not happy about it.

“We are proud Newfoundlanders,” says one Newfie Lane resident, who wishes to remain anonymous. “This was never meant to be offensive.”

A Halifax resident who is originally from St. John’s complained anonymously to her local councillor and to the newspaper in St. John’s about the street name, saying she found it offensive and hurtful.

“She won’t even put her name out there, which is fine, I can respect that,” says Ruby Clare. “Yet we’ve been thrust into the limelight because of something that offends her.”

Under existing bylaws, a name change is only possible if every family on the street agrees.

“All four homeowners on this street were the ones who suggested the name to us,” says Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Municipality. “They were unanimous in saying they would like this to be called Newfie Lane.”

Brad Johns, councillor for the Middle Sackville area, says he has never received a complaint about Newfie Lane.

“Absolutely no one in the Sackville area has approached me about this in the past two years,” says Johns.

Elliott says another name change is possible but unlikely.

“They would have to lobby every single person on that street to explain why they feel it’s offensive and change the minds of the people who live on the street,” he says.

The residents of Newfie Lane say they have no intention of approaching the city about a name change. They say the name was never meant to be derogatory but is about pride in their Newfoundland heritage.

The article provoked hundreds of comments in The Telegram, the majority of which support the name.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Jayson Baxter