"If you ask people for their opinions, they are going to give them. If you do not want people to criticise your choices, do not start a thread in this section. You will not get 100% agreement and hormone fueled feelings may be hurt"

or words to that effect.

To quote the great Taylor Mail (I am a fan)

"I have a policy about honesty and ass-kicking: if you ask for it, then I shall have to let you have it."

Too true, Califrau and everyone enters at their own risk because, sooner or later, you're going to hear your own darling children's names dissed too!

I've seen my dc's kids mentioned, generally favorably.

If people ask 'what do you think' don't be surprised if people are honest with you

And asking about a name, is such a very personal thing.
Obviosly some people are bound to like it.
Obviously some won't.
What are the OP's trying to achieve / expecting ?
But then again, lets be honest and say that most of them do become 'particularly' vicious.

You can get 'um lovely' from people in real life. These boards are your only chance to find out what people REALLY think.

How invaluable is that?!

I think that it is quite useful if people point out the pitfalls that they might not have thought of. I wouldn't ask but I don't care if people don't like my choices! They would be classed as boring on here-I would say traditional.

genuinely don't understand why people ask for opinions on names..always deteriorates into a scrap and humphy " i hate FishyFlaps is chavvy/neddy/rough and someone else rocks up "Actually all pfb in my family are called FishyFlaps

Would that be Taylor Mali?

Would never start a thread asking for opinions but have had people give opinions without being asked.

once made the mistake of laughing at a name straight from Footballers Wives with 900+ posts in agreement and some num nut got humphy as i was most recent poster and had a go at me but not the 900 others

Fancy yourself in the van guard of baby naming or like old lady chic? Then babycentre's naming board is for you... Banjo, Fergus & Clara

Modern naming tastes then Bounty's are usually favourable...Riley, Elissa & Finlay

Choice in the top 50, then you might be safe to venture on MN...William, Isobel, Harry

I think most people really just want an "oh what a lovely name " response. Most actually don't want your opinion. Which begs the question "WHY ASK?".

Before you ask an opinion consider that you may not like the snswer you get and on here your more likely to get people who will admit they hate your chosen name because it's anonymous.
On here I would admit that I thought ***** was a stupid name but if my neighbour told me that's what they were going to call their baby I would probably just politely smile and say "how lovely"!!!

Stands and applauds Califrau.

I know someone who has called their baby Ivy, I just that it made a change from the usual,on here I would have said dreadful as in 'poison ivy' - 'clingingivy'.
I think when people ask they only want agreement.

Alas MNHQ have decided people do not need a warning. Have they looked at how these things kick off???!!!!

yes, Taylor MALI btw. <sigh>
I heart that man.

Do you think it's because people only post because they have doubts and hate having their doubts confirmed?

I agree with heated - I post on the Babycentre uk Baby Names board too. Some serious name fanatics on there. They also have loads of stats including the top 2000 name stats for 2007.

ps sorry that sounds like an advertisement