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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think my DH has gone mad over this baby name?

419 replies

kweefa · 21/01/2025 10:19

So, I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant with DC2, and DH and I are still arguing over the name. For context, we have a DS(4) called Oliver (family name, everyone loved it, no issues there). But this time, DH has got it into his head that we should name DD something, frankly, ridiculous.

He wants to call her Nevaeh. Yes, “Heaven” backwards. He says it’s “unique but meaningful.” I think it’s chavvy and will age terribly (sorry if that offends anyone). I mean, can you imagine a 50 year old Nevaeh filling out her pension forms?

I’ve suggested plenty of other names Sophie, Amelia, even Freya but he keeps turning them down as “too common.” Meanwhile, he’s vetoed names I love (Florence, Ivy, Matilda) because he “knew a girl in school with that name and she was annoying.” 🙄

WWYD? Am I being unreasonable or is DH completely deluded?

P.S. Posting for traffic!

OP posts:
Fencehedge · 21/01/2025 10:54

Isn't it meant to be pronounced Nav-eh? Or Nu-vey-ah

thesugarbumfairy · 21/01/2025 10:53

kweefa · 21/01/2025 10:27

That’s actually a lovely suggestion, thank you! I do like Niamh, but I’m worried about people constantly mispronouncing or misspelling it. We live in an area where Irish names aren’t very common, and I can just imagine her having to correct people all the time. Do you think it would be an issue, or am I overthinking it?

Show quote history

I know a Niamh (shes 17) and there are no issues with pronunciation from anyone. Spelling - yes. But that can be corrected easily enough.

flapjackfairy · 21/01/2025 10:53

Sceptical123 · 21/01/2025 10:40

As opposed to Oliver, where I taught 5 in one class once and it’s been in the top 5 of baby names for 2 decades! The snobbery on this thread is unreal

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I wasn't being snobby ! The OP s husband thinks it is a unique name ( as in no one else has ever thought of it ). And as I.have pointed out it isn't unique and has been around for a long time now.
I wasn't commenting on whether I like it or not . And yes Oliver has long been popular ! I don't get your point !

Enough4me · 21/01/2025 10:53

Eva is a pretty name and sounds similar. Or Evelyn in Eva.

Mrsdyna · 21/01/2025 10:52

If it's heaven backwards, isn't that a bit demonic? 😂

MatriarchalMadness · 21/01/2025 10:52

Yes, he's deluded if he thinks Nevaeh is a good name.

TightlyLacedCorset · 21/01/2025 10:51

In about 30 years Nevaeh will become a classic. But for now it's associated with chav. Bit like the name Champagne for a girl.

I don't understand the need for Heaven to be reversed in order to be given as a name anyway. Surely you can just call the child 'heaven?' In Christian African and Carribbean communities they give the most conservative and literal Christian theologies as names without apology. Revelation, Blessing, Mercy, Trinity, Gospel, Anointed etc etc

Throw it back at him and say you'll agree to Heaven instead, as Nevaeh isn't religious enough and a bit anathema being spelt backwards. He'll change his mind quickish I bet.

Original poster
kweefa · 21/01/2025 10:51

Thank you, I couldn’t have put it better myself! You’re absolutely right. I don’t see why Nevaeh should be the exception just because it’s his idea. And the hypocrisy about popularity has really wound me up too.

I think he’s being completely unreasonable, and honestly, I’ve had enough of the double standards. I’m the one growing this baby, dealing with all the aches and exhaustion, and I still have to fight him over a name FFS!

OP posts:
Fencehedge · 21/01/2025 10:50

Eve / Yves?

Embroideryemma · 21/01/2025 10:50

Grim. Avoid, avoid, avoid. This is why people should discuss baby names before they even get married!

NotAnotherBirthday · 21/01/2025 10:50

Pigsinblankets13 · 21/01/2025 10:28

Dds friend spells it Neve

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As does Neve Campbell, of course Smile

DalzielOrNoDalzielAndDontPascoe · 21/01/2025 10:50

Snowmanscarf · 21/01/2025 10:23

It’s not unique. Lots of girls are named it.

109th must points babe in 2923z

Mystic Meg, is that you?! [Grin]

BaronessBomburst · 21/01/2025 10:50

I was just thinking what lovely names Ruth and Carol are, as mentioned by a PP.

Topseyt123 · 21/01/2025 10:50

Needmorelego · 21/01/2025 10:43

Could people stop using the word "chavvy".
It's horrible.

Horrible or not, it's true in the case of this name. It is the very definition of chavvy!

takealettermsjones · 21/01/2025 10:50

I wouldn't do it if I were you! I spend my life correcting the spelling and pronunciation of my name, as it's from a different culture. People giving their kids "unique" spellings on purpose is my pet piamh.

Hazeby · 21/01/2025 10:49

It doesn’t matter what any of us think of any of your name choices. You don’t have to come on here to seek support and justify yourself - you don’t like it and that’s it. Same applies to him.

The only thing that’s non-negotiable is that you both have to like the name.

toastofthetown · 21/01/2025 10:49

Spanglemum02 · 21/01/2025 10:46

Have you tried the Baby Names board? Agree with the PP who said there's some ageism on this thread. And some snobbery. Plus when I was a kid I couldn't imagine a 50 something Tracy but now I know several. Similarly when I was 18 in 1986 and first heard the name Joshua in a music hall song. I couldn't imagine anyone calling a child that. Some names are popular for a short spell and some names are more classic.

You just need to find something you both agree on.

In fairness, the Baby Name board is categorically not the place to get away from name snobbery.

Mrsdyna · 21/01/2025 10:49

Don't do it, awful name!

PickledElectricity · 21/01/2025 10:48

If he gets to veto your names then you get to veto his 🤷‍♀️ tell him to come up with a shortlist of names he likes and you'll review them.

You're the one who will be registering the birth so stand firm.

FallenRaingel · 21/01/2025 10:48

Leilani or a varied spelling of it is also an American (Hawaii) name meaning Heavenly if that's what he wants

Neveah might be incorrectly prounced Nivea, does he want his child named after a moisturiser?

toastofthetown · 21/01/2025 10:48

Nevaeh is in the top hundred so no one will have to imagine a 50 year old Nevaeh when she’s fifty, because they’ll exist in a decent volume. Honestly I wouldn’t use a single name your DH or you have suggested for my baby so while he’s unreasonable to dig his heels in on one name you don’t like, he’s not unreasonable to not like the names you’ve suggested instead.

There’s a baby name app called Kinder which might help you find a name. It works like Tinder for baby names, and if you match on a name it joins a joint list.

Ineedanewsofa · 21/01/2025 10:48

slightly off topic but are you supposed to pronounce this as ‘neeve’? I’ve been saying it ‘nev-ah’!

Topseyt123 · 21/01/2025 10:47

In answer to your question, he's utterly deluded.

Nevaeh I not a unique name. It's a rabbit hole some parents seem to have gone down though, probably believing it IS actually unique. It isn't. It's quite frankly a horrendous, ugly and ridiculous name and a child should not be saddled with it.

I agree that Niamh (you can spell it Neve) could be a compromise, if you can get your DH to extract his head from his arse for long enough to think about it.

I would absolutely use my veto if I were in your shoes. My foot would go down hard! Not happening! You need to do this, or you might regret not doing it.

This is one of the few occasions where I think that showing DH this thread might actually be a good idea. It might just get through to him what so many others will think of the name, and why it shouldn't be imposed on your new baby.

Snoopdoggydog123 · 21/01/2025 10:47

Needmorelego · 21/01/2025 10:43

Could people stop using the word "chavvy".
It's horrible.

So is the name.

OccasionalHope · 21/01/2025 10:47

It’s awful, and far from unique.

What about Celeste or Celestine? Also means heaven, also unusual, but much nicer.

Other pretty and unusual names might include
Amaryllis
Damaris
Rosaline
Juliana
Alethea
Calista
Jessamine

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