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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To veto DH’s baby name choice?

287 replies

DefiniteGrouse · 26/03/2025 14:47

Bit of a long one, sorry! Currently 32 weeks pregnant with twins (one boy, one girl) and DH has suddenly decided he must name them after his favourite romantic film couple. He thinks it’s cute and meaningful. I think it’s twee and naff.

For context, the film isn’t some timeless classic, more of a 90s/00s romcom. Not awful, but not exactly Shakespeare either. Think along the lines of Jack and Rose (it’s not that, but you get the vibe). The names are VERY tied to the film – like, you’d hear them together and immediately think of it.

I’ve said I’m not keen, but DH is really pushing it, saying I got more say on DD1’s name (not true, we both agreed!). He also reckons no one will make the connection, which is just nonsense because even my mum raised an eyebrow when we mentioned it!

AIBU to put my foot down? I want names that will grow with them, not make people say “oh, like that film?” every time they introduce themselves. DH is sulking and says I’m ruining something sentimental for him. WWYD?

Extra context:
• Not my PFB, we already have a 4yo DD
• Names are nice individually, just cringey together
• DH is lovely but can be a bit of a dreamer when it comes to this stuff

OP posts:
FloreatE · 26/03/2025 18:57

I never normally say this, @DefiniteGrouse but I sort of think you should either show him this thread or suggest he tests it out anonymously for himself.

Never mind Jack and Rose; Fred and Rose would be preferable to this.

Bigcat25 · 26/03/2025 18:53

I don't like the idea of naming siblings after a romantic couple, that seems weird. I also don't like him not factoring in your opinion.

SpidersAreShitheads · 26/03/2025 18:51

Quite aside from the weirdness of naming a brother and sister after a romantic couple, your DH needs to consider the dynamic of twins.

Its very different than just brother and sister, even when siblings are close in age.

Twins share everything - the same birthday, first day at school, developmental stages. Lots of people treat twins as a single unit rather than two people with individual likes/dislikes/interests. Don’t even get me started on them being referred to collectively as “the twins”….. 🙄

Lots of twins are quite fierce about wanting their own identity, and understandably so. Doesn’t matter how close they are, no one wants to feel as if they’re not unique.

So naming twins in a matchy matchy way is a complete no-go, imo. Each child should feel unique, and not as if their name was chosen specifically to be part of a pair.

You can probably tell I have twins 😂😂

TunnocksOrDeath · 26/03/2025 18:48

Naming siblings after any couple is bad enough, but after a couple who end up together because, as stated categorically in the movie: “the sex part always gets in the way” is just a really really really bad thing to do to your children.
He hasn’t thought this through at all.

BeatrizBoniface · 26/03/2025 18:44

How about Monica and Chandler?
(Although I'd laugh if Chandler turned out to be a girl!)

ruethewhirl · 26/03/2025 18:43

lalaloopyhead · 26/03/2025 18:37

Harry & Sally has got to be the worst twin name combo ever, everyone will think of the film and the orgasm faking scene...no, no and thrice no!

I'm not a fan on matching names in general, I even vetoed matching names when we got two cats 😸

Oh, cat-pair-name-wise we've had a Jake and Elwood and a Chilli and Pepper so far, and still going strong... 😸

lalaloopyhead · 26/03/2025 18:37

Harry & Sally has got to be the worst twin name combo ever, everyone will think of the film and the orgasm faking scene...no, no and thrice no!

I'm not a fan on matching names in general, I even vetoed matching names when we got two cats 😸

ruethewhirl · 26/03/2025 18:35

BelloItalia · 26/03/2025 14:53

Please let it be Ross and Rachel

Ooh, you've just given me inspiration for my next pair of kittens... 😸

TunipTheVegimal24 · 26/03/2025 18:31

On a serious note, both parents have to agree names, even when the suggestion isn't clearly bonkers.

Your husband is actually being quite unkind stressing you out about it too, whether or not it's a joke. You are pregnant after all. With twins!

SometimesCalmPerson · 26/03/2025 18:31

Harry and sally is awful. Strong veto.

80DaysAroundTheLounge · 26/03/2025 18:30

DefiniteGrouse · 26/03/2025 15:23

I wasn’t going to say the names, but since everyone’s guessing, they’re Harry and Sally.

No just no. It's as bad as calling them Bonnie and Blue!

Hwi · 26/03/2025 18:27

I love the illusions of grandeur on here - name change, obvs, too outing obvs, Jack and Rose - it is not that obviously. Like anybody gives a shit, really. I hope your children are healthy and happy, otherwise, who cares what they are called, unless it is idiotic like Apple or Cucumber, etc.

Headabovetheparapets · 26/03/2025 18:26

A quick ask around a group ages 40-80 all linked Harry & Sally with “that scene in the diner” plenty didn’t know the film specifically but had heard of the scene. So it would be a no from me.
DH did ask are you sure he’s not winding you up.🙄

EeewDavid · 26/03/2025 18:24

What about Ally and Noah… less obvious :)

TunipTheVegimal24 · 26/03/2025 18:21

BelloItalia · 26/03/2025 14:53

Please let it be Ross and Rachel

I was thinking this 😂

Dideon · 26/03/2025 18:18

Him saying you’ve ’killed the magic’ would worry me more !

2025willbemytime · 26/03/2025 18:16

Oh
My
God.

100% no. He can not name them Harry and Sally. For a start the film, then the fact they nearly rhyme, then just no.

My ex h tricked me into what we named our first child but tbh it suits him perfectly. But otherwise both parents have to agree.

BeatrizBoniface · 26/03/2025 18:11

ruethewhirl · 26/03/2025 18:06

Is it just me or is 'Veto' starting to sound really good?

(Sorry, couldn't resist a Phoebe from Friends quote. As you were. 😂 PS: I'm with you, OP.)

Edited

😂
"My name is Rain and I wear a skirt made from wheat"

Arcticlife · 26/03/2025 18:10

Ok, if not Harry and Sally, then how about Tristan and Isolde? 🤣🙈

ruethewhirl · 26/03/2025 18:06

Is it just me or is 'Veto' starting to sound really good?

(Sorry, couldn't resist a Phoebe from Friends quote. As you were. 😂 PS: I'm with you, OP.)

ttcat37 · 26/03/2025 18:02

”ok but they get my surname then, right?”

Words · 26/03/2025 18:02

Erica And Ernie?

BeatrizBoniface · 26/03/2025 18:01

They're not even particularly nice names!
Poor you 😞

SunnyWarrington · 26/03/2025 18:00

Real name posting here - as someone who spent my childhood fending off comments about my name, no! Even if people don't get the film reference, they'll end up Hal and Sal. Though I just asked, and even my DS25 got the film ref

BeatrizBoniface · 26/03/2025 17:59

butterpuffed · 26/03/2025 17:49

Better than Harry and Meghan ...

😂😂😂

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