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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell them their baby name options aren’t great?

262 replies

Ellase · 15/12/2025 21:07

I can be fairly confident DS and DIL don’t use Mumsnet so I’m prepared to take a risk and post this.

DS and his wife are expecting their first baby, all very exciting, a little girl. Tonight they came over and we were chatting names and they told me what their two front runners are, and well they aren’t inherently awful, but they are diminutives that aren’t well established as names in their own right (so we aren’t talking Milly or Rosie which are now fully fledged names). I asked if they were planning to use a longer name too and was told absolutely not. This worries as I feel their child won’t much appreciate having a name that is not well established, sounds a bit off (I don’t know how to explain better than that), and could easily have a longer name that would provide more optionality however they choose to live their life.

Should I cautiously mention it or just bite my tongue? We have a very positive relationship generally and they tend to be open to advice.

OP posts:
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HugglesAndSnuggles · 17/12/2025 08:03

Just to add, we told our friends that their number 1 girls choice was awful and fug ugly. They chose something else and we’re still besties 4 years later. It turned out that at least 5 other people had said the same 😂

HugglesAndSnuggles · 17/12/2025 08:01

Yup, they’re awful. Sound like stripper names.

Poodleville · 17/12/2025 07:25

We have a very positive relationship generally and they tend to be open to advice.

This can change when a pregnancy and baby are new to the equation! Advice feels more loaded somehow.

Lelophants · 17/12/2025 07:18

mathanxiety · 17/12/2025 03:31

Tiggi and Gigi?

They are pulling your leg so you'll love the name they eventually reveal.

These are real names. Every heard of Gigi Hadid?

Sharptonguedwoman · 17/12/2025 06:58

Leftsidefacing · 17/12/2025 01:12

Is it from a popular story of the time?

I don’t think so, not that I’ve ever heard. I’m from the era where boys were called Peter and girls were Patricia.

mathanxiety · 17/12/2025 03:31

Tiggi and Gigi?

They are pulling your leg so you'll love the name they eventually reveal.

Cappie73 · 17/12/2025 01:27

Ellase · 15/12/2025 21:17

I’ll share only as I’m fairly certain neither of them use this website and they said they haven’t shared the names with anyone else but their two top names were Tiggi and Gigi

😮😮😮

Bones101 · 17/12/2025 01:24

Mille and Rosie are lovely.

Be glad it's not ___ Mae or Ella like every 2nd child now lol

Leftsidefacing · 17/12/2025 01:12

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 20:38

Oh agreed. I don’t like my name much. It is a name of its time and dated. There aren’t many of us and we’re all over 60.

Is it from a popular story of the time?

Lelophants · 16/12/2025 22:16

Grapewrath · 16/12/2025 21:12

Youve had your kids to name, let them have their own choices
Gigi is lovely and very popular at the minute.
I’ve also known several Tiggys over the years. It’s not my favourite.. but no idea what your problem is about it being ‘well established’. Do you live in Downton Abbey?

Are these the names? They’re gorgeous! And very normal in the ‘posh’ area near me!

Lelophants · 16/12/2025 22:14

Mmmkaay · 15/12/2025 21:14

I don't know - I think, if tactfully phrased, you could say something like "oh that's adorable, I really like it. Had you thought about giving her a professional version so she can also have a "shit hot lawyer" name? I think that's a lovely gift to give a child" . That way you're not negating their choices, just making them think outside the box of 'cute tiny baby ' to the fact that baby will be a grown up one day!

That will really annoy them and of course theyll have thought that but like it anyway.

Lelophants · 16/12/2025 22:13

They’re not asking your advice. They know how the names sound and still like them. Prepare for a new level of tongue biting!
Also they’ll have known your feelings from your questions to them about it.

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 22:09

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 22:06

Sorry I misunderstood when you said "Oh no. Absolutely no. You need the shit hot lawyer name conversation. " - as advice to the OP have the lawyer name conversation with the parents to be.

It was just an opinion! I’d never say it out loud to anyone involved. Ever.

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 22:06

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 21:58

I am not advising. It’s none of my business and best if she says nothing too. At no point have I suggested she voice an opinion and in her shoes I wouldn’t either.

Sorry I misunderstood when you said "Oh no. Absolutely no. You need the shit hot lawyer name conversation. " - as advice to the OP have the lawyer name conversation with the parents to be.

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 21:58

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 21:52

And that's fine for you and any children you may name, but not to be advising the OP to intervene with outdated ideas about what appropriate names are.

I am not advising. It’s none of my business and best if she says nothing too. At no point have I suggested she voice an opinion and in her shoes I wouldn’t either.

GrinchiestGrinch · 16/12/2025 21:52

In my family we are quite open. My mum still muses why I gave my kids the names I did. It's annoying but then a lot of her opinions annoy me. I still love her.

Im trying to imagine if I felt the same if it was mil who was so critical. Im not sure. I guess it depends oj your relationship. If you do decide to say something maybe only tell your son.

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 21:52

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 21:44

I sort of know this but would always, always give the option of a more formal name. Just me.

And that's fine for you and any children you may name, but not to be advising the OP to intervene with outdated ideas about what appropriate names are.

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 21:45

AngelinaFibres · 16/12/2025 21:07

Tiggy Legge-Bourke

Alexandra, her name is.

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 21:44

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 21:42

That's so funny. When Teddy grows up the shit hot lawyer names will be Muhammad, Lucas, Freddie, Isla, Poppy, Luna etc. Teddy will fit right in.

I sort of know this but would always, always give the option of a more formal name. Just me.

CypressGrove · 16/12/2025 21:42

Sharptonguedwoman · 16/12/2025 14:06

Oh no. Absolutely no. You need the shit hot lawyer name conversation. Friend's grandson is 'Teddy'. Not Edward, Teddy. I guess he can be Ted but honestly, do people think their children never grow up?

That's so funny. When Teddy grows up the shit hot lawyer names will be Muhammad, Lucas, Freddie, Isla, Poppy, Luna etc. Teddy will fit right in.

lucyloo25 · 16/12/2025 21:33

it has nothing to do with you

truffleruffle · 16/12/2025 21:31

You know that child will grow into what ever name they give and it could be really popular in a year or two. It is their choice and you will love this GC no matter what.

Grapewrath · 16/12/2025 21:12

Youve had your kids to name, let them have their own choices
Gigi is lovely and very popular at the minute.
I’ve also known several Tiggys over the years. It’s not my favourite.. but no idea what your problem is about it being ‘well established’. Do you live in Downton Abbey?

Theslummymummy · 16/12/2025 21:10

Each to their own. People who think kids will care are in my opinion just clutching onto that idea because they don't like the name. Unusual names are the norm these days, kids don't care.

AngelinaFibres · 16/12/2025 21:07

titchy · 15/12/2025 21:28

Tiggy Bourke-Legg did ok with her name…. It maybe a nickname but she’s used it forever. Gigi wouldn’t be out of place on a Masters in the Renaissance at the Courtald either so they work on several levels actually.

Tiggy Legge-Bourke

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