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Original poster

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:
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.

Kendodd · 15/12/2025 21:28

Did they ask you what you think?

TheMorgenmuffel · 15/12/2025 21:28

Only give them your opinion if they actually ask you for it.

Mischance · 15/12/2025 21:27

Oh good grief! - how can you even ask!? - just zip the lip!

And keep it zipped when this GC is being brought up - there will be times when you think their parenting actions are bonkers but you say nowt - never, ever!

Backtorealityerr · 15/12/2025 21:27

I actually don’t think those names are hideous but definitely not my taste !
My Mum was horrified 30 years ago when I mentioned a name for my child if he had been female. I wasn’t offended ,just relieved now that he wasn’t female 😂

bitterexwife · 15/12/2025 21:27

Promote Gigi as your favourite of the two. Hope they bump into someone with a cat called Tiggi in the meantime

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 15/12/2025 21:27

Not your role unfortunately. I think the names are awful too and would be much better as shortened nick names. But like I said, not your place.

Pineapples123 · 15/12/2025 21:26

My nickname is tiggy (started as tigger when I was about 13), everyone calls me tiggs. It’s nothing like my real name 😆 I have a v professional, high earning job and tiggs flies absolutely fine. Only my parents call me by my ‘real’ name, and even they shorten that to just its first letter.

i guess even if they name their child one of these there’s a good chance it could shift to something completely different at some point

Owly11 · 15/12/2025 21:25

How will you feel if they go ahead and use the names after you have said you don't like them? This has implications for the rest of your life! For the love of God keep your mouth shut. If they really are truly awful names then can't you persuade a distant cousin to say something instead?

Yourlifeinyourhands · 15/12/2025 21:25

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

Show quote history

Tiggi sounds like a cats name and Gigi a prostitutes!

titchy · 15/12/2025 21:24

MorningCoffees2 · 15/12/2025 21:21

Those names are awful. I don't see why it's such a bad thing for you to have an opinion. Isn't that how friendships and relationships develop, when we are open about our thoughts and feelings?Why does everyone have to remain neutral and positive? It makes for very shallow relationships.

Even if it offends someone? No. There are times to be open and honest - when we are asked our opinion. And there are times when we keep our mouths shut because maintaining a good relationship is more important than our unwanted and irrelevant opinions.

PinkPanther57 · 15/12/2025 21:24

I know a Tigi aka Tamara. Gigi is Spencer’s child, Made in Chelsea, plus literary you might argue at push.

Makingpeace · 15/12/2025 21:23

GhostsJulianforPrimeMinister · 15/12/2025 21:18

That was to giving advice not the names, the names are irrelevant

Same response also applies to the names, too though.

God no! Awful names.
God no! Don't intervene.

Hankunamatata · 15/12/2025 21:23

Gigi - ok if its prounuced French style but also could awful if its hard G. Like im betting on the GGs

Tiggi - life time of piss taking

jadoreyes · 15/12/2025 21:21

I don’t like the names but I think it’s time to bite your tongue. I’d only express a negative view if they were unwittingly planning to call their baby Bernadette Umhole or Orla Sechs or something. Just not liking the names is not enough.

MorningCoffees2 · 15/12/2025 21:21

Those names are awful. I don't see why it's such a bad thing for you to have an opinion. Isn't that how friendships and relationships develop, when we are open about our thoughts and feelings?Why does everyone have to remain neutral and positive? It makes for very shallow relationships.

ApparentlyIsMyCircusAndMyMonkeys · 15/12/2025 21:21

Don’t say anything. It won’t end well. They’ll remember the conversation and it’ll sour the positive relationship you have.
Speaking from experience!

jabuiiiia · 15/12/2025 21:21

Imagine the reverse… my MIL is interfering with our baby names, nothing I ever do is good enough for her etc etc

LilyLemonade · 15/12/2025 21:21

Bite your tongue or be extremely indirect / non-committal.

It's such an emotive choice, people are easily put off the name they love by others' comments. I would really leave it to them to choose - and naming styles overall change over the generations so I think those names wouldn't be very unusual now.

PegDope · 15/12/2025 21:21

You’re right, they’re awful.

But, keep yourself out of. Smile and nod.

Buscobel · 15/12/2025 21:19

I don’t mind Gigi. Not so keen on Tiggi(e).

SmoothCollie · 15/12/2025 21:18

Why would you think you have a right to tell them this? 😂 It's none of your business.

GhostsJulianforPrimeMinister · 15/12/2025 21:18

That was to giving advice not the names, the names are irrelevant

GhostsJulianforPrimeMinister · 15/12/2025 21:17

God no

Original poster
Ellase · 15/12/2025 21:17

snugasabug75 · 15/12/2025 21:15

And the name is.......?

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

OP posts:
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