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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:
ChaliceinWonderland · 15/12/2025 21:52

Gigi is the dimuitive of the Italian male name luigi
They can't have done much research.

Scottishskifun · 15/12/2025 21:52

My suggestion OP would be to say casually you never know what name they are going to suit til you meet them you were going to be a Colin til I met you! Why don't you make a short list of 5 names and see which suits them best and smile!

My mum actually did this with me she hated our front runner and actually meeting DS1 he didn't suit it at all. DS2 my DH wasn't fond of my front runner and was set on a name but then meeting DS2 he said nope doesn't suit it he suits your name!

Rainydayinlondon · 15/12/2025 21:52

Tiggi Legge Burke was a royal nanny!

AlwaysRightISwear · 15/12/2025 21:51

Tiggi is dreadful. Gigi wouldn't be to my taste but is less awful.

EconomyClassRockstar · 15/12/2025 21:51

I know two Gigi's but their full names are both Gabriella. I also know 3 Grandma's that go by Gigi too.

Anyway, you don't say anything. You've had your turn of name choosing and now it's theirs.

ViaRia01 · 15/12/2025 21:51

The names are both fine. Little one will ‘become’ their given name in no time at all, and all will be fine.

swingingbytheseat · 15/12/2025 21:50

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

🤣🤣🤣 !!!

deadpan · 15/12/2025 21:50

My MIL was apoplectic about our choice for our second which was a traditional Celtic name. When he reached about 3 she said how it suited him and seemed non plussed by her previous reaction

DrMickhead · 15/12/2025 21:48

There are 3 Gigi’s in my sons school Im aware of, I think it will grow with popularity. Tiggy seems to be alternative to Gigi, like when lily-mae became very popular so named like “milly Jae” or “Tilly Rae” were used instead.

Anyway say nothing and hope that this doesn’t end up being picked up by the mail.

Ilikesundays · 15/12/2025 21:48

I seem to remember a couple calling their child Lillibet and I believe the late Queen held her tongue although she wasn’t pleased about it.

deadpan · 15/12/2025 21:47

@NuffSaidSam 😂

clary · 15/12/2025 21:47

Gigi is a sweet name – and it is not a nickname for anything AFAIK. It’s a French name surely? Collette used the name in the 1940s (tho that story is not really aspirational).

Tiggi I am not keen on personally and pretty sure that is usually a nickname (for Matilda I think? Or Antigone?? which is deffo not a good story for a name).

But either way, I have heard a lot worse tbh. And no you can't say anything. My mother, on hearing DS1's name, said it sounded very old fashioned and like a cat's name. I have never forgotten that even tho it was 20+ years ago (and we were well ahead of the naming curve haha). She should have said Oh that's lovely dear. Suggest you do that OP.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 15/12/2025 21:47

partytimed · 15/12/2025 21:31

I know a few Gigi’s it’s becoming a very popular name

This could be a worthwhile 'back door' for OP.

"Oh, wow, ANOTHER Gigi or Tiggi? Gracious, they are everywhere now! Well, you're in very good company as half of the girls in her class will have the same name... so at least everybody will know very well how to spell it!!"

Then see if they maybe have a change of heart and give her an extraordinarily outlandish name for babies born in 2026 - like Claire or Lisa!

DaisyChain505 · 15/12/2025 21:46

Not your baby not your name . Unless you want to cause huge friction I suggest you bite your tongue and also ask for this thread to be removed.

InterestedDad37 · 15/12/2025 21:46

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

Gawd, stop them at all costs! Poor child 👍

Itiswhysofew · 15/12/2025 21:46

I'm not one for diminutives being used as complete names, but I actually quite like Tiggy & Gigi. Prefer Tiggy with a y.

Tiggy(Alexandra) Legge-Bourke, Princes William & Harry's nannie.

canklesmctacotits · 15/12/2025 21:44

Oh you’ve got some rough times ahead if this is what you’re like before the baby’s even born!

HopingForTheBest25 · 15/12/2025 21:43

I think it's okay to have (and share) opinions with our adult dc. Relationships shouldn't be so fragile that a difference in opinion would threaten them. I think it's awful that mums/mils are expected to walk on eggshells all the time.

My family were quite outspoken about some of my name choices and tbf, some of those choices were definitely a bit bonkers, in retrospect.
I went ahead with the names I had my heart set on but if a loving mum can see you are making a choice that might negatively impact on your child, sons/daughters should chill out and see it comes from a good place and not take offence. If their heart is set on it, they might do it anyway, but equally, it might give pause for thought.

Zippideeblahblah · 15/12/2025 21:43

They might not use Mumsnet but they may well see it when it’s picked up by online news sites

Pippa12 · 15/12/2025 21:43

I know two Gigi’s, they are both Indian, maybe it’s a popular name in India. I think it’s nice. Tiggi is different but I don’t think either are hideous?

PinkPanther57 · 15/12/2025 21:43

Gee Gee or Jiggy for pronunciation for GiGi? Hopefully not latter.

Penisbeakeralltheclassics · 15/12/2025 21:42

I know a Tiggy

Bloodylovecheese · 15/12/2025 21:42

Gigi reminds me of the famous film. I actually like it.
Tiggi not so much, but not your baby, not your choice. Keep quiet else you'll not be even seeing your grandchild.

JayJayj · 15/12/2025 21:42

Not your baby not your choice.

Bobbysmumma · 15/12/2025 21:41

I actually love the names 🤣

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