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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Genuine admiration for new baby's name

89 replies

firefoxy · 30/12/2011 23:20

Do you get this every time you say your baby's/DC's name? And if yes, what's your child called? Trying to get a feel for unique but not too out there names.

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BlastOff · 31/12/2011 05:09

Why are you so bothered what other people think? I'm fairly sure that most comments are insincere tbh. Especially unusual ones - people don't know what to say and so are likely to say something positive rather than negative. I have been guilty of this because I would never ever tell someone I think their choice is ridiculous nOt to my taste.

Go for something you love, not everyone will like the name you choose and don't seek validation from other people. If nOt everyone responds the way you hope, you will be disappointed.

Fwiw, I don't like marianna or Antonia at all, and I think Ivo is ok but not special.

I'm not usually so harsh on here, but I do think you should question your motivation, and be looki g for something you love rather than how others will perceive it for being so clever to have picked it.

EttiKetti · 31/12/2011 04:37

Rory gets nothing but positive comments and questions as to our heritage too (no, really, not celtic at all, we just like the name....)

OneHandWavingFree · 31/12/2011 04:33

My dd is two and is named Kathleen. She is the only one under 50 ten that I know :)

People (especially people over 30) always comment on it as a 'classic' and say that it's refreshing to hear such a lovely name being used again. Regardless of whether they mean it or are just being polite, it is nice to hear because I agree with them!

I also like knowing that if she dislikes her name as she grows, or thinks it's dated or whatever, she's bound to find something she can live with among its many nicknames. If she ends up as Kate, Katie, Kathy, Kath, Kat, Kitty, or Lena, that's fine too.

DriverDan · 31/12/2011 02:12

Not really unusual or unique but I get lots of compliments for DD2 named Anna, I think because it is simple and classic. My brother is the only one who doesn't like it as it is "an old lady name" according to him! It's not very popular where I live either as I have met no other babies with the name, none in DD2's nursery or DD1's school year of 90.

Original poster
firefoxy · 31/12/2011 01:58

HKK, understand what you're saying but i'm not after the polite cooing over type of baby names. I honestly believe there are names out there which attract genuine admiration from the majority of people for being nice and traditional yet a little bit different and unusual. As one of my friends says, when random people express their unexpected positive opinion in the most unusual scenarios, like when the administrators at the GP's surgery can't refrain themselves from commenting every time you phone them for an appointment, or when you're sitting in A&E with your sick baby and the doctor is eager to know how you came up with such a lovely name...
Don't get me wrong I don't want a name that everyone admires, I want inspiration to the kind of names I know I would use but most probably haven't thought of. Such names I like are along the lines of Marianna, Ivo, Antonia etc..... but these have all been used by people I know.

OP posts:
HereKittyKitty · 31/12/2011 00:34

I think it's a hard one, as there is no one name, or type of name that everyone likes. Most people will do the polite thing and coo over any new baby, regardless of being called John or Tyger-Pyxie. My PIL are the exception and have slagged off every name we've ever mentioned to them...

I think another thing is how connected a person is to naming trends. New parents/TTCers/teachers have a good grasp on recent fashions and trends, and would take a Kai, a Jayden, a Lily, or an Isabelle in their stride, but many do not. My mum proclaimed how "unusual" a friend's daughters were; they are Olivia and Sophie - both really popular at the moment.

As long as you love it!

Original poster
firefoxy · 31/12/2011 00:17

No particular names in mind as yet, but knowing myself would rather go for something conventional yet unusual, the sort of name that attracts an instant positive 'wow' if you know what I mean. And IMO all the names mentioned above would fall into that category. So pls keep them coming!

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stripygiraffe · 31/12/2011 00:13

I have a Jonah and it feels like silk on my tongue when I say it. I do get niice comments but I also know it is not everyone's cup of tea. It's an easy to spell (except you HV - no he is not called Johan) and not very common name, which is important to me. I do hope he loves it too.

Original poster
firefoxy · 31/12/2011 00:08

Currently pg with 1st baby, so no children as yet, but friends with two or three DC often say how they get lots of genuinely positive remarks re. the name(s) of one or two particular DC, but not so much or none re. the others.

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tummytickler · 30/12/2011 23:57

I have 4 dc, and I love all their names, but the one I really, really love is Amos. He is 4 1/2 and every time I say his name, I just love it. I think it is because I wanted to use it for so many years but dh had always said no, and then he finally agreed!

Polkadotfanatic · 30/12/2011 23:43

Not me, but friend (who lives in USA) came over with her 2 month old a couple of months ago. Her little girl is called Martha (hard T, like Mart-a) and everyone thought it was gorgeous.

I think most people, unless they are being incredibly rude ''just speaking their mind" would cluck over any new baby and baby name regardless if they liked it or not, because they wouldnt want to appear rude.

I genuinely get name envy sometimes, when I hear what people have named their kids, because I like indulgent quirky names but even at the grand old age of thirty would be too worried what the family would think if I brought home a Pixie or a Dolly... Envy

What kind of names do you like, if you give us a couple of examples, we can help you better :)

Chynah · 30/12/2011 23:39

Alessandra always gets "ooh thats beautiful" type comments.

glammanana · 30/12/2011 23:35

My grand-daughter has a nice but unusal name she is called Louiza and always gets the full name from her mum,its a nice change from the usual trend of what is popular on TV.

CDMforever · 30/12/2011 23:28

My first 2 DCs' names are very traditional boys names but my DD's name always seems to get a positive reaction - usually "what a pretty name" or sometimes "thats posh!"

Its Arabella. I don't know of any other Arabellas where I live and I work in education so I'm exposed to alot of childrens' names.

I'm really proud that we chose this name, despite having fought hard for it with DH!