MIL and name

I do empathise OP but I am going with the majority of posters here and will say use it. We could be in a very similar situation to you if DC2 turns out to be a boy - I made a promise which I would quite like to go back on now but I won't. No-one will use it anyway and think of the brownie points. Plus if she causes trouble in the future you can use it as evidence of your own selfless genoristy

I think people should get to name their own children. My MIL wanted us to call dd1 'LeShawn' and stopped speaking to us when we said no.

However, you have told your MIL that you are naming dd2 after her and you have named dd1 after your own mother. I don't think you should take it back. It's unkind.

Lynn is a fine name.

Go for 2 middle names
have something you like then lynn 3rd.

I would do what you want, and take the consequences. I would explain it away by saying it didn't go with the first name - ie Isobel Lynn doesn't sound that nice because the the repetition of L.

Ideally, I would choose something that represents your MIL in some way - ie her mn, a name like Carolyn, Evelyn etc, or maybe a name of her favourite flower (Rose).

If you feel strongly, I wouldn't just use Lynn. You don't get to name many babies and it is important to like the name you choose.

I don't think you can use any variations on it as you told her you would use her name not a nod to it.

Liny the Elder!

(Sorry that's not very helpful)

Lynn is a nice middle name, especially if you add an 'e' at the end of it. Think you'll have to use it now you told her you were going to!

I'm with MrsDV, you told her you are using it, it is just mean to take that away from her.

If you have a small surname especially it will sound really cute. Isabelle Lynn Jones or similar sounds great.

I think this is one of those times where you have to pick your battles. I like the name, it will go well with most choices of first name.

You said you would use her name and it is just not worth the fall out if you go back on it.

I don't think it has to be Lynn exactly. My mother in law is Suzanne and I would use something like Susannah instead. Or Josephine for my mom, who is Jody.

The name needs to be Lynn. That is MIL's name.

Not Linnet (great name though, if you gave the child this as a first name, that might be your only way out of the middle name Lynn), not Evelyn, Marilyn, Badgerlyn, Linster, Liny the Elder.

Lynn.

It's a nice, simple, plain middle name. And it's after her Granny.

That's nice.

Well, you did say it.

I think you should put it in there. first name, your choice MN, lynn surname.

I know a Lynnanne if that appeals.

Isobel Linnet is nice, named in MIL's honour

Oh dear. You've said it so I think you're stuck with it. It would be unkind to change your mind. The only way out I can think of is if she has a family middle name you could use or if you could use her maiden name?

You could cheat a bit with Evangeline? We were thinking of that for DC2 until he was born...or Linnet? I'm sure I've come across one of those before. Is it a bird or something ?

I'm with everyone else OP - you can't say it and then go back on it. It would be humiliating for your MIL.

It's a nice name (certainly not anything offensive and horrible about it) and it will be nice for your daughters to have a special connection to both sides of the family.

As a mum of two boys I would be upset if my DIL was quite happy to use her mum's name for DD1 but then decided against mine for DD2 (despite telling me she would!). Not kind.

If it is any help I used my MIL middle name for DD's middle name as her first name didn't really flow with the first name.

I agree though it is too late to back out now and tbh Lynn is perfectly nice for a middle name.

Could you use some variation of the name that you prefer, or a name which has the "lin" sound in it somewhere?

Ashlynn, Evelynn, Marilyn, Lynette, Belinda, Madeleine, Caitlyn, Gwendolyn, Carolyn, Jocelyn, Lena, Jaquelyn, Linnea?

Or how about a name which has a similar meaning or connection? Lynn means lake, waterfall, pool.

Bethesda (Beth) - a pool in Jerusalem supposed to have healing powers, means "house of mercy"
Tallulah - "leaping water"
Brooke - water or small stream
Zarya/Zaria - water priestess in mythology

I am a selfish cow about naming my babies. No one else gets a look in.
But even I think you have done it know. You told her you would AND you have already used your mums name.
I think you should do as you promised.
If you don't you can hardly blame you mil for being 'difficult'

She's already told people this grandchild is going to be called after her.

She will feel humiliated, not honoured, if invited to help choose another name.

You just can't do this to people.

Awkward indeed.. TBH I think you should give it a try, aside from your commitment to MIL, it is a nice name and that is what mn are here for.

If you really do not want to use it though, perhaps you can tell her your DD's mn will be after someone from your DH's side of the family (maybe her mother has a nice name? someone who meant a lot to your MIL?)?
Or try to use a similar name as it has been already suggested? (I am thinking about Evelyn too, but also Adeline, Marilyn... What kind of names do you like?)
Perhaps you can also ask her to choose the mn from a list of names your DH and you have approved? She should feel at least as honored..

You have committed to using it now.

And use the actual name, not a different name that has a passing similarity.

All the best DD2s have their Grandma's name as a middle name