Completely negative real life reaction to baby name....

Serafina and Claudia are both on my name ideas list for DC2 (due next week...)

A close friend of mine called me a couple of weeks before DD (Ruth) was born - we hadn't told anyone our name shortlist - and said, 'I had a dream last night that you called your baby Ruth - you won't call her that, will you, I really really don't like it'. We still called her Ruth - and it's her. That's her name. As another poster said above, children take ownership of their name and even people who have previously disliked the name will grow to like it (or at least get used to it) as they grow to love your child.

It's a lovely name. Your baby, use which ever name you like.

It's probably not a name I would choose, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Sometimes you should listen to what other people say about the name e.g. the poster who wanted to call her baby 'Slithery', but as long as it's an actual name then go with what you like.

I like it but prefer it spelled Serafina.

Their problem not yours OP, the name will grow on them. It is a lovely name and you will really regret it if you don't use it.

When I was born my father told his boss my name and he replied "That's a bit posh for you isn't it" my father told him to bugger off.

I have a very classic and very beautiful name and I have never been 'judged' by it or had to spell it or explain it. I love it.

Seraphina is a very feminine and timeless name. Go for it.

Lovely name. Ignore anyone that tells you otherwise.

I have a Claudia. Midwife looked at 2hr old Claudia and when told her name, tilted head to one said and asked "did you name her after someone?" in a sympathetic voice. I replied in the negative and she physically turned her nose up.

DNiece was more direct, "it's ugly but it'll grow on me". "Just like you" I replied

We didn't call ds2 the name we loved because of the same reaction. Instead we went for safe, boring second choice. He's 14 now and I still regret him not being the name he should have been. Grandparents should never get a say.

I love it but couldn't use it for either of my DD's as it would have made their initials SS. As others have said 'sod them' your daughter your choice.

I know a seraphina

She calls herself fin

It's a lovely name

One of my favourite shortenings - Sephy or Seffy. Just sounds lovely. And so unusual.

It's a lovely name. My friends 3 year old is called Serafina, it never gets shortened. Ignore the grandparents, they had their chance to name their own kids.

Aw I think its lovely!

When I was pg my work colleagues would always laugh/mock my choice of name if I had a ds - the usual "you can't call a baby that" etc.....

I had a ds and apart from one rude random lady in a park I have had nothing but compliments.

I think when you are pg people will be very forthright in their opinions and unless its a name they would personally choose, they will not like it no matter what. Once baby is here they tend to shut up and be less rude about your choices because its happened/real iyswim?

Oh and my ds is called Arthur - not particularly radical!

it's a great name and if you've always loved it, use it for your child. They have had their own go at choosing names for their dc and now it is your turn - use it and enjoy it and don't let anyone else spoil it for you.

Just out of interest - your name, your dh's name, your siblings names, names that have been chosen by your friends - how many of them do you like and how many of them do you think hmmmm?

In fact, regardless of what you think of the names they have chosen, what would happen if you were to turn around and say 'well seeing what you've chosen as names, you can hardly have a go at me!!!'? . If they get all uppity and defensive about their name choice(s) then you can point out that it really doesn't matter whether or not you like the names that they chose as it was their turn to chose the names. And you have merely said to them what they said to you - if they can't take it, they shouldn't have said anything to you. It might show them exactly how hurtful their comments have been!

It's a lovely name - she can always call herself Sera if she wants to. My mother had some odd comments about my DCs names but they are what we picked and they have grown into them. (Wish my mother had called me Seraphina!)

I dont like it, but please dont listen to anyone else if you love it. I do like Sera though!

In any case, children take ownership of their names as they grow. It stops being something you chose/gave them an just becomes theirs. Your family will get used to the name and come to love it as they love her.

Stick to your guns..They'll come to love it. I was convinced I was having a Matilda( my favourite name) and EVERYONE hated it. I cared not a jot.. turns out she looked more like a Martha and this was hated marginally less. My dad especially hated it. Now he likes it.. as he's had no choice. Your baby..your choice!
Congratulations!!!!

Never tell anyone your chosen name until the baby is born. It's much harder to complain about if it's already someone's name.

Tell them that since they all hate it, you're going with drusilla instead. Then call her seraphina when she's born and don't worry about what people think.

pretty name imo.
Stick to your guns. other people will get used to it and suck it up.
congratulations :-)

I used to work with a truly lovely, serene and talented woman called Seraphina. Stick to your guns. If you like it then sod 'em.

It really doesnt matter what other people think.

I dont like it, the previous posters do. I've seen people on here saying they dont like my DC's names, so what, I liked them when I chose them, I like them now years later.

I have 6 grandchildren and only really like 4 of the names chosen for them but it wasnt my choice it was up to their mums and dads.

Go with what you like and stuff everyone else!

I should also say- we had lots of negative reactions to dd2 name- Florence Ottilie but everyone accepts it now.

It's a lovely name, but I don't think we are posh enough to carry it off!

Agree with not telli g the name until the baby is born. Not that that stopped my family telli g me what they thought!