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Baby names

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

Original poster

Do you consider the wider family when selecting names?

18 replies

MyNameIsKenAdams · 04/03/2014 23:30

I have a name in mind for DD2 (if the bump happens to be a girl), both first and middle names. Dh likes them too, and they sit nicely with DD1s name (although that isnt a pre-requisite), however I am anticipating the reaction from those around us, as the first name, whilst top twenty "in its day" is most definetly a marmite name now.

Dhs family are very conservative and all kids dating back since records began have been top ten solid classics. Except for a rogue obscure family member named after a truly excellent Sting song. Im going to use her as my back up when the LO arrives and we get Hmm face.

So, in short, should I even be worrying about this....does the wider family's opinion matter?

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phoolani · 04/03/2014 23:33

No. Unless you think it does. In which case it does. Does it?

Original poster
MyNameIsKenAdams · 04/03/2014 23:34

Oh god no. I love the name regardless of what anyone thinks, I just wasnt sure if it would be seen as being a pain in the arse at picking a name they will clearly hate.

OP posts:
TamerB · 04/03/2014 23:45

No!
Don't even discuss it beforehand with them. Just announce afterwards. They have had their turn choosing names- it is your turn.

steppemum · 04/03/2014 23:57

No, go with your choice. I would probably run it past someone I like whose opinion I trust, just to make sure it isn't horrendous!

So I am curious - what is the name??

Original poster
MyNameIsKenAdams · 05/03/2014 00:06

Ive run it past a friend who has a similar tast to make sure the hormones werent addling my brain.

Its Olive

OP posts:
onedev · 05/03/2014 00:08

Lovely name Grin

steppemum · 05/03/2014 00:08

That is really pretty, and it is a real name at least, so they can't complain that you have used a new fangled made up name!

They may huff and puff, but it will soon just become her name and they will get over it.

Original poster
MyNameIsKenAdams · 05/03/2014 00:09

Dd is Meg so I think it sits nicely too.

OP posts:
Wishfulmakeupping · 05/03/2014 00:10

Yy to not telling them beforehand I learnt the hard way.
Olive is a fab name btw

mumbaisapphirebluespruce · 05/03/2014 01:10

If you like it then go for it. Who cares what they think. Olive is a perfectly acceptable name. It may not be their taste, but they can't really argue with it. You aren't calling her Zonic or Typhanknee so I think they will get over it,

Burren · 05/03/2014 07:04

God, no. My parents and ILs think all children should be called John or Mary, and my SILs have identical 'top five in their day, slightly flashy and now very dated' taste in names.

Olive is lovely, and frankly, it wouldn't matter if it wasn't.

nagynolonger · 05/03/2014 07:17

The wider family's opinions (or anyone else's) count for nothing IMO.

We never repeated a cousins name just to avoid any confusion I supposes because there are lots of cousins. I discounted names I would have loved for my younger sons because my sisters chose them for their own sons.

FIL really wanted us to pick Frederick/William/Thomas type names when we had 4th and 5th sons because they were names passed from generation to generation in his line. We chose what we liked.

HerGraciousMajTheBeardedPotato · 05/03/2014 07:29

No it does not. Name your child whatever you like, and use that name. You do not need to be apologetic or justify your choice. Tell then why you like it, if you wish, but do not feel you have to justify it.

pizzachickenhotforyou · 05/03/2014 07:35

Of course not.

Had ILs tell me to my face they hated my baby's name. Well if I cared what they thought I'd of asked them to pick the name.
I just said 'oh right.' When they said it- wanted to say something else. How rude of them!

Writerwannabe83 · 05/03/2014 09:40

The only person in my family who knows what baby's planned name is, is my sister.

There's no way I'd tell anyone else - their opinions are not relevant Smile

squoosh · 05/03/2014 11:33

Definitely not.

My parents think all children should be called Neil or Ruth but actually adjust very well when faced with a more unusual name.

ShadowFall · 05/03/2014 13:18

We deliberately ruled out baby names that were also the names of living relatives, but that was as far as we went in terms of worrying about family and what we'd name our DC. And that was mainly to avoid confusion.

I wouldn't consider the wider family's opinion of my name choices to be relevant or important.

MrsT2007 · 06/03/2014 17:23

My parents were a bit sniffy of some names on our list, but once baby was here she just 'was' one of the names. So we chose it, & they've come to see why.

It's a lovely name!

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