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Baby names

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

Original poster

I need an opinion on a name

63 replies

kalix · 02/06/2015 13:07

My wife and I are expecting our first child and we're having a boy. We both want to call him Jasper but my mother hates the name (to the point of being cruel) as does my wife's grandfather. We are sticking to our guns as we do not think it is their right to decide what our child is called and are sure that they'll get over themselves once the little one is born.
My reason for writing is that I just want some people who don't know us to voice their opinion on the name. We are now worried that we're so determined not to be bullied (seeing as we are grown adults) that we might be making a mistake.
Thanks

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Alisvolatpropiis · 03/06/2015 18:24

Jasper and Rupert could definitely be brothers!

LeoandBoosmum · 03/06/2015 18:17

The only thing that puts me off Jasper is Jasper Carrot, and that's not the name, it's cos I don't really like him, more of an association thing.
If you like it, go with it! I think of Rupert as along the same lines of Jasper if you are looking for other suggestions.

littlesupersparks · 03/06/2015 18:17

I've just called my baby jasper - it's a great name :-)

JulesJules · 03/06/2015 18:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ThatBloodyWoman · 03/06/2015 18:07

Great name!

We never told anyone names till after the births -that way no one coloured our choices.

marshmallowpies · 03/06/2015 18:03

My DF is Geoffrey and he is a slacks and sandals with socks kind of guy, just like you'd imagine a Geoff to be. But he's MY dad, so it's ok by me!

tictactoad · 03/06/2015 11:42

Jasper is nice. Geoffrey is 60 and wears Cotton Trader anoraks.

Just tell them you will be naming your baby as you see fit. They've had their turn.

spillyobeans · 03/06/2015 11:34

I dont think its bad if someone was to say 'not my cup of tea' etc about a name, but people tend to really go for it when they dont like it.

I really had my heart set on a name and i made the mistake of mentioning it to a collegue at work, she then said 'you cant call him that! Thats a dogs name!' And then proceeded to 'woof' at me everytime i saw herm i would have kept the name as its my choice....but the whole thing just put me off it Sad

LemonYellowSun · 03/06/2015 11:32

I makes me think of wasps, as it was always used as slang for wasps when I was a kid.

Quite like it though. To be honest, they had their turn to name children, now its your choice.

spillyobeans · 03/06/2015 11:31

Jaspers a nice name, unusual but not too much that its strange - plus a rare name that suits a baby/child/adult (im finding it really hard to see myself calling a name i like that would suit a small child but if i visulise calling an adult that name just sounds too childish!)

Sophronia · 03/06/2015 11:28

Jasper is a good name.

Fattycow · 03/06/2015 10:49

Nothing wrong with the name!

Alisvolatpropiis · 03/06/2015 08:44

Jasper is a fantastic name.

I found that both my grandmothers (mid 70's) didn't like it when I mentioned it before finding out I'm actually having a girl. One was fixated on Jasper Carrot (I conceded the baby would have to have dark hair), the other on it having been a slang term for wasp (?!) in the South of England, when she was young.

Had it turned out I was having a boy, I'd likely have duly ignored them both.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 03/06/2015 08:43

Nothing wrong with Jasper. Your baby, your choice, and anyone telling you otherwise should butt out.

RedToothBrush · 03/06/2015 08:29

Different generations naturally like different names. Trying to please everyone else is completely impossible for this reason. Someone will always be rude no matter what you call your child. It doesn't have any obviously bad associations. It sounds unfamiliar to your relatives at the moment; wait until he is born, everyone will get used to it very quickly.

carbolicsoaprocked · 03/06/2015 05:40

Jasper is a lovely name, it's also got a cool factor. Grin Some of the people we've told about our future DC's names (we told very few as didn't want anyone being nasty about our choices) didn't like them but we love them - not traditional names like Elizabeth or James but not unusual either. You'll never please everyone with your choices and this is your child, so please yourselves. Go for it!

TeaAndALemonTart · 03/06/2015 05:34

I don't like it, it means wasp here. I don't think it sounds nice.

sleepywombat · 03/06/2015 05:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nooka · 03/06/2015 05:26

I don't like Jasper very much but there's nothing particularly wrong with it, certainly not enough to 'hate' it.

I also totally agree that you should really avoid sharing names before the baby is born, too much possibility for upset.

Quasilulu · 03/06/2015 01:24

Jasper is a lovely name. My DM turned her nose up at our DD'S name even though it was a derivative of hers. No pleasing some people Hmm

RattieofCatan · 02/06/2015 14:34

I love Jasper, it's on my list for when I eventually have children! Tell them to sod off.

TranmereRover · 02/06/2015 14:25

Jasper is a lovely name, they're rude, and Geoff(rey) is a hideous burden for a baby. Screw them

purplemeggie · 02/06/2015 14:24

Firstly, I like it. I have a young relation called Jasper and a friend with a Jasper too - it's not completely "out there" - and I've never heard any negativity about it.

Secondly, my MIL was really rude about our choice of name for ds. Eventually, DH said "Stop going on about it Mum, we've registered his birth, it's too late now", which stopped her in her tracks. He's 7 now, and everyone's just accepted it.

RiverTam · 02/06/2015 14:23

you have now learnt the hard way never ever to discuss names before you actually name your baby!

Ignore them. Jasper is a perfectly nice name.

MamaLazarou · 02/06/2015 14:18

Tell her not to be so rude. She will just have to get used to it.

Once it is the name of her new favourite person, it will grow on her.

My mum laughed incredulously when I told her my baby son's name. Fortunately, I am an adult and don't need her approval.