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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would you use a name you love, knowing there may be rolled eyes?

229 replies

CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 09:26

The name is Willow.

Not particularly controversial!

But I know all our families will be a bit......eye rolly. They'll think it's hippie hilariousness. Possibly think its too silly a name to lumber a child with.

They probably won't say anything much to our faces, maybe the occasional "Oh, that's........ unusual.....why Willow?" with a fixed glassy smile.

But I'm cringing at the imagined snorts of derision that will happen behind our backs. What adds to it is that we have a ugly surname that doesn't really go with it AT ALL. So I can just imagine them all going "Willow ThatSurname???? Really??"

We love love love the name. But I don't want people to laugh at us! DH doesn't give a fuck, lol. But I don't have his confidence!

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Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:45

Oh we have kept it firmly to ourselves. Its going to come as a massive WTF moment to them all, I suspect. We'll be well gossiped about till the novelty wears off.

OP posts:
whywonthedgehogssharethehedge · 16/09/2016 10:43

It's your choice and it's not as out there as many names. It also doesn't have a wanky spelling. You get bonus points for that. Younique spellings piss me off far more.

Also as a girl she will get the choice later in life if she marries to change her surname so I wouldn't worry about that at all. I've now been married name for longer than any other surname (changed my name at 16 when my mum remarried) I love my married surname the best.

FuzzyOwl · 16/09/2016 10:42

People roll their eyes at all kinds of names so you can pick the most traditional, classic or popular name you can think of and some people won't like it. Luckily you don't need to please anyone else because she is your child and it's your choice of what name she has. My one bit of advice is to wait until she is born and then introduce her with the name as speaking from bitter experience some people are so rude about names you are considering when you are pregnant that you don't use them and regret it afterwards.

5madthings · 16/09/2016 10:42

It's a lovely name.

When we announced ds5's name we got asked if we were joking, we had already said if baby is a boy we really like this name but apparently people thought we were joking. Anyway after not liking it family now do like it.

Not sure why they thought it was a joke name. Unusual yes but not weird and a known name.

MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:42

You need to stop worrying about what cousins will think. If you call her Emma they may well then say 'oh Emma..........that's a bit..........dull isn't it?'.

ApricotExpat · 16/09/2016 10:39

Love, love, love Willow. Do it.

Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:39

I suspect there will be a definate age divide. I have told DH that hes going to be the one telling his very insular parents who live in a very traditional town. I know we have quite a few earth parent friends locally who will adore it. (We have moved to one of those hippyish towns, not Glastonbury but similar in atmosphere)

Although I have some rather yummy mummy cousins back home in my town who will definately think its stupid, and I should have gone with Anna/Emma/Laura etc.

I really hope once baby is here and named that I stop giving a fuck. Wish I had more courage!

OP posts:
fitzbilly · 16/09/2016 10:37

I am positive there at people rolling their eyes at our DS's name, but to hell with them, I don't care, dp and I love his name and I am sure he will like it too, and the world needs more unusual names, not more to ten names.

Use willow if you love it. It's a lovely name.

LilQueenie · 16/09/2016 10:33

Do it. we had the same problem and no one has said anything. Always get compliments on the name though.

60sname · 16/09/2016 10:33

We chose an unusual name for DS a year ago (old rather than yoonique if it makes a difference) and everyone has managed to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Whichever name you choose someone will roll their eyes.

FWIW I think Willow is a lovely name and not too 'out there' at all

Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:31

Oh yes....no offence...Blush

Heres some contrite cake to all the Ms Bloggs reading....Cake

OP posts:
Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:31

Thankfully not that bad! Grin

OP posts:
MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:31

No offence to any peeps called Bloggs out there

MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:30

Bloggs!

Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:29

Its more an old fashioned surname. Very salt of the earth. Sounds like someone who owns a factory. Like "where theres muck theres brass!" Not very airy and light! Grin

OP posts:
MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:28

In that case go for it OP. Your surname is always going to be ugly so she may as well have a lovely first name.

cheapandcheerful · 16/09/2016 10:27

A friend of mine did an eye roll at the name Tabitha the other day Confused

Not everyone will like your name choice, whether it's an unusual choice or not. Ignore and carry on Smile

MoreCoffeeNow · 16/09/2016 10:27

There was a Willow in the old St Trinians films, I couldn't get past that.

Original poster
CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 10:26

I honestly think that Willow ThatSurname will become so normal once she goes to school that nobody will notice. And its not a comical pairing or anything. Its just not one of those pretty surnames.

Its just with an ethereal name like that, maybe you should have a pretty surname too?

OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 16/09/2016 10:25

Will the combination of first and last name make life even slightly more difficult for your dd?

daydream86 · 16/09/2016 10:24

in short, yes I would use it (we are using it, that's our name too Grin you have excellent taste!) I know what you mean about odd little looks, I've had a few, or references to the film 'willow' (I've not seen it), and I think my mother in law might hate it in favour of a more classical top ten name but sod them, it's your child and it's not that 'out-there' anyway. it's beautiful. so use the name you love. Btw we have a 'W' surname so our girl will be Willow W----, which makes me love it even more, even if we do get the occasional and oh so original 'ooh you could give her Olivia as a middle name and her initials will be wow!'

schbittery · 16/09/2016 10:22

yes, of course, I only ever cared what me and the baby's father (at a push :)) thought. Why would you expect to have similar tastes to older family members anyway was always my reasoning.

MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:21

Caveat: Unless the surname that doesn't fit is Trees or something.

MitzyLeFrouf · 16/09/2016 10:20

Eye rolly people will always find something to roll their eyes at.

Go with Willow and don't give two hoots about any eyes that may roll.

Luckystar1 · 16/09/2016 09:44

Oh yes! My DD (6 weeks) has a name that is very uncommon. We've had a lot of 'lovely'...

I adore it. So I don't care!! Go for it is what I say!