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Baby names

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

Negative comments make me regret daughter’s name.

220 replies

evelynsmummy44 · 21/03/2019 11:43

I know people are going to say not to worry but it’s something that I think about regularly. My daughter is three and her name is Evelyn. She has never, ever been called Evie (not even once) and her name was picked for sentimental reasons. When we named her I had never been on a site like this and having never met another little Evelyn I didn’t know it was popular (still haven’t met another one in our area!) however I get really sad that it is pretty much always called boring or horrible on this site. I very rarely see anything positive about it and it makes me regret not calling her Eliza. I’m not sure how to learn to love my daughter’s name again (maybe just come off this site? But I love looking at it for inspiration for baby number two) anyone been/felt similar about their child’s name?

OP posts:
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Margot33 · 21/03/2019 12:38

It doesn't matter what other people think! You chose that name because it means something to you. I personally like it. Don't ask other people's advice for names on here, because names are so personal. Both my children have very unusual old fashioned names. I have experienced the quizzical frowns followed by a, "sorry?!" You should not care what others think at all. I love my children's names and they do too. My eldest told me there are nine girls in her year with the same name, its annoying trying to get one of their attention! She is grateful for having an unusual name. Only lately people have started to say how pretty it is. My youngest loves her name too. Names grow on people when they see your beautiful children.

countrybump · 21/03/2019 12:37

My DD's middle name is Evelyn. I love it, and so does DD. In fact she prefers it to her first name and so writes out her full name at school etc!

She is 9. When she was born I knew of no other Evelyn and the name was chosen after a favourite relative of mine - an elderly aunt!

I think it's lovely. I have also learnt to totally ignore the threads on here about names! My eldest DC is 12 and has a name that wasn't popular at the time he was born, but has since become so. Apparently it is the new 'Kevin' and all boys with that name are naughty........ He suits his name, I love it, I don't care what others may think. Also, remember that people write on here things that they would never, ever say to anyone in real life.

Evelyn is a lovely name and if you love it, don't worry about what anonymous people on a website think!

Clarl · 21/03/2019 12:35

It’s lovely!
You should see the reaction my son’s name gets on here. I’ve seen threads closed over it. In reality it’s just a normal name and he’s never had an issue.

hanahsaunt · 21/03/2019 12:33

It is such a lovely name - please don't worry. The very best friend of my ds3 (both are 11) is Evelyn (never ever shortened) and she is just fab. I don't think anyone has ever batted an eyelid about her name.

purpleme12 · 21/03/2019 12:32

I love that name. I've not even met anyone with the name or heard anyone either.
I think it's beautiful

PercyGherkin · 21/03/2019 12:31

I don't know any little Evelyns. It's a nice name (Ev-i-lyn = traditional female pronunciation, Eve-lyn = traditionally male - see Mr and Mrs Waugh!) and not faddy.

purpleboy · 21/03/2019 12:31

It's a lovely name, be proud of it, you chose it because you like it and it has sentimental value to it. There is nothing more beautiful than that.
My oldest DD always gets the comment her name is a boys name (maybe true if you from America; were not)! and my youngest DD was told by FIL 1st and 2nd name sounded like salmonella 🤦🏽‍♀️
You do get used to it and I love both names still!!

Funkaccino · 21/03/2019 12:31

I like both names. Youve got good taste!

HaveACupOfCoffee · 21/03/2019 12:31

There’s nothing worse (imo) than when people say ‘I love this name but it’s so popular or common’

If you love it then why does it matter?

It smacks of hipster culture ‘oooh I have to have a name that no one else has, I have to be the trendsetter that everyone else copies’ It really gets my goat.

Evelyn is a lovely name - I went to school with one and she stuck up for me when I was violently bullied, even when the threat of the bullying was turned back on her. I’ve never to this day met anyone as morally strong and kind as her so to me the name means something special.

Danetobe · 21/03/2019 12:30

Evelyn is beautiful. Please try to not let other people's negative comments make you feel badly about your personal choice on her name.

Pinkbells · 21/03/2019 12:29

Evelyn is lovely. Mumsnet is peculiar like that - there is always an 'I hate that name' brigade going around. If it doesn't happen in RL (and even if it does!) it doesn't matter.

Kescilly · 21/03/2019 12:29

If people only used MN-approved names the world would be a very boring place. I find some of the threads incredibly boring because they are all the same recommendations, over and over!

Evelyn is lovely.

Missingstreetlife · 21/03/2019 12:27

It's a lovely name, and can be pronounced several ways too.

FizzyGreenWater · 21/03/2019 12:27

It's a classic name, so stop worrying! Not everyone will like it but that's different to thinking you were mad to name her that!

It's strange though, name popularity. Evelyn just asn't on anyone's radar 15 years ago and now, yes, it's popular. i know two others and both parents say they had no idea the name had shot up in popularity and it just 'came out of nowhere'. Also an Evie whose parents are adamant they had no idea that primaries everywhere are now stuffed to the gunnels with Evies and opted for it as they wanted something unusual!!!

Just so weird the way things like this work!

Marylou2 · 21/03/2019 12:26

Wow. I thought you were going to say it was some strange, faddish or made up name. Not something as elegant and timeless as Evelyn. Your daughter’s name is beautiful and I’m sure she is too.

maras2 · 21/03/2019 12:26

Back to Gransnet for me.Grin

MorningsEleven · 21/03/2019 12:25

I love it. It's the name of my favourite ever relative. The most un-boring person you'd ever meet. Has to be prefaced with "our" though, as in "Will you believe what our Evelyn has just said?"

maras2 · 21/03/2019 12:25

Oops. Just realised it is that site Blush Smile

Lweji · 21/03/2019 12:24

It's bound to come back. Wink

babysharkah · 21/03/2019 12:24

It's a lovely name.

maras2 · 21/03/2019 12:24

Our 2 year old great niece is Evelyn Violet. Bear.Lovely name.
Family ie. lots of 1st and 2nd cousins, aunties and uncles call her Evelyn.It only gets shortened to Evie at nursery.
Don't regret her name and keep away from that baby name site that's frequented by posters who wouldn't dare speak face to face the vitriol that they post.They're the real 'Nest of Vipers'. Angry

mcjx · 21/03/2019 12:24

The name is lovely! Prefer that over Eliza. Don't worry OP ❤️

Littlepond · 21/03/2019 12:24

My daughters name always gets negative opinions on here (one poster said “ugh, please DO NOT call your child X”) but I love it and more importantly my daughter loves her name! They had a project at school about names and she was excited to write all about the meaning behind her name and read it out to the class.
Ignore the haters OP!

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 21/03/2019 12:23

Evelyn is a lovely name. I prefer it to Eliza (I think of Eliza Doolittle too)

GnomeDePlume · 21/03/2019 12:23

Remember it isnt just a name, it is her.

I would say the same if her name was Engelwaldbicycleclip (apologies to all those Engelwaldbicycleclips out there).