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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nina - having second thoughts

153 replies

BornSnippy · 08/12/2019 08:16

We have called our newborn Nina which we see as a strong, fun, classic, international and sassy name.

We have had some really negative reactions which have shocked me.

What do people think of Nina? She’s not registered yet so we could change.

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StarbucksSmarterSister · 08/12/2019 15:47

Nina is fabulous.

Ignore your mother in law.

FizzyGreenWater · 08/12/2019 15:38

DO NOT GIVE IN TO MIL.

You will never hear the end of how she had to take you in hand and 'name the baby properly'.

Nina is brilliant, really good.

'Hi Mil, don't take this the wrong way but we'll limit visits for a while, we don't like you calling the baby by another name, it's pointed and hurtful and we're finding it quite upsetting right now. New baby hormones and all that! Let us know when you're prepared to respect our decision on OUR baby's name and we'll plan a visit.'

Very cheeky and very much trying to be boss. So show her that she ain't!

HorridHamble · 08/12/2019 14:46

Her name is Nina. MIL is being ridiculous and rude. Stick to your guns.

For what it’s worth, I think Nina is a fabulous name. Even though my name is Catherine and I named my DD Rose.

user1493494961 · 08/12/2019 14:40

Rose and Catherine are much nicer. I agree with pp that Nina is insubstantial, a bit of a 'nothing' name.

cornstarch · 08/12/2019 14:38

Beautiful name

Robs20 · 08/12/2019 14:25

Nina is a really lovely name. Please don’t doubt yourself. I would tell (or ask DH to) MIL that you are very upset that she is not using your baby’s first name. Tell her this is YOUR baby and you would like her to respect your choice.
I’ve had way to many occasions of not addressing things that upset me so now I try to confront things head on!

ShinyDolphin · 08/12/2019 14:20

I have to say I dont personally like the name, to me it's the name of my grandmas 80 year old friend. However, older names are in style now.

SAYING THAT if someone announced a chosen name to me I would never be so rude as to do what your MIL has done! Who does she think she is!

Phoebesgift · 08/12/2019 14:16

It seems a no nonsense, slightly cold and functional name to me. Not keen.

AnnaHorribilis · 08/12/2019 14:10

Nina is fab! Keep it. Congratulations Flowers

SquirellTamer · 08/12/2019 14:01

Nina is a lovely name.

Cyberworrier · 08/12/2019 13:34

Nina is a lovely, feminine without being frilly, strong name. I have only known lovely Nina’s and haven’t taught any! I love Rose but she’d be very likely to be one of several her school.
I agree with PP who said Nina only like Tina if house is like mouse. Ridiculous Mil. Tina is traditionally a nickname and I think is a bit dated. Nina is classic and elegant (no offence to any Tina’s but not adjectives I associate with that name)

TammyKat · 08/12/2019 13:30

I love Nina

DecomposingRat · 08/12/2019 13:27

Nina is lovely. If MIL continues to call her Catherine just explain to your dd when she is older that MIL is a bit weird/batty.

DramaAlpaca · 08/12/2019 12:44

Nina Catherine is lovely, stick with it. I like the international feel of it.

You need to stand up to your MIL on this or she will continue to walk all over you in the future.

Astronica · 08/12/2019 12:41

I'm not a particular fan of Nina but there's nothing wrong with it, just not my taste. Stick with it if you love it.

roiseandjim · 08/12/2019 12:37

A family members called Nina. It's abit of a nothing name to me tbh

CookPassBabtridge · 08/12/2019 12:22

Please don't change it for your MIL. You will always regret it. It's a beautiful name!

SlightlyBonkersQFA · 08/12/2019 11:01

I love Nina, and Nina Catherine is a good strong name all in all.

MIL should be given short shrift.

ZenNudist · 08/12/2019 10:59

Nina is a great name. Im 40 and went to school with one. Its rare but not outlandish.

MrsBertBibby · 08/12/2019 10:51

Beautiful name, I'd have used it for a girl but didn't have one.

Nina Simone
Nina Bawden.

Don't you dare change!

NoCureForLove · 08/12/2019 10:47

You don't have a baby name problem. You have a MIL problem.

CrotchetyQuaver · 08/12/2019 10:45

Your MIL is off the scale bonkers. I'd suggest a bit of PA are you sure you're ok you seem to keep forgetting the baby's name stuff. Cheeky cow wants you to name the baby after her. She's being very rude.
Slightly off topic I know a Georgina who uses Nina as her everyday shortened version which I think is nice.

codenameduchess · 08/12/2019 10:44

Nina is lovely, stand up to your mil and tell her to accept it- your baby, your choice! I love Nina, it will work throughout her life and she won't be one of 4 kids without the same name in every class she's in.

My mum had a negative reaction when we told her DSs name, she knew someone with that name at school and didn't like him. We sort of brushed over her comments and she's accepted it, or uses it a lot trying to accept it, but hasn't said anything else about it. I wouldn't have changed it though and no one else has said anything bad.

Omashu · 08/12/2019 10:39

Rose isn’t great either though! Stick with Nina if that’s your other option.

Omashu · 08/12/2019 10:39

I don’t like it but it’s pretty popular on her. I find it a bit whiney.. it’s kind of an annoying sound to me.