Asked if I like the name...and I don’t! Advice?

If this helps you to decide how to reply - I made the mistake of asking for opinions when we were coming up with a list of baby names, and I can still remember the couple of people who hated the name we eventually chose for DD.

No shade on them, I did ask for honesty and no name is universally loved, but your friend will always know that you hate her kid's name if you're honest with her now and she chooses it anyway!

Say nothing absolutely none of your business.

The thing is though, op’s friend has made it her business by asking her opinion.
You can’t pull the old “It’s none of your business chestnut” on this one.

Say nothing! Absolutely none of your business!

Except poor boy will have a lifetime of his name being spelt Vorn... Or even worse, Forn.

I just think Johnny Vaughan when I hear it!
My friend is planning on calling her son Vance (like the singer Vance Joy) & I hate it!
She asked me if I liked it and I just said it wouldn’t be what I would choose but I was happy she and her fiancé had picked a name they both really like.

If people are going to get upset, they shouldn't ask for opinions.

Just say "OooO, yes"

I know a wonderful Vaughn.

She's asked your opinion so give it. Just say I'm not that keen but as you like it that s all that matters.

I think it's a mistake to ask people's opinions. Some people like popular names, some don't. Some people like old-fashioned names, some don't. It's incredibly rude of people to comment on names when their opinion is not asked (and plenty do, especially in my experience the parents of the trillions of george's, graces's and Mia's!). But it does put you in a bit of an awkward position that she's asked you. If she is a good friend then take her question at face value and say not really - but perhaps add that if she decides to call her child that anyway, you're sure you'll come to love the name. If shes not such a good friend, I'd be tempted to say it doesn't matter what you think and if she loves it, she should go for it.

She asked, and she's a 'very good friend'.

'Honestly? It's not to my taste. But what matters is that you have found a name you both like.'

(I do hope she doesn't come across this rather identifying thread)

If you love it**

“It’s not to my taste but I love it, go for it!”

If you're browsing through the baby names book and generally rattling off lists of names to discuss then i think it's fine to voice your opinion. If she's chosen a name that they love then just be polite about it.

Generally speaking the only acceptable response irl is “that’s lovely”

Surely if she’s a close enough friend for you to consider telling the truth, she’s close enough that you can guess how she’ll react if you do?

I think closest I would get to the truth is saying that it wasn’t really my personal taste but I was glad that they’d found a name they love and I was looking forward to meeting little Vaughn

The baby hasn't arrived yet, @Crimblecrumble1990, and OP's opinion was asked for.

Had they named a baby Vaughn and people didn't like it, then that's hurtful.

I'm normally a bit hmm! if I hear a name that is new to me but once I'm used to it it's usually quite nice.

I can't stand it when people say they don't like baby names. I think it's just a bit hurtful and unnecessary but then again I don't understand why people ask for opinions! Everyone's different!

Just say something non committal, 'Oo I don't know any Vaughans, how did you come up with that'

If you have been asked your opinion on this OP then surely you have answered by now? Or did you say, hold on whilst i check what everyone on mumsnet thinks,,,? 🤣

Vaughan is nice. I'm not keen on the Vaughn spelling.

I'd be honest and say it's not the first name you'd choose or that you'd need to get used to it.

give her the side eye and say "well its your kid I guess"

Just say it's nice, you don't want to take the joy out of it for her. It's so hard finding a name you both like and it's not like it's awful or a name that has some embarrassing connotation you need to warn her about.

I think it would be hard to straight out lie and say you love it, so maybe something like, 'It's not my taste, but nothing wrong with it'. Could you try to find something honest that's positive to say about it, ie 'I do like short names', 'While it's not what I'd choose there's something quite distinctive about it which is good.' 'Oh, like Vince Vaughn the actor - he's rather nice'. Try to be light about it.

I've had family say to me 'What if you don't like the name we've chosen?' and I say back that even if I don't love it at first I'm sure it will really grow on me because I'll really love your baby.

My best friend hates the name I'm choosing if my baby is a girl hahaha. She was literally like no I hate it. But she is really blunt, it bothered me a bit but now it really doesnt. She doesnt go on about hating it all the time, she just says it not her taste. But you literally cant please everyone. They must know that the name might split a crowd, it's not a common name. If you feel like she is sensitive.. lie hahaha. If not just be like, I dont think I'd use it but it sounds nice something like that. Once its here you wont be able to think of it as anything else and you will get used to it:)

I would just say something like, "That's great, I don't know any Vaughns, he'll be the first!" or "That's so cute!" (because it will be, it's a little cute baby) or "How did you choose it?"

Or the old standby, just say "lovely!" and move on!

I tend to say things like "Oh thats really unusual" but in a happy, upbeat way that makes it sound like a good thing. I personally prefer traditional names so I am not keen on it either. But I would talk about it enthusiastically that makes me sound like I like it without actually saying so!

They should have learned the MN rule of never tell anone the name until they are looking at the baby who has it!

Why can't you just say its nice, there's honestly and there's kindness to save someone's feelings. My friends have chosen what I class as boring names, I'd never dream of saying this to their faces. Just say it's nice.