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Baby names

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

Original poster

Using a name family don't like

135 replies

TisforTucan · 12/11/2022 23:47

Has anyone used a name family didn't like? I really like a name Beau. Its unusual so I was on the fence until I've met two children named the same. Baby would have a traditional middle name but I can't find anything else I like.

Family members have said they didn't like it straight away and OH doesn't hate it (he didn't name the last two 🤣). Help!

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KirstenBlest · 20/02/2023 20:05

@TheOriginalEmu , it's s masculine adjective, or a masculine noun.
It doesn't mean pretty.

A beau is an admirer or a boyfriend.

TheOriginalEmu · 20/02/2023 19:47

Gummibär · 13/11/2022 14:38

Shock how inappropriate! Their parents will be judged! It's so obviously a male name, the male version of Belle.

Show quote history

Girls can be handsome. It isn’t inappropriate and most people couldn’t care less.

KirstenBlest · 20/02/2023 19:38

Beau Geste wasn't a name in the book, it was a nickname

Thepurplelantern · 20/02/2023 19:29

We learned when we told our ILs what car we were thinking of getting and they utterly lambasted us never to tell them what names we were picking until the children came along. Then they were so smitten with the children that they weren’t so opinionated about the names which are all a bit out there.

Original poster
TisforTucan · 20/02/2023 19:20

PMAmostofthetime · 11/02/2023 21:45

@TisforTucan

I know my family won't like the baby name we have chosen, so we are not telling them until baby is here. That will be their name and then people will not be unkind and will get used to it.

It's your child you name them.

I know both boys and girls called Beau and it suits them.

We're using it, my DM knows and my grandmother (my grandmother at 95, bless her loved it).

I know my other grandmother won't and DH mum won't but as many say it's not their choice.

We're using a strong more traditional middle name is so they can use that too 😊

OP posts:
PMAmostofthetime · 11/02/2023 21:45

@TisforTucan

I know my family won't like the baby name we have chosen, so we are not telling them until baby is here. That will be their name and then people will not be unkind and will get used to it.

It's your child you name them.

I know both boys and girls called Beau and it suits them.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 09/02/2023 20:37

I made the mistake of telling our top girl name to my mum when our son was born and she said she hated it. I wish I hadn’t said anything as she wouldn’t have made this know were we to have a girl and announce the name. We’re hoping to have another child and it’s slightly put me off it.

Pinkdafodils · 09/02/2023 19:52

MugsAllOverTheLibrary · 09/02/2023 15:43

I know a Beau but she's a girl and it's short for Beatrice.

But beau is a male adjective Confused

MugsAllOverTheLibrary · 09/02/2023 15:43

I know a Beau but she's a girl and it's short for Beatrice.

everythingsapickle · 07/02/2023 23:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

xprincessxjanetx · 07/02/2023 20:27

I loved the name Amelie and my parents hated it. My mum went as far as saying she would refer to her as Amy. I made it clear that it would be Amelie or nothing, they came around and they adore her name now.

LittlemissMama67 · 07/02/2023 17:46

Yes I did I named my son Rex my family hated it said it was a dogs name. I just never mentioned it again untill the day he was born and I said it was his name. They're well over it now. Although I did hate the name my sister was going to call my neice... she liked kai he liked Dre so they were seriously planning on calling the baby kai-Dre if it was a boy, luckily she wasnt.

but even if she did it's not my place to say she couldn't. It's not my baby.

DaveSpud · 07/02/2023 17:40

Emma Bunton from the spice girls has a son called Beau

FT123456 · 07/02/2023 15:43

I've had family react a little shocked to our name choice (they didn't out right say they didn't like it though) never the less we used it anyway and they now love it lol

midsomermurderess · 07/02/2023 15:30

Bo is a Nordic name, so people using it might not be as daft as other people think. Then again,

SirVixofVixHall · 07/02/2023 15:22

Choose whatever name you like. I didn’t use a name as my MIl hated it and I still regret it.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 07/02/2023 15:19

Just don't discuss names with anyone apart from your partner until the baby is here. Shut down any comments or questions nicely with 'we have a few ideas but we won't decide until the baby is safely here.' Just don't engage. Their opinions are irrelevant - they've had their chance to name their children and now it is your turn.

ttcat37 · 07/02/2023 14:42

Fuck em, your child, name them what you like. Get ready for Grandma to have her own little petname for DC when they come though, or for her to call them by their middle name like my nan did me 🙄

FWIW I think Beau is a lovely name, especially for a boy.

WeAreAllSpecksOnARock · 14/11/2022 10:01

I like the name.
I wouldn’t even consider extended family or friends opinions on a baby name.
I didn’t tell people what my babies were going to be called until they were born.
I can’t remember if anyone told me baby name ideas when I was pregnant as their opinions on what my baby should be called were of no interest to me. People only get a say in naming their own babies.

bodill · 14/11/2022 09:55

Beau isn't a French name (as in, it isn't a name any French citizen would use). It originated mainly in the American South as a shortening of Beauregard (a surname of French origin). It was made known among the general English-speaking population by Gone with the Wind.

Beau for girls I believe mainly stems from the actress Bo Derek (Bo was her stage name). Ulrika Jonsson has a daughter Bo if I recall correctly.

Original poster
TisforTucan · 13/11/2022 18:38

@scarletisjustred Does it make a difference 🤣? Would it be more justifiable for you?

Everyone who has said not to say unfortunately everyone and their dog has messaged me 'helpfully' suggesting baby names.. asking me every five minutes. Even girls names.

Thank you to everyone who likes the name, I wouldnt give baby stupid initials like 'BJ or BO'. It would like my other children have a very traditional name to use (like ive used James, Thomas, Alexander) so he could use that if he hated it.

I may even change my mind if I have a boy just really set on it right now.

OP posts:
Nyxxie · 13/11/2022 18:17

I've only met one Beau and he was male. His sister was named Belle.

Dorestatua · 13/11/2022 15:47

Don't tell anyone your name choices ever until after your child is born. Otherwise every man and his dog will have an opinion on it and you will always get at least one person who doesn't like it. So please yourself with whatever name you like and don't be swayed.

GlassDeli · 13/11/2022 15:36

Beau = male
Belle = female

Apart from Bo Peep, I suppose, although perhaps her first name was Little.

CambsAlways · 13/11/2022 15:26

I love it and so does my husband! We both said but what’s it got to do with your family!

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