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Baby names

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

Original poster

Parents hate name choice

105 replies

Merrow · 05/12/2022 18:09

DP and I have finally settled on a name for DS2, Innes. My parents vocally dislike it and keep suggesting alternatives. Yes, we should just have kept silent on names, but we didn't. There's no real point to this post, it's just getting me down! I don't really want to keep on searching for another name, but it also doesn't feel that nice that people already dislike his name.

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Mrsjayy · 05/12/2022 18:39

Oh I heard a somebody call on a toddler Innes/innis I've not heard it in years, it doesn't matter if they don't like it as long as you like it. They will get used to it

Lou670 · 05/12/2022 18:35

I've not heard it as a boy's name, but my daughter went to school with a girl called Ines (spelt with one n). It's your baby so choose the name you like. Your parents will get used to it. It's a pretty unoffensive name so can't see what there is to dislike about it. I would use it, if you don't based on your parent's reaction then you may regret it.

jannier · 05/12/2022 18:35

I'd say "It's my babies name you will love it by the time you get the first cuddle. "

Babooshka1991 · 05/12/2022 18:33

I would just brush it off, it’s not their baby and his name is your gift to give. My family didn’t like our sons name but they seem to have gotten used to it now.

piebald · 05/12/2022 18:33

Innes is a good strong boys name

RuthW · 05/12/2022 18:32

I thought it was a girl's name.

Original poster
Merrow · 05/12/2022 18:30

Yes, Scottish (or at least I am, parents are, DP is half Scottish with a more Scottish name than I have!). Funnily enough Angus was on our list, which they also hate.

OP posts:
ChocolateBauble · 05/12/2022 18:28

Oh and just to add the Innes I know is a girl.

ChocolateBauble · 05/12/2022 18:27

I like it. I know a child with that name.
Chances are you wouldn’t like your parents name choices either. Their opinion doesn’t override yours. You get to choose your baby’s name, don’t be swayed by them.

christmaslover88 · 05/12/2022 18:23

We've just had this with ds3's name. Tbf we knew fil would hate it so purposefully kept quiet until after baby was born. When we did tell him he repeated it about four times in an "are you joking?!" tone. I just said "you can keep saying it, it will still be his name". My dad claimed to like it but then was very surprised we were actually going to refer to him by his name, for some reason he thought we'd use ds's middle name day to day

I think Innes is a lovely name, it's a perfectly acceptable Scottish name. Just don't let their opinion sway you. When baby is here they'll love him regardless of his name and as pp said they've had their chance to name their children. They'll get used to it honestly

scrivette · 05/12/2022 18:23

Ignore them, once the baby is born they will get used it.
My Dad hated DC's name and behaved in a ridiculous way about it. He is used to it now, although he does try to shorten it.

toomuchlaundry · 05/12/2022 18:20

How do you pronounce Ines?

atticuslovesscout · 05/12/2022 18:17

Innes is a Scottish boys name. Ines is a girls name. Pronounced completely different

SirChenjins · 05/12/2022 18:17

Innes is a gorgeous Scottish boy’s name! It’s not really a big deal up here though, it’s not a name you hear every day but not so unusual that anyone would raise an eyebrow.

I could understand their reaction if you were calling your DS Spike or. Kayden-Jayden-Leeee or something, but it’s a lovely (and innocuous!) name 😊

caramac04 · 05/12/2022 18:17

HighlandsMum · 05/12/2022 18:15

Just stick with the name you like. When your baby is born they’ll just know it as your babies name and it won’t be an issue. They had their time to name their kids, you have yours

This

MintJulia · 05/12/2022 18:16

Having looked it up....

The name Innes is boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "from the river island". Innis is the name of an island (and Gaelic word for island) which became a Scottish surname and clan name before being used as a first.

mintich · 05/12/2022 18:15

I love the name Innes!

HighlandsMum · 05/12/2022 18:15

Just stick with the name you like. When your baby is born they’ll just know it as your babies name and it won’t be an issue. They had their time to name their kids, you have yours

toomuchlaundry · 05/12/2022 18:15

Think it is more important that the child growing up with it will like it

Teadrinkingmumofone · 05/12/2022 18:14

Oh I would have thought that Innes was a girl myself. If you like it stick with it. It's not their baby.

WaddleAway · 05/12/2022 18:13

toomuchlaundry · 05/12/2022 18:13

I would prefer Angus

That may be so, but it’s not your child.

Kanaloa · 05/12/2022 18:13

I think as you’ve said you shouldn’t have shared. For some reason if you share after the baby is born people just say that’s nice, but if you share before the baby is born they think you want a baby name critique.

Overall I have to admit it isn’t my favourite, but I think you need to make peace with the fact that not everyone will always like your child’s name. Someone will always dislike it. And if you like it then who cares?

toomuchlaundry · 05/12/2022 18:13

I would prefer Angus

MintJulia · 05/12/2022 18:13

It's lovely, and unusual. I'm jealous 🙂

Don't take any notice of your parents, they'll come round.

MyEasterEggs · 05/12/2022 18:12

Oh it’s such a horrible feeling. My OHs family were outspoken about our choice (and it felt so personal) but it only made my partner knuckle down. We can’t imagine our daughter being called anything else now and it only ended up reflecting badly on them since everyone else thinks it’s beautiful and meaningful.

I personally love Innes. And it’s one of these names someone can wear all their lives!