Are my kids' names strange ?

Were the people who agreed a similar age to your MIL?. As a PP said, Albert and Arthur sound very old fashioned to older people whereas to younger people they seem more popular. But just ignore them OP, the names are lovely and classic.

The thing is, for everyone saying how normal these names are and they can't understand who would describe them as strange, they're really only coming back into fashion after about a century. An Alfred or Arthur would have been very unlikely in your average English comprehensive in the 1970's to 90's. Same with Seth, Noah, Florence, Edith, Martha, Ruby, Teddy, Albie, etc. I had a Geoffrey in my year and thought it was awful old-fashioned name to be saddled with amongst all the Marks, Craigs, Daniels, Richards and James'. Your Mum, like mine, may struggle to comprehend the old fashioned is current trend in the same way she doesn't grasp leggings without a long top, trainers with smart clothes, and so on. She was beside herself (lighthearted) when she grasped the new baby next door really had been called Winifred and her DH hadn't misheard.

Yours are all great names, I wouldn't overthink it.

The only thing I find slightly unusual (but not that unusual) is that two of them have the same initial. Most of the names are not rare in themselves - Joanna is not particularly fashionable right now, but it's a beautiful classic name. I think Matilda would fit very well with the rest of the set.

No, your kids names are gloriously normal in the world we live in.. thank god.

I know someone who's names their children Kharaylee and Daisen (middle names are danger and awsum.. as in, awesome) 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Moveoverdarlin on what planet is Joanna 'strange'? It's a perfectly normal name that's happens to have been not so fashionable for a short while. I really like it. Yes it's classic, there have been Joannas in Britain going back to the middle ages, and even a queen once. Very few names are consistently popular every decade, they come and go. Anna maybe? When I was at school there were NO kids named anything like Florence, George, Lily etc they would be thought of as old people names, even something like Emily or William would be unusual. Do we have to be so rigid and name kids the same as everyone else this year?

OP, your kids' names are very normal!

All great names. But please don’t shorten to Tilly - it rhymes with Silly. Next door’s golden retriever is Silly Tilly (she is very silly too)

@ClaudineSeymour

They're super cute names! Matilda is my fave out of all them. I would call her Tilly as a nickname. And I know 2 boys called Arthur. (5 and 9 years old.)

@WonderingWanda

I thought you were going to say 'Breeze, Dancer, Cobalt and Azealia.'

They sound like reindeer! 😆

@ManilowBarry

I thought you were gonna say Mushroom, Cloud and Buddleja!

And THEY sound like names of guinea pigs!

'Ocean' is quite nice I think.

Arthur is fine. Joanna is strange, yes. I don’t think it’s classic as others have said, it’s just dated. Alfred would be better if it was Alfie. Matilda is the nicest name of the bunch.

From the title, I was expecting some really way out names.

Your dc's names aren't strange at all.
To your MiL's ears, potentially old fashioned - but I am very aware that what I consider to be 'old fashioned' names have been very much 'in fashion' with women of child baring age for some years now. As has always been the case. Apparently my Grandmother was horrified that my parents gave me the name they did 60 years + ago "because it was old fashioned" yet I've never been in a class, hobby group or workplace where there wasn't at least one other person with the same name. Absolutely 'current' for my year of birth.

I thought you were going to say your kids are called Kong, Petunia and Megatron or something. Perfectly normal names. Your MIL sounds strange

Think you need to send her a link to the top baby names list.

Just normal, unremarkable names, nothing strange about them at all.

I've had comments that my daughters' names are posh, pretentious, old fashioned, odd etc. They are called Isabella, Susannah and Philippa, all completely normal names!
Your names are similarly a bit historical and are all lovely so take no notice.

They are all lovely names and not strange at all.

Lovely names. Just ignore her.

So what batshittery did MIL name her kids if she thinks yours are unusual?? 🤔

Joanna is such a pretty name!

At my primary there is one Arthur and two Alfies so no idea if they are actually an Alfred. Joanna is not common these days but it’s nice. We also have a Matilda at my school.

Gorgeous names, all of them

I think some people have VERY strange ideas about names. When I announced that a new baby had been born in our family I was told by a colleague that my family always chose such posh names . . . the new baby was named Joseph!

I was guessing Ocean.

I came onto this thread to reassure you that actually I have heard a couple of little Oceans being shouted for at soft play/in the park recently.

Your names are perfectly normal. I'm a bit disappointed.

They are nice names.

I love both Alfred and Arthur but do you ever get them confused OP? I couldn't even have my kids share the same first letter as I know I'd constantly muddle them up! Must be to do with how I "see" words.

They are not strange at all. What planet does MIL live on?
I haven't met a child called Joanna but it's still a perfectly nice name and not weird at all.
Matilda is lovely!

Your MIL is very rude and so are the other relatives who giggled.

If it helps when we announced the name of our second baby my MIL texted back and said, "I take it you're joking?" before following up with, "my friends tell me it's a lovely name, so what a lovely name!"
For what it's worth she very quickly grew to adore our child's name and loves telling it to anyone who'll listen now that our child is a teenager!