Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Parents criticised our chosen baby name without knowing it was ours

330 replies

Bringbackbuffy · 29/04/2026 10:29

We haven’t shared any of our baby name choices yet with any friends or family, but we don’t have any lists. We just have a boys name and a girls name.

My parents went on a complete rant the other day about one of our chosen names- they don’t know we’ve chosen it- a friend of theirs has just named their child that.

It was really quite hurtful to listen to, and to know they hate the name so much- but we still don’t want to change it.

I don’t really know what to do, I just wish they hadn’t been so awful

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Moveoverdarlin · 29/04/2026 12:30

Bringbackbuffy · 29/04/2026 10:45

It just strikes me as mean to talk about anyone’s baby name like that. They weren’t talking about this persons baby- just judging and being really mean about the name.

I hate knowing their thoughts, it just seems like such a strange conversation to have.

I think it’s completely normal to discuss a baby name in this way. They weren’t saying it in front of the parents. As soon as a baby name is announced, everyone has an opinion.

June: Oh Terry, did I tell you, Sarah has had the baby. A little boy, seven pounds, they’ve decided to call him Derek.

Terry: Fucking ‘ell that’s awful!

June: I don’t know what the parents were thinking.

Terry: I know, he sounds like 75 year old.

C’mon everybody has these conversations, you’re being naive OP.

centaury · 29/04/2026 12:29

Sometimes people just like criticising and complaining, it doesn't mean that the thoughts they express are deeply held. If the worst that they said was that it doesn't suit a baby or an adult, I'm sure they'll change their mind once they get to know their grandson. They might even be very embarrassed when they recall this conversation.

(Is it Walter? Richard?)

BoogieVoogieAllNightLong · 29/04/2026 12:29

Roads · 29/04/2026 11:40

When you name your baby the name will become associated with your baby and they will love it because they love your baby no matter what they previously thought about the name.

I appreciate it's disappointing to hear they are not fond of the name but no one likes every name and I'm sure there's plenty of names you don't like. In future I'm sure if your child happened to choose one of those for their child you'd still love you grandchild.

Edited
Show quote history

I think this is right. I wasn't mad about a couple of my gc's names to begin with, not that I thought I needed to be, nor did I say so. Now those names are a part of those children who I love dearly. I think it's just very unfortunate that this happened but it is their problem, not yours.

MyDuvetDay · 29/04/2026 12:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 29/04/2026 12:27

Shinyandnew1 · 29/04/2026 12:19

Are you on the wrong thread? 😂

Show quote history

Literally yes :0 Typed in the wrong window, submitted it, then edited, then spelled window wrong...

BollyMolly · 29/04/2026 12:25

Bringbackbuffy · 29/04/2026 11:37

But when I give the baby that name I will know all these nasty thoughts they have.

Show quote history

But you clearly don’t care about their opinion or you’d be thinking of another name.

It’s silly to be hurt over this. All it means is that you have different taste in names. They will love your baby even if they don’t like the name you chose.

Calliopespa · 29/04/2026 12:25

Funnily enough I know an Otis who looks just like Otis the aardvaark. His mum looks exactly like it.

Witchonenowbob · 29/04/2026 12:25

Moveoverdarlin · 29/04/2026 12:23

I suppose it depends if you trust their tastes. If this was my parents, I would one hundred percent take their opinion on board and change the name. However if it was my in-laws, who have terrible taste, I wouldn’t give a shit.

You’d change the name you like and chosen because your parents don’t like it?? How about you trust your own tastes?

Yellowpapersun · 29/04/2026 12:24

Shinyandnew1 · 29/04/2026 10:34

Impossible to comment-do they just really hate a perfectly sensible name for some reason, or have you chosen to call your child Spudulike?

Pronounced Spud-ooo-lik-ay.

Calliopespa · 29/04/2026 12:24

BrendaThePoodle · 29/04/2026 12:23

I think for my generation it was Otis the aardvark!

but sittin on the dock of a bay is actually one of my favourite songs! 😂

Show quote history

There was that Milo and Otis movie about dogs.

BrendaThePoodle · 29/04/2026 12:23

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/04/2026 12:19

I wouldn’t mind Felix or Milo, but I still think Otis is bloody awful!

I doubt anyone had ever heard of it until Otis Redding (too long ago for many of you lot.)

Show quote history

I think for my generation it was Otis the aardvark!

but sittin on the dock of a bay is actually one of my favourite songs! 😂

loislovesstewie · 29/04/2026 12:23

Bellasmellsofwee · 29/04/2026 12:18

So do I! She’s Connie for short.

Show quote history

That was my mum's name!

Calliopespa · 29/04/2026 12:23

airsource · 29/04/2026 12:20

It’s Rupert isn’t it

I think so!
Or Edmund.

Moveoverdarlin · 29/04/2026 12:23

I suppose it depends if you trust their tastes. If this was my parents, I would one hundred percent take their opinion on board and change the name. However if it was my in-laws, who have terrible taste, I wouldn’t give a shit.

BrendaThePoodle · 29/04/2026 12:22

@Bringbackbuffy not only do the entire baby name board, my mother, my in laws, Katie Hopkins and I imagine everyone else on the planet hate my weird or dated or chavvy baby names, I can assure you as they’ve aged they’re still lovely to me, they love their names, they haven’t ever been ridiculed or abused, no opportunities have passed them by and nothing has ever been said negatively to them, in fact one of my sons fil was convinced would be bullied because of a character from emmerdale (I think, maybe be corrie) isn’t even the only one who has his name in his year.

airsource · 29/04/2026 12:21

babyproblems · 29/04/2026 12:20

I’d tell them you heard them discussing the name and it gave you the idea 😂 Ralph and Edward are fine. I liked Rupert but my DH didn’t! When you’re pregnant these things are big deal but honestly when your kid is 6 you won’t even remember who you told or when!!!

😆

airsource · 29/04/2026 12:20

It’s Rupert isn’t it

babyproblems · 29/04/2026 12:20

I’d tell them you heard them discussing the name and it gave you the idea 😂 Ralph and Edward are fine. I liked Rupert but my DH didn’t! When you’re pregnant these things are big deal but honestly when your kid is 6 you won’t even remember who you told or when!!!

IamaBluebird · 29/04/2026 12:20

Slightly different answer Op, but it never hurts to have another name in mind as well as your first choice.
Sometimes when your baby is actually here they just don’t look like the name you first decided on.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/04/2026 12:19

BrendaThePoodle · 29/04/2026 12:16

But names like Otis/felix/milo are really popular now.
I’m 40 so when I named my DC names such as Mia/Olivia/Lewis/Ethan were really popular as now they’re dated. It’s just swings and roundabouts.

Show quote history

I wouldn’t mind Felix or Milo, but I still think Otis is bloody awful!

I doubt anyone had ever heard of it until Otis Redding (too long ago for many of you lot.)

Shinyandnew1 · 29/04/2026 12:19

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Are you on the wrong thread? 😂

Bellasmellsofwee · 29/04/2026 12:18

MonstrousRegimentRocks · 29/04/2026 12:18

Off topic, but I love the name Constance!

Show quote history

So do I! She’s Connie for short.

MonstrousRegimentRocks · 29/04/2026 12:18

Bellasmellsofwee · 29/04/2026 12:16

I’ve never got the whole thing of “announcing” a baby name. No one actually gives a shit, I mean, some will have an opinion on names, but some parents treat it like they are announcing they have found a cure for cancer.

When we told MIL we were calling our youngest Constance, she said, “oh no, that’s like that ghastly woman in American Horror story!”

Yup, that’s exactly who I named her after, I liked her!

Off topic, but I love the name Constance!

Topseyt123 · 29/04/2026 12:18

Bringbackbuffy · 29/04/2026 11:37

But when I give the baby that name I will know all these nasty thoughts they have.

Show quote history

Stick to your guns and use the name you have chosen if you have a boy.

Keep to your policy of not mentioning it or discussing it in advance of the birth. If your parents should comment again once your baby is born and has been given the name then just tell them that you disagree with their opinions and they will have to get used to the name whether they like it or not.

Mischance · 29/04/2026 12:17

Boy are they going to have red faces if you have a little boy and give him your chosen name! - just stand back and laugh!!

You do you - they can hate it all they like.

Swipe left for the next trending thread