Should we prioritise our baby name preferences or his family tradition?

I think for the child’s identity they’d probably like to have an Indian name at least a middle. I like having a name linked to my non English parents country.

serena, Sheena, Nina, shereen all good neutral names tha work for both.

Stick to your guns OP. Naming children is the privilege of mum and dad. Since you and DH are on the same page there is no issue. Luckily MIL seems to understand!

Both my DC have middle names representing my own culture (they are actually my grandparents names).
As first names we chose something we both liked.
I'd do this if you want to honour his culture and family in India.

I’m mixed white & Indian and my brother and I have Indian first names and British middle names. The Indian first names were specifically chosen to be easy for English speakers - to the point where non Indians didn’t necessarily clock it was if they didn’t know my very Indian maiden name.

My family has no such issue with middle names (my dad has 3). Given that middle names are normal in your culture, I don’t think it is a problem to use them although they perhaps you don’t want to make a huge deal of it to them. I do think you should ensure that any name you use is pronounceable in the language your in laws speak, and doesn’t inadvertently mean something rude. I think your name preferences are the most important though. All of the next generation of babies in my family have non Indian names.

I’d only see this as an issue if your husband cared. Sounds like you’re on the same page with what you like so decision made.

I've always been known by my middle name and it's getting very difficult now, so make sure you like the first name. It's due to things being all automated and security, it's really awkward as I don't always recognise my own name when it's called out or whatever.

We’ve got mixed culture kids we picked the names ourselves. Traditionally there isn’t middle names used in his culture but we gave middle names. I liked quite a few names from his country and wanted something that wasn’t overused here in the uk hubby wanted to honour his relatives by using their names but we comprised and used those names as middle names. (I’ve got a middle name but never use it so presumed my kids would never use theirs!) I thought their names would link them to dad’s side as they don’t follow his religion and we live in the U.K.

My brother was given a middle name from our mother's culture (Eurasian) and his christian/first name is English traditional. I have English/French (grandmother) names. My brother hates his Eurasian name with a passion. I dislike both my names. We had absolutely no interest in learning about our mother's culture when we were young. We wanted to be like everyone else. So do what you and your partner want to do - your child will probably tell you you should have done the opposite!

My husband and I are between 2 cultures. Our kids have western and Chinese names. They were only called by their Chinese names at Chinese school, apart from the youngest because her name works as a cute nickname. Everybody is satisfied and the kids feel they have a link to part of their cultural identity, whether it is used frequently or not.

Quite so, and if as adults they decide to move to the other country, they can simply not use the middle name.

Its personal choice but we are a French English family (my husband being the French component) and my surname is Polish (grandfather) so I can share what we did. We agreed we would choose a name that worked well in both cultures - and sounded similar in both accents - for the first name. It was neither English not French and for middle names I chose a polish middle name because she would have the French surname. I have reflected since that maybe for another child I would actually say using an English or Polish name would be nice because they would again have a French surname. Will it be the same for your child? If so, then I would highlight that as a reason for having a name from your background (or at least a name you both like that goes with the surname)

We'd choose two or three middle names from my spouse's culture and ask their mother to pick one. We'd be firm on our preference for the first name.

My MIL is Indian and my daughter has a classic British first name and MIL's name as her middle name.

Please don't do this. My father and both my uncles did this and it's such a pain for them all.

What’s wrong with Liberty? Perfectly nice name and Libby is a nice shortening.

Whatever name you DO end up picking, just don't let it end up being Liberty. That's awful

Sorry I find the whole “family name” thing slightly cringe. Who do they think they are the Royals?! And it’s often followed up with a solemn “culture” reference meaning you have to do as they say 🙄. Name her whatever you want!

I think do what you are both happy with and show respect with the middle name.

Grandma lives in a different culture and country and unfortunately needs to understand that her grandson’s country’s ways are not hers. She won’t get all the power she would get if you were living there or if he had married into his own culture and that is going go to be an adjustment for her. Not for you.

Pick the name you like for your child

My kids are random first name/ surname from my heritage /DH's surname. I think middle names are a nice way to reflect both families, especially when baby has their father's name.

If it's a DP will thr baby have a different surname to you? I wouldn't like this.

I would choose names that you both like.

How interested is your partner about is own roots/culture?

There's no way I'd let the grandmother pick the baby name, what if she chooses a name that you and your partner don't like? Are you expected to disregard your feelings and keep the name anyway, and then is your baby when it grows up expected to not choose it's own children's names to keep the tradition going?

Give the baby two names, one from your own culture, one from your partner's culture so that it honours both sides of its family and culture and that way you both get to choose names that you both like and that feel special to you

There are some gorgeous names that work for both - could you find one?
Jasmine
Kaia
Ananya
Naima
Asha

Liberty is lovely. I would do what you and your husband like, it's your family after all and the perfect opportunity to make new traditions.

Liberty is lovely. I would do what you and your husband like, it's your family after all and the perfect opportunity to make new traditions.