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Baby names

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

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

86 replies

daiilyah · 01/05/2026 11:39

My partner is Hindu, Indian and I am white British, we live in the UK. His family lives in India

I am not fussed about having an Indian name and neither is DH but his family feel it's important for them to be connected to their roots.

In their family the paternal grandmother gives the name and they have no middle names. My MIL is lovely and was disappointed when we said no but understood. We will have middle names but want to also choose these ourselves.

I have looked at tons and tons of names that work in both cultures but none have stood out for me.

I'm not looking for more suggestions of these as I have spent a long time looking.

The names DH and I like are longer slightly more elegant names like Liberty or Alexander.

Most seem to have greek routes

Should I stick to our preferences or consider his culture?

OP posts:
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Mosaic80 · 01/05/2026 11:50

I’d let MIL choose and use for the middle name. Someone I know who is half Indian is called Surina so works well for both cultures. I’d prioritise the names you like though for first name.

HoppingPavlova · 01/05/2026 11:48

Sunseansandandautism · 01/05/2026 11:42

I would chose a middle name from DH’a culture as it’s also the child’s culture. Perhaps you could ask MIL for some suggestions.

I’d be careful of this. What if OP/DH don’t like the name chosen and don’t want to use it. That’s then really going to cause bad blood. I’d just leave it as it is now personally and they choose both names.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 01/05/2026 11:48

Definitely a name you both like and then why not have two middle names - one picked by his mum and one related to your family

BrownBookshelf · 01/05/2026 11:47

I'd use the name you both like best, and a Hindu middle name.

Peonies12 · 01/05/2026 11:46

SemperIdem · 01/05/2026 11:40

You can honour his culture with a middle name, surely? You are both happy not following the family tradition so I would stand firm on that.

this is what I'd suggest

IDasIX · 01/05/2026 11:46

Will the child have your or your partner’s surname, or both?

Gardenimp · 01/05/2026 11:44

I'd let MIL choose (or at least suggest) a middle name.

ChickenBananaBanana · 01/05/2026 11:43

Let mil pick a middle name.

Sunseansandandautism · 01/05/2026 11:42

I would chose a middle name from DH’a culture as it’s also the child’s culture. Perhaps you could ask MIL for some suggestions.

MyMilchick · 01/05/2026 11:41

Pick a name you both like, this is your child so pick the name yourselves

SemperIdem · 01/05/2026 11:40

You can honour his culture with a middle name, surely? You are both happy not following the family tradition so I would stand firm on that.

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