Should (quite a bit) older siblings get a veto on a new baby's name?

Just wanted to chip in not to comment on the names thing, but to say am in same situation as you, Marianne- 1st trimester with three older children. Would love to talk again when you are "out".

Btw, didn't Bob Geldof's daughters name their younger siblings?

Oh, defo ignore any pleas re names of horrid kids at school- your baby will be lovely and recast the name.

Tell them they can call the baby whatever nickname they want but the given name is picked by the parents.

I like the fact that ds1 had such a big input in chosing ds1's name ok he did suggest Harry (as in potter) David (as in tennant) but then said "What about Zachary, you said before you liked that name mummy and I know I do" So that is ds2's name, and it suits him much better than Konnor would have.

I think you and dh need to discuss in private only and then very firmly when baby is born introduce them.

You could definitely get suggestions - they might surprise you. A friend's DS was insistent that he should name the new baby boy. They prepared themselves for having to let him down gently about not calling the baby Optimus Prime, but he announced it would be Oliver, which both parents loved.

I was five when my brother was born. My best friend in nursery had been called Ben. I called my brother Ben for weeks. Then i stopped and called him by his actual name.

Incidentally Ben was high up our list for my DS, but we didn't call him Ben. I had my turn at naming later, and so (possibly) will your DCs.

I asked dd1 (then aged 4) for her input on DS2's name and (amongst various my little pony names) she came up with what we chose to be her sister's middle name. When Dd3 came along dd1 was 5 and really loved the name "Rosie" - it wasn't 'on our list' but we compromised and gave her the middle name of Rose. DD1 is so proud that she helped choose their names and I definitely think it helped with the bonding process.

It'd be nice if they got a say in it but genuinely I think I would have the final say, because it would be my child and I'd have pushed it out

and had a list since I was 9

When I was pg my ex's children wanted me to name the baby certain things. Ex said he had no ideas, but told me theirs which were OK but tbh it didn't seem like they would even know the kid very well, so I didn't go with their choices - and I don't think they would have cared too much anyway - but when I told him the name I'd chosen he made a great fuss about how he didn't like it

Turns out they have never even met the baby.
I kind of wish they'd been more involved though and we could have named him together.

No way I would let my children have any say (sorry kids!). I'd be happy to take suggestions, but the choice would be dh and mine. Not that it's relevant, as dh has had the snip! However I wouldn't let them name any pets either (unless they were specifically theirs). I've watched their taste with their stuffed animals, and their many families on the Sims and it is not good! The poor child would either be baby - maybe little baby, or perhaps noisy baby (to go with doggie, and lambie, and flippers etc) or would be called after whatever film or best friend dd had that week (and ds would probably come up completely blank, but disagree with anything dd suggested). Also I'm not sure that the playground side is that useful, as nine or ten years later when this child goes to school different things will be funny/teaseworthy.

SoLongMarianne,
It was all up to him. I had a name chosen and 2 days before i had ds2 i decided i didn't like it. So i asked ds1 what name he liked and to pick a name for ds2 and he did, I am glad i let him as he chose a name I wouldn't have thought of but Love, Zachary. It really suits ds2.

DS1 (then 9) came running in from the playground when we were visiting family in Ireland and said "I have a name for our baby sister" as he had met a little girl with a name he loved. So did we so that was what she was called.

Awwww Jenny that is very cute! How old is he? It would be hillarious if you actually named him Wall-e! He's obviously very excited about getting a new brother, bless x

Our Ds wants to call his new baby brother Wall-e!! Every time i bring it up about it not being this name he gets stroppy/upset! We've now told him that it will be the babies middle name, obviously not officially on the birth certificate. I don't want him to hate ds4 to be, if he's not called this. He talks about his baby brother wall-e to everyone!!

Our dds were 10 and 12 when dds arrived. We made the mistake of asking their views. In actual fact we ended up with our choices for the first 2 names and dd2s choice for the third name. DD2 really didn't like DD3s name but we stuck with it!

Maisie Dora is quite nice.

DD1 wanted Emily for the new baby, which turned out to be a boy.

My DH was 4 when his brother was born, and DH was allowed to choose the name. Luckily he chose Peter rather than Megatron or Skywalker.

I know a Maisy Dora (about 3) who was names entirely by her big sister, no parental veto. Wonder what her influences were then?

I was 10 when my sister was born and I hated her name at the time (Grace). She's now 15 so 15 years ago it was only just making a re-appearance so to me I associated it as an old woman's name.
I'm glad they ignored my opinion as I now think it's a beautiful name. Yes it's over used now but she was one of the originals lol.
It just goes to show that my opinions were worth diddly squat at the age of 10 and my parents were totally right to go with a name which THEY loved.
It is of course nice if the whole family love a name, but if your kids are like most kids I know I suspect that at least one of them will find an objection to every name under the sun! lol
.

when dd found out we were going to have a baby boy she was adamant she wanted him to be called Nagano after hr favourite ninja warrior

Ah I can remember that type of convo well LOL

we presented a shortlist and asked for views (bearing in mind the suggestions we ahd from DS1 and ds2 were 'M' and @crisp packet' hmm] and canvassed for opinions: we also bore in mind what ds3 (speech issues) could actually pronounce and between them narrowed it down, giving ourselves ultimate choice. In the end the boys / ds3 factor was the key to the shortening used (Sebastia, shortened to Bas)

I think you should listen to their reasons. At school my name (first and last, unfortunately!) rhymed with something very rude. So when a friend considered naming their child the same name, I insisted upon them not to and why (they were quite shocked as I changed my name when I reached 18 and noone knew this). Your children will know which names receive this treatment so it's worth a listen!

My uncle named my mam and I think it suits her lol