How awful would your friend’s choice of name have to be before you said something?

[PlanterGents]

DFriend is pregnant with a little girl that’s due and couldn’t think of a name the entire pregnancy (for boy or girl), so found out quite late that she was having another girl.

Anyway, I saw her alongside a few other friends today and she was saying how she really wants something soft sounding yet alternative and unusual. She then announced the bloody name and I was a bit so laughed it off.

Everyone went a bit quiet and then someone else piped up that it’s her choice (the name). I said ‘that isn’t a name, it’s a common word’. Friend then smiled and changed the subject.

Have now had a text from friend that she really loves the name and hopes I’ll come round to it?!

Obviously this thread is completely outing so I’ve name changed so nobody can connect me to any other threads. I’m sure a few of our friendship group use MN, as I’m sure it’s come up before. So if you’re reading this, I’m sorry for upsetting you but I’m shocked! Sorry

What is the name? Really hard to judge without that key piece of information!

I don’t want to give it away unless I have to, but I’ll try to be as discrete as I can!

The name is a common word, a one word reply to a question for example

Unless it's something potentially damaging to the poor child like Clitoris then just keep your mouth shut

What, no?

Is it Maybe? Like the character on arrested development?

It's Maybe. arrested Development fan!

Are you sure she didn't say Noa?

It’s difficult. I think you really can’t say anything and you’ve possibly said too much. She’ll use it anyway.

That said, my SIL really regrets the name of her eldest DD because she chose a really really popular name (but didn’t realise it was so popular). I knew at the time and said nothing - I do wonder if I should have given her a heads up.

The name is a common word, a one word reply to a question for example

Okay? Sure? Fine? Yes?

I dunno op. I think you need to say the name, because there’s a difference between eyebrow-raising and “Oh dear lord you can’t do that to a child”. In general unless it’s clearly the latter I’m afraid the options are say nothing or “Lovely”.

Friday? Something like that? Hard to know, I’d stay quiet

My friends grandson has an awful name. We call him George. She's thankful for lockdown so she hasn't had to say it out loud in front of anyone not in the bubble.

I also immediately thought of Maybe. I quite like it, but I’m very used to it being a name from Arrested Development as pp have said.

Yes, it’s maybe! Didn’t know there was any films or or stuff with the name. Going to go and google since it seems other posters think it is a name and ‘maybe’ I’m wrong

Jesus Christ. If it’s Maybe, then you are absolutely correct in telling her she’s insane

I don’t think it really matters if you like the name or not. It’s the parents choice. I hear loads of names that I personally think are awful but I’d never say anything. I’m sure there are people who don’t like my children’s names either but it would upset me if they told me that

Could you encourage her to wait until the child is born before deciding finally ?

Please talk her out of it.

Poor kid.

Is it possible she doesn't want to tell everyone the name yet so is prevaricating?

In arrested development I believe it’s spelt Maeby but it is pronounced maybe

Don't they spell it Maeby?

Well in all fairness I don’t know how she plans to spell it, Maeby or maybe, I’m not sure

Personally I love it! I loved it I'm Arrested Development. I think it's a beautiful name! But I do have weird name choice. I would just say you like it, it's completely up to her and having close friends not like your name choice makes you feel a bit shit.

It’s supposed to be a silly name in Arrested Development too, isn’t it?

The character in Arrested Development is called Maeby (pronounced Maybe) as a nickname for Mae, and it’s not a naturalistic programme at all, so hardly an argument for it being a real name.

That said, it does sound like it should be a girls name...

I’d be tempted to tell her that I’m sorry about how I reacted, but honestly it’s her baby and she doesn’t need me or anyone else to “come round” the name!

If she needs her friends’ validation so much maybe an unusual name isn’t the right one for her.