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

😂

Fucking hell, that's awful.

Instead of Maeby you should suggest she calls her Kay Sarah Sarah.

Holy mother of God!
Surely this is enough reason for social services to intervene.

Maybe she’ll change her mind when the baby is born.

I think it says so much about an individual if you take issue with a name and say you “hate” it. Get over yourself, your preferences aren’t objectively better than other people’s.

To the woman that calls her friend’s grandson by a different name.. how awful!

She could call her Maylee, so similar but none of the same problems.

Maebe dies look sweet written down, and if you say it in the same Southern drawl that Dolly Parton has (think Steel Magnolias), then it kinda works .

I have heard worse, but also haven't seen Arrested Development so maybe missing something.

if you say it in the same Southern drawl that Dolly Parton has (think Steel Magnolias), then it kinda works smile

Ahh, not a rough Essex one then? Which is what most around us have to offer

I think it says so much about an individual if you take issue with a name and say you “hate” it. Get over yourself, your preferences aren’t objectively better than other people’s.

Rubbish. I can think of some really boring/ridiculous names. None of which quite as bad as an everyday word

It will be shortened to may ,could be worse .
Don’t loose a friend over it

I honestly think it’s at times like this when there should be a person in the registrar’s office that can say ‘ no don’t be bloody ridiculous’
@JesusInTheCabbageVan you are very naughty, funny but naughty.

Kay Sarah Sarah
Another blinder

@HayzCo

I think it says so much about an individual if you take issue with a name and say you “hate” it. Get over yourself, your preferences aren’t objectively better than other people’s.

To the woman that calls her friend’s grandson by a different name.. how awful!

Choosing a weird name for your child is completely different from personal taste in something else, like a hair style or how you decorate your living room.

Because

1. Your are inflicting it on someone else
2. It’s permanent, or at least until they are an adult and can change it by deed poll.
3. You / others have to say your names all the time . It’s not like a weird dress you can wear on special occasions.

It’s not about YOU ( the parent ) as a person and how you want others to see YOU. If you want a weird statement name, then change your own, don’t infect it on your child.

Same as your hair or clothes style - do it yourself don’t force others to wear what you like.

Those of you defending it here - how many of you have yoonique first names ? I bet none of you.

Whenever I think of the name Maeby for a girl I just think of this meme

Maybe baby.

I find it hard to imagine that the arrogance of thinking you have an objective take on what is a “weird” or “ridiculous” name stops there, but I could be wrong. It usually goes hand in hand with having strong opinions about others choices generally in my experience.

I’m sure children are more likely to dislike having a name that is less common, because we teach them to conform and avoid the “weird” from a v early age.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ve taken a serious slant on this because I’m pregnant and annoyed at all the opinions people share as if they’re objective facts...

Maeby as a name might be a bit confusing for people, I’ll give you that

I find it hard to imagine that the arrogance of thinking you have an objective take on what is a “weird” or “ridiculous” name stops there, but I could be wrong. It usually goes hand in hand with having strong opinions about others choices generally in my experience

If you read my post again you will see that I explained I don’t really care about others choices in most things. Knock yourself with your own weird choices - just don’t impose them on others.

Shave your head, get your whole face covered with tattoos, whatever, it’s up to you. But don’t force someone else to do it.

Change to own name to Heaven Lee Biscuits if that’s what’s you like. Just don’t force that on your own child who has to spend their childhood dealing with it.

I find that some parents see their child as their possession and a way of making a statement to their own peer group. How it will look on their insta or Facebook page. How cool everyone will think they are.

They can’t see the child as an autonomous individual who will have their own opinions and choices. They need them to me a mini me.

I think if someone wants to give their child a very out there name, they need to use it on themselves for a week in real life and see if they feel embarrassed at all.

Introducing yourself as “Hello, my name is Princess Merryweather!” might make them reconsider

@Soubriquet

I think if someone wants to give their child a very out there name, they need to use it on themselves for a week in real life and see if they feel embarrassed at all.

Introducing yourself as “Hello, my name is Princess Merryweather!” might make them reconsider

I agree. By all means give yourself a weird name. But giving your child such a ridiculous name when you've never had to experience the teasing, laughter, constant explanations and annoyance that goes along with having a daft name is just unkind.

I’d raise it once with a few scenarios of the confusion it will likely cause. I’d ask if she’s considered May with nickname Maybe and then stay well out of it if she’s certain. I’d feel bad if she later regretted it and I’d said nothing. If it was a regular name but one I just didn’t like I wouldn’t say anything but this is different as you say.

well, the thing is, if you tell her it is a ridiculous name, then you are probably ending the friendship.

So that is the choice you make really.

I would write back to her and say - sorry you laughed, you didn't realise that she was serious, but you are pretty surprised at her choice, because Maybe isn't a name it is a word, and it is the sort of name which will lead to years of confusion and teasing for her child.

Then finish with something like obviously it is her choice and you will respect it.

Thing is though, the friendship will take a massive hit by you saying anything.

I'm going to go against the majority here and say I actually quite like it. I have heard names that were names i would never chose yet I have learned over time people get used to them. She will not be the first who has used a word as a name just a few I have come across in my life

Tag
Ransom
Chase
Stroke
Tiara
Vibe
Peachy
Heavenly

I had a friend who called her dd a very old-fashioned name (think Gertrude or similar) i didnt like it however I congratulated her and replied lovely you found a name you love and agree on. She burst into tears as I was the first one who bad been positive about the name.

My children have marmite names and frankly the reactions we got from the dislikes were rude and mine have not even got unknown names (For example Conrad)
So I don't judge others choices. Maybe or Maebi will become May/mae if she minds and few will bat an eyelid.

Enko

I agree, I have met girls called Angel, Bliss and Princess.
I was stunned that anyone used those as actual names, but you just call them by their name and get on with it.

posted too soon

But i think this:

I had a friend who called her dd a very old-fashioned name (think Gertrude or similar) i didnt like it however I congratulated her and replied lovely you found a name you love and agree on. She burst into tears as I was the first one who bad been positive about the name.

don't you think that as a parent this should make you think twice? that her whole life that is what people are thinking? There is a fine line between giving an original name, and giving a mill stone for your kid.

(well done you though for saying the right thing)

Naming a child Stroke! Now that really is cruel