I promised DH he could name the baby. Now I've changed my mind.

[JakeyMom]

When I was pregnant with DS1 I had my heart set the name Jacob. DH hated it and used to come up with all these alternatives but I had my heart set and I promised him that if he let me call DS Jacob he would pick the next DC's name. I PROMISED.
So fast forward and I'm pregnant with DC2 and naturally DH has been considering names. He was under the illusion that we would be having a boy and had already picked out the name Adam which I was fine with. However, it turns out we're having a girl which has totally thrown DH off course.
He's now decided he wants to name DD after his GRANDMOTHER(!!!) as she brought him up. It's an AWFUL name for a child (Blanche) and I just can't bring myself to agree. The name makes me shudder, it reminds me of coronation street. I've told him I hate the name and it's disgusting for a baby but he won't budge on it and is digging his heels in. AIBU to go back on my promise for the sake of our DD?

You brought this on yourself though. He hated Jacob but went ahead so he should get to pick Blanche without you going back on your promise

I'm not hugely keen on Blanche, not because of Corrie but because it sounds a bit like "blench" (not being helpful really, am I). But because he hated Jacob and you promised I think you have to stick with it. Does she still hate the name Jacob?

However, I think the granny name thing is a red herring, as names come in and out of fashion. I know an Elsie, a Florence, a Mabel, an Audrey and an Iris all of whom are 4 and under. Also I think once you have called a child something it becomes their name not the name of whoever you used to associate it with. I really like the name Rose but my DH was all "oh no, Rose West!" - I am sure there are good and bad associations with most names. Perhaps not Adolf.

If he's being a twat, treat him like a twat. Tis all I'm saying!

I like Blanche

DH has always used his middle name - his family the child the first name of a family member (DH is named after his godfather, his brother is named after his father) but they use their middle names for everyday use. Maybe you could suggest that?
Having said that, old fashioned names are becoming more popular...

Blanche - blur - bleaugh!!!!

YABU - you can't go back on your word now. You will get used to Blanche. He may even go off it if you accede graciously in plenty of time.

Does HE still hate the name, I mean.

BTW "to blanch" means to plunge something in boiling water, you could try that on your DH? (I mean tell him the meaning to see if it changes his mind not plunge him in boiling water). OTOH "Blanche" means white, I think.

Blanche is lovely - so understated and stylish and French. She'll be gorgeous :-)

YABU, sorry! I don't like Blanche either.

Settle on a nice middle name and just refer to the baby as that instead.

I like Blanche. Definitely hipster.

But your only option is to drop opposition and act like you're reconciled to it.The more you protest, the more he digs his heels in, you say. So reverse psychology is your only hope. If that doesn't shake him, well, as the others say, rod for your back!

That's a rather unhelpful post Chicken Skin - all he did was fertilise an egg. Nice.

OP - Blanche wouldn't be a choice that sprang to my mind either but is there any sort of compromise? Any other versions of it in other languages that might be better.

It's not awful but it is quite old-fashioned and sort of "heavy" - if that makes sense.

I quite like Blanche, TBH. classic, unpretentious and original, while fashionably retro. Or do you want your DD to be one of a million lolas, ellies, emilies and esmes?

On second thoughts, if he's normally such a stubborn twat try reverse psychology on him.

"Oh I'm SO glad you chose Blanche, it's such an adorable name, I love it!!! oh baby Blanche!! Jacob and Blanche .... LOVE IT!!!"

Bet he soon changes his mind.

Stella- Jacob means 'supplanter' which is a horrid meaning so I don't think she can try that tack with him!

Also, it is quite nice he wants to honour his granny in this way. I know it is easy for me to say, but children really do grow into their names, and there are some really funny ones round here- but you soon just accept them.

Merry Christmas
From
JakeyMom, JakeyDad
JacobJakey & Blanche

Nope, still not keen. But you did promise. Poor Blanche..

You could say you are going to pronounce it "Blan - chay", see if that changes his mind

I think Blanche is lovely.

Is there any possibility he might be winding you up to see if you will keep your promise? Have you form for getting your own way by lying changing your mind?

"If he's being a twat, treat him like a twat. Tis all I'm saying!"

and was OP not being a twat when she did exactly the same thing with dc1? at least his choice of name has a family connection.

It reminds me of Blanche from Corrie and Blanche Dubois.

DH picked our dds name on condition I can name the next one

Whatever I want

If he goes back on this I will chop off his nuts, therefore YABU

Blanche means white or pure, its the French equivalent of the Italian Bianca, Slavic Blanca etc etc.

UABU, nuff said. He hated the first child's name - now you're equal ! Nothing wrong with Blanche.

I know this is unhelpful but why on earth do people choose a name that their other half hates?????
Personally I think both parents should like the name and if that means you don't get your first choice then so be it.
I think Blanche is ok tbh.
Think you will have to wait and see if he still likes the name when the baby is born, if so you might have to grin and bear it like he did with Jacob.