to think that hiring a marketing agency for unborn baby is odd, odd, odd?!

[trilogyofjuniper]

Or am I just over-thinking things?

An acquaintance is pregnant and is paying a marketing agency to choose a name for the baby, given a list of 'brand values' that she would like them to use - so, things like: intelligent, artistic, adventurous, interesting, influential. She's not secretive about this at all, by the way.

The agency's work will also help her and her DH design the baby's bedroom and toys etc.

I've never heard of this before. She's from the States, so perhaps this is more commonplace over there? Her DH is Welsh. Maybe this is big in Swansea?! I honestly think this is barking, but perhaps I'm out of touch (I'm about to become a gran, so it's a while since I've thought of baby names!)

Poor child!

Freakonimics found name didn't impact on success or sector.

Doesn't seem very likely to me

Oh, I know it to be true because I've spoken to the woman about it. She's not hiding it and thinks it's a great idea. From the way she spoke about it I got the impression that this is more commonplace that I thought!

Beyond odd cant you just see when child hits toddler and suddenly wants to do things differently "don't like bunny, want diggers" "but I spent so much money researching your brand"

Oh god, and teenager - "you never consulted me about it why should I care about your stupid brand?"

She is setting herself up for a lifetime of disappointment

Wasn't there a tv series called baby's room on discovery channel. I am not sure if that was the name I just remember watching a pregnancy programme that a designer would come in a do the nursery ( FFS it's a bedroom not a nursery) that in itself isn't odd.

But the pay for someone to name your baby, now that is odd.

Monsoon White Company?

Maybe this is where you remind her of all the kids named after virtues that were anything but.

I went to school with a Grace who was very pretty but walked like a duck.

And briefly worked with a Verity who was rather prone to exaggeration...

Our mutual friend has just reminded me that the mum-to-be asked a handful of agencies to pitch for the job and they did, so it must be something worth doing in their eyes. Unless they just want the money, of course!

Thanks WafflyVersatile

Was actually just making a bit of a joke about it, but appreciate you having no sense of humour taking my suggestion very seriously as if I thought I had solved the reason for this woman's madness.

FWIW, studies have been varied on whether a name matters or not. One author agrees, the other disagrees. But I digress.

She'll have a shock when baby develops its own personality

Lol at big in Swansea.

What a bonkers idea. Sad, too, abnegating responsibility for the most important decisions.

Oy vey.

at Kirk1

It's going to be the next generation of, "But we took you to stately homes!"

This is like something from Ab Fab!

But if she wants to me to do it, I'm more than happy

I was thinking if doing that when I was pregnant with DS but we couldn't agree on which agency to use. In the end we went with the name Exh mentioned to the nurses when I was sparked out.

I wonder if the agency will claim a post on MN Baby Names thread is consulting a focus group?

What is the world coming to? Sweet mother Hubbard is this the future?

Nay,nay and thrice nay.

Will it have its own bespoke font?

Fgs.

What's next¿ Wedding Planners booked at the 12 week scan?

splutter. Scary that people this bone-headed can breed, but that's how it is.

handbags!

I think it's you taking yourself a tad too seriously, reggie.

Jesus we

Jesus wept, that is just too too awful.
Poor kid. It will either grow up with a epically inflated sense of own self importance, or will be a neurotic bag of nerves from failing to live up to brand expectations.

So, nobody else has heard of anyone doing this?

Yes, that's probably it

Nobody in a Marketing agency ever been asked to pitch for this sort of a job? My friend (not the mum-to-be) is sure that she's heard of other people doing this. I haven't.