to be disappointed that some of my family hate our PFB's name

[bexleigh]

Our little boy is 7 weeks old and some of my family don't like the name we chose. This includes my dad and my grandmother. Their first reaction on the day he was born was "Really? ... Oh. Right. Well, it's not really my cup of tea, no. I'm not a fan". The next day I thought they might have gotten used to it, but no, "I just can't get used to it. I think I'll call him the initial". And ever since the birth they've avoided referring to him with his actual name, instead they make up pet names.

I didn't announce the name before the birth, wanting to avoid negative comments, and expected people to be too polite afterwards to say anything if they didn't like the name. So I feel that this is quite rude. However, they probably see it as being open and "wearing their heart on their sleeve". It just hurts my feelings though! My dad is a kind and loving man but can sometimes be a bit tactless.

Btw, it's not a really wacky name, not made up or strangely spelt, just a traditional name which is uncommon these days.u

Who cares what they think. It's your choice, your child and frankly none of their business.

It's a fab name, OP. Kind of fusty-cool with a bit of irony. Incidentally, 'Q' would be a very cool nickname if your rellies are immovable. A bit James Bond . My youngest is Henry and my parents hate it...they call him 'H' in protest. It just makes me like his name even more .

I like Quentin! It's cute!

Actually, any name on a baby is cute.

Also, "being honest" isn't an excuse to not use tact.

Give it time though. By the time he's old enough to have a personality, they won't think of any other name that would fit him.

I love Quentin. Bonus - no one else in his school will be called that and everyone will know who he is.

I wanted to call ds Herbert and am still a bit cross he wouldn't let me.

Erin99 makes a fab point about the 1980s.

My parents definitely think Paul and Debbie are the height of baby name chic.

Ooooo, love, love, love Quentin. Wonderful choice.

Tell anyone who complains that they're being rude. If they persist, regretfully acknowledge that you have always felt their name to be rather horrible, but had always been too polite to say anything, but now that it's open season on being honest about names...

My parents think all children should be called Neil or Ruth but handle it well when faced with a grandchild with quite an unusual name.

My dad felt quite strongly that mine should have been called Mark and Amanda.

Quentin is fab! Love it.

I am a primary teacher and unique names really do stand out in a good way.

My two ds have very unique names (especially DS2) and I love it that no-one else has the same names or will have the same names at school.

I feel sorry for the kids when there is more than one of their name in the class as then they are known as their name and the initial of their second name.

"I am a primary teacher and unique names really do stand out in a good way. "

Really?? I suppose it depends on what you mean by "unique"

I think if any family member objects to a name they have to have a better reason that not likely it, it was the name of a violent ex for instance

I wanted the name Quentin for my 5th child if it was a boy. It means fifth child.

The name my sister dislikes so much is Arthur.

I agree with your sister of all the nice names about you go and lumber a poor child with Arthur.

Arthur is a lovely name!

You could not be more wrong, you could try but you would not be successful

Disclaimer-I like my grandchildren's names and agree that GPs should keep their opinions to themselves.
HOWEVER many of the names that are currently enjoying a comeback sound absolutely, completely awful to the ears of people born in the 1940s and 1950s.
They sound like joke names that would lead to inevitable bullying.
Therefore the grandparents find it very difficult to keep their mouths shut.

They do get used to them when they are in love with the little person with the name.
So,use the name you like but don't be too offended if the initial reaction isn't enthusiastic.

They hated it! Exactly the same problem. Also thought Sarah and Rebecca were horrible old lady names!

am I the only person who immediately thought of Quentin Willson from 5th Gear ? I must say it's not my cup of tea at all, I think I would struggle to get my head around it, though I'd like to think I wouldn't say anything! But equally, I don't think them calling him Q is anything to get too aerated about, it's not a bad nickname and one that will dountless raise it's head soon enough.

If you'd announced at my [girls] school that you were dating an Arthur, everyone would have laughed their heads off and put him down as the squarest boy on the planet (this was in the 80s). It's still a name that I don't get why it's become so popular, but there we go - MN regularly slates DD's name as being too common or popular.

I know who would get hot under the collar about an Arthur

Who ? I don't get uti love Arthur.

drudge

Yes, that's what I was getting at.

yy RiverTam

I went out with a Fred in the 80s and lots of people thought his name was hilarious.