To ask what the hell is up with people judging children's names?!

[WonderingWillow]

Just that, really. When my DS was born, we gave him a classic first name and a middle name we really loved but was a little more unusual.

My parents came to meet DS, and when they asked his name, my mum sniggered and barely covered her laugh, and said "well, we like the FIRST name, but NOT the middle name!!" And my dad just sat there sneering.
When we saw them just before Christmas, my mum said over a cup of tea "so is his middle name still X? God, did you actually put it on the birth certificate?!" He is 4 now!

Also, I've a friend whose second daughter has a really lovely, but unusual name. It sounds gorgeous, but she had family actually say to her "please don't call your DD that name" when she was PREGNANT.

what the hell? I would never have the bare faced cheek to say that to anyone, and would expect to be given a damn good ignoring for a while!

What gives people the right? Why are people so rude? AIBU to think that if you don't like a baby's name when the parent tells you, you nod and smile and compliment the new parent on their choice anyway and then keep your opinions to yourself?

yes, it is rude, but chances are their classmates will be a lot worse.

Without knowing the names it's hard to say, but if you do go down the 'unusual' route, for God's sake do it with your eyes wide open, for the sake of your DC who are the ones who have to put up with their parents' choices. Sometimes I do think 'well, if you fancy such a bonkers name, why not change your name to it?!'

Fight

Chanel's first name was Gabrielle.

Fight the child was named after the film. The child was known as "Pokey" at school. What a great name to have when being a female at high school . She changed her name when she was 16 bless her.

It's partly because this is a country obsessed with social class and class aspirationalism or its lack, and names here are strongly bound up with class. So any child's name is automatically plotted on a sort of class mental map by anyone who hears it, whether it's Tristan, Chardonnay or Ace. Also, even though you'll be castigated for being working class and giving your child a name perceived as 'chavvy', on the other hand, god forbid you give your child a name that's seen by your peer group as 'try hard'...

Coco Chanel wasnt called Coco. She was

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

Usually I'll smile and knod but I did give my friend the wtf face when she told me they had Keith-Blaze as their boys name.

All I could think of was my elderly boss Keith running alight. Not a cute little baby Keith-Blaze.

They had a dd.

I really liked the name Spencer but shrieking it out in the council scheme I live in just felt wrong. It would be fine elsewhere

Lois

My goldfish is called Spencer.

Yes some names are ridiculous, even though I wouldn't say anything my face would probably say it all.

Alis/Sim

Well I never knew that!

Presumably she thought the name Gabrielle was shit so started calling herself Coco? Or was it a nickname?

Fab

I didn't even know there was a film called Coco!

It was a nickname, possibly based on a song she sang when she was a young woman, Fight.

I am such a geek for knowing that!

well we can't really judge whether your parents were being unreasonable until you tell us the name....

But judging to people's faces? No. Horrid.

Meh. People may judge my DD's unusual name (MN did disapprove, as it's Welsh. In Wales. In a welsh-speaking family). I may judge their children's boring "classic" names. That's life.

I can't be doing with some of the aspirational hipster kind of names and I'm sadly the kind of person who wears my opinions on my face

Luckily most of mumsnet can't see my face when I post otherwise I'd get a virtual slap from a large number of you!

But they're your kids. Name them what you will. I have a child with a non British name and get some strange looks but ho hum

Because many people are rude and think naming other people's children is actually something to do with them.

If you don't like a name all that means is you don't, stop imagining that you are so important that your opinion matters

newyears exactly. Go home and say whatever you WANT, but it's not your life, not your child is it?

Well names are there for other people to use so of course they will judge them.
Not hard to understand?

Would you honestly be rude about someone's choice to their face?

Say what you want out of earshot!

Life would be boring if we were all the same!

I met a 4 year old called Lucifer last week. That, I judged.

I wouldn't say anything to someone's face, unless it was a close friend or family member.

Some names are bloody ridiculous & the parents deserve derision. In fact, if I ruled the world, twatty, made-up names would be illegal.

I wouldnt judge any middle name, as surely you can engage a little whimsy when its not going to be used every day (I considered Fox as DSs middle name).

However a daily used name, imo, shouldnt bring upon its owner ridicule or the need to constantly spell or explain it.

I would say not a word

The example you give isn't people in general, it's members of the family being arseholes. They are probably like this over a number of things.
Yes, some parents have picked ridiculous, pompous eccentric and weird names for their children.
I read out the register without a snigger or a WTF face. That child has to live with the consequences of their parents' choice. Sometimes they love being a Galadriel, Skywalker, Merlin, KC, Shardonnay or whatever. Sometimes they hate it.
Why would I want to add to their possible difficulties?

Nb - don't think I would criticise the parents to their faces, though...