AIBU to be upset at DM's reaction to new DD's name

[Ladyonashortfuse]

We had great trouble picking a name for our new DD - she was actually nameless for a week while we trawled through 4000-odd names on the Internet, books etc. I mentioned some of the shortlisted ones to DM the other day: her favourite was one DH didn't really like and she said something quite rude about the one we have now chosen, which I sort of ignored at the time. When I told her (on the phone) the name we had eventually chosen there was a silence, then she said, 'You're joking?' And then, 'Oh, well, I'm pleased she's got a name at last anyway.' She is now persisting in calling her Baby so as to avoid saying it. Am feeling oddly hurt. It is a relatively unusual name in England, but it's quite pretty (I think) and not like we called her Moon Unit or anything. Should I have taken her preferences into account?

[Notsoaccidentproneanymore]

Ex mil hated ds1's name. She said she wasn't going to call him by the name we'd chosen. She was going to use his middle name. But she's completely batty.

She got used to it.

[PurpleRainDiamondsandPearls]

It's a lovely name, very pretty. Ignore your mum, snuggle that sweet baby and forget about her.

[Cutecat78]

My mum hated DS name when he was born (it's Isaac and was very unusual 20 yrs ago - but now rather popular ).

It is hurtful and I wish she had kept her opinions to herself TBH but she soon came round and loves it.

I gave my other son (DC3) an even more unusual name but by then she kept her mouth shut

[TooGood2BeFalse]

Congratulations! Never heard of that name before but it's lovely

Slightly off topic but I am expecting a baby boy in 2 weeks. We chose his name at about 17 weeks and were thrilled and happy with it. When we told our family at a get together they all said 'ah, lovely' etc etc, and we were too busy being excited to really read their reactions. 20 mins later my 7 year old niece ran in shouting 'auntie Too good!I've got a new guinea pig called insert freshly announced baby's name Come and see!' There was a groan from her parents (my Bro and SIL), but I have to say it's a very handsome guinea pig indeed and we are definitely not changing baby''s name.

In fact, my niece is delighted and thinks we are naming the baby after her pet

[Janeymoo50]

Actually, it's grown on me in less than five minutes - unusual but not stupidly so. Congrats on your new daughter.

And yes I remember Kandy-Rain too!!!

[thisisafakename]

Eleri is lovely. It's apparently not pronounced to rhyme with celery, but is pronounced eh-lair-ee instead. Although I reckon the 'celery' pronunciation sounds prettier for some reason. I love Welsh names.
But in any event, it's a lovely name and it's not like you have called her something that might cause her embarrassment later in life. Hopefully your DM will eventually get a grip (maybe she's anti-welsh like Anne Robinson...)

[siilk]

I am an Aussie married to a welsh guy and live in Wales. So my kids have very welsh names. One even a little uncommon, but not unheard of. I loved them both and in fact I picked the more unusual of the two. Anyway, to cut a long story short, my short list for both babies upset her! In fact the youngest sins made her cry! Asked us why we couldn't go for nice normal names. I responded they were!! Well that really upset the apple cart. However, we are 6 years down the line and my parents now agree they are the perfect names lol!! Stick to your guns!!!
Congratulations! I love the name Eleri. It was on our short list!!

[KateLivesInEngland]

It's lovely and not harmful or embarrassing to her at all, I can't see why your mother is being so horrid?

Is it pronounced ELLEREE?

[Hepzibar]

It's a absolutely lovely.

I would be making a point of saying "oh everyone loves it except MIL" in an incredulous way. Make her look a bit of a tit.

[Molehillfromamountain]

Eleri was on our list for DD, we went with something similar which DM didn't like as it sounded vaguely like their dogs name...they're never going to get them confused are they
DS has a very traditional Welsh name...she knew better than to comment this time.
Your DM will get over it and probably deny she ever disliked it in time like mine did!

[WreckingBallsInsideMyHead]

Oooh love the name Eleri! But I live in Wales where it's not super common but not that unusual either, and I'd expect people to know how to pronounce it.

Your DM is very rude! Whatever her opinion is, it's not her decision what to call the baby and she should have the manners to keep negative thoughts to herself.

[AdelindSchade]

Really pretty name, I like that. Congratulations!

Mil is rude. And wrong.

[BackforGood]

The problem is, that you shared several names with her. It implies you wanted, or valued her opinion.
Yes, she has had her turn and it's completely up to you and your dh to name your baby but if you don't want opinions on a baby's name, then you need to just announce the name, as a fait accompli. FAR less chance of people saying anything then.

[NickiFury]

That's a lovely name

[3amClub]

My nephew is called Wolf...parents hated that too & boy did we know it. Turns out he's an absolute beauty of a boy, very rough & tumble, and suits it perfectly. Eleri is a beautiful name!

[trafalgargal]

My Dad hated the name we chose.
No idea why -it was a nice normal name. A biblical name so nothing "out there" or trying to be trendy or different or a stupid spelling..

Didn't stop him loving his grandson to bits and he soon got over it

[Kenduskeag]

It's lovely! We had it on our list :)

Your MIL is rude. Ruder than rude. She can come around fast or she's no grandma to that little 'un.

[Captainkanga]

Eleri is a gorgeous name that works for a baby and an adult! Pretty without being twee!

Enjoy your new little girl and ignore your mum, it's absolutely none of her business!

[NeedACleverNN]

Eleri is a beautiful name.

I can't stand my niece and nephews names but do I tell my sister this? No not at all.

Not my children, not my choice

[Heidi42]

It's a lovely name congratulations OP you adnbu

[BristolLFR]

That's a beautiful name, I'm going to put it on my shortlist!

My GM was horrified when my cousin called her daughter Saffron which isn't really even an unusual name! Having just announced we're pregnant, I'm going to have an absolute field day coming up with names that we "might" call the baby

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

Is it pronounced El-airy? Or ellery like celery?

[Jayfee]

Eleri is a sweet name.

[pollylovespie]

Beautiful name- would have been on my shortlist for DD if I'd heard of it!

[adagio]

Lovely name.

If it's any help it took me an age to get used to my DD names - both were baby, little one, various pet names etc for ages (as in months not days) while I got used to their names, and I gave birth to them!