Do I be honest what I think about this name

[Driftingthoughlife]

With everything going on with DH (previous thread) I may be potentially be about to fall out with my best mate if I tell the truth
She is pregnant due in a month and she has texted me to ask what I think of the name they have chosen. I think it’s awful. She says she really values my opinion
I don’t know if I can take falling out at the moment so aibu to lie and say it’s lovely but at the same time in am thinking this poor kid has to live with this name

The only comment you should ever pass is “that’s lovely”
Your friend doesn’t really want your opinion; she wants you to validate her choice

Is the name aibu? Im not keen at all if im honest 😳 i would say in the nicest way ‘im not keen but if what you like that matters’ my friend named her son something abit silly and i could never bring myself to say it.. we drifted apart in the end so it never became a big issue xx

For this question, just be supportive

You have to tell us what the name is!

What's the name?

Oh god just realised i thought the name was aibu hahha im new to mumsnet 😂🤣 sorry

Unless the name is likely to get the child horrendously bullied than you just say "That's lovely". Nothing else required.

It depends how bad. If it's just personal taste then you say nothing.
If it's something that has issues, would lead to the child being mocked, spending their life explaining a non name then you might go tactful like 'I'm glad you like it. Have you considered... and then explain potential issues' but don't diss the name.

"It's not one I would have chosen" is okay I suppose and after all its each to their own.

I would possibly say something like 'that's a bit unusual' or 'it's not a name I would go for but if you like it you go for it". Something that makes her know you are not keen without saying as much.

What is the name?

And if you really, really can't lie just say "Oh, it's not really to my own taste but I'm glad you found a name you love!".

If she has genuinely asked for your advice then I think you can be honest in a gentle way. Say something like ‘the most important thing is that you love it and once it’s her name everyone who loves her will love it too, but I would be concerned that it might not age well / be a bit too unusual / raise some eyebrows / etc.’

Big caveat though - I think you should only do this if she’s saddling her kid with something made up (Bowjewelaze) or that isn’t conventionally a name (Galaxy) or that is a name but is spelled appallingly (Myckenzeigh). If it’s a normal name that you just don’t like, smile and say it’s lovely.

I might be a bit non committal and go down the route of suggesting she wait and see what she thinks when the baby arrives, see what suits him, and marvelling at all these people who choose names before the baby is here

may give her a moment to rethink.
what's the name please?

Tricky one. If this was my best friend and the name was truly terrible - I mean likely to affect future employment chances and/or cause lifelong bullying - then I probably would very gently say something. If it's just down to personal taste and it's a perfectly inoffensive name that you just don't happen to like then I'd lie. If your opinion changes her mind, she'll probably resent the fact that she didn't use her favourite name and when she regrets it she will blame you. Or she will totally ignore your opinion, use the name anyway and be pissed off that she knows you hate her kid's name.

If the name is something like Pryncess-Raynedrop-Tewlyp then be honest with her. If it's just something innocuous that's not your cup of tea like Ellie-Mae, then just say "it's lovely"

Exactly what HBStowe very wisely said. ✔️

I'd say 'oh that's different/popular/very traditional/bohemian/posh or whatever but not actually say whether I liked it or not x

If she seems genuinely uncertain about the name I think you can tactfully point out some general issues like, will it be annoying for them that no one can ever spell/pronounce their name? Or, maybe it is a name people might judge them over?

If she seems set on it and really likes it, and actually isn't really asking for an opinion, then I'd just be nice unless its a truly awful example like PPs have given (Pryncess-Raynedrop-Tewlyp for example).

Weird to the point the kid is gonna suffer - day something

Just a bit crap - keep quiet

Is it dreadful or just not to your taste? If it's something like a notorious murderer's name, or the initials spell CUNT, tell her. If it's just not your cup of tea, be nice.

Each to their own. I'm not really a fan of my friends children's names but they're not my children so 🤷🏽‍♀️

Please let the name be Balonz.

Actually dreadful or just not to your taste?

If she's asking you to be honest then I'd be honest. I'd probably just say it's not my cup of tea but she shouldn't make her decision based on what other people think.

What's the name?

Bumfuck arsedonkey then say something
Amelia Rose (just not to your taste) then keep schtum