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

Yeah it's shit.

Do you think she could be joking?

If not, I would just ignore the text (coward)

Test

My dd is called Nellie - she's actually Ellen but gets called Nellie by most people. She's 19 now.

I'd say it's a bit too rock n roll for me but if she likes it go for it

I think it’s fine. I’ve learnt that in the adoption world children arrive with a wide array of names, mostly ones that you wouldn’t choose, but the name grows with the child and soon other connotations are lost.

Nel is cool. Nellie is OK but I personally dont like Nellie-Ann or any doubled up names. I like Nancy. I WOULD reply to said friend with the advice I give everyone 'dont tell anyone the names you like as evryone will have an opinion. Just choose what you love'.

Lol @HBStowe
Bowjewelaze!!!

Still laughing!

Nellie is very popular at the moment. I really don't like hyphenated names but it's certainly not something you need to warn your friend about. It's not your bloody name, just be happy for her ffs. Christ I thought it would be something horrendous.

@ahnow - I will never unsee Joffrey now 🤣

I agree it's a terrible name. Straight away I thought of Nellie the Elephant.

Hyphen - No

Nellie - The elephant.

Someone should tell her. Are you good enough friends to tell her?

Lie and say you knew a Nellie once and she was bullied terribly for her name, Nellie the elephant etc. She'll drop it guaranteed.

It’s a dreadful name!! The child will likely be called elephant or smellie...why would you do that to your child??!

I like Nellie or Nell . Not the Ann bit though.
It’s lovely as a nickname for Eleanor or Helena .
Tell her the truth , it’s not like the baby has actual been born yet . Once the baby’s born it’s always a “Isn’t he /she lovely? this avoiding the dreadful name altogether “

Being asked before the baby is born is an opportunity to save the day !

I remember everyone who told me my son's name was weird and it's been over a year! I ended up changing the name but wish I hadn't and blame the people who were so mean for persuading me to change the name!

I think I would be pretty neutral saying that it's not a name I would have chosen but it's a nice name.
Then say, thoughtfully, I guess it could be because of how a friend Nellie got teased at school. AND STOP

You can elaborate if she asks but only if she asks - and even then keep it brief.

I like my kids names but would definitely have given my DS a different one if some had pointed out that Matt - with a colour for a surname, would lead to teasing

I like Nellie - family had one in grandparents generation. Nellie-Ann sounds like a children’s rag doll (oh thinking of raggedy-Ann).

I would be honest. You can say things diplomatically. "I don't really warm to it but I'm sure your baby will make any name great" etc.

She'll be forever smelly Nelly. ..or belly Nelly...

Nellie-Ann = 'Smelly Pants'. Young children are NOT very sophisticated.

My daughter has two Nell's and one Nellie in her class. While the Nells seem to be fine, Nellie is labelled as Smelly Nellie. I'd just put that saying to her.

It’s not that bad IMO. I honestly hope she doesn’t see this I highly doubt many people are asking their friends how a double barrelled Nellie name sounds

Nellie does not mean silly.

It's a pet form of Ellen, originally a variant of Helen but is commonly used as a variant of Eleanor. Eleanor: a Greek Helen meaning shining light or most beautiful woman..

I must admit that if I ever meet a Nellie I will now always think 'smelly Nellie' and 'Trump, trump, trump' or even Nelliefish (re: TV programne Neighbours).

If you haven't given your opinion yet I suggest you just mention how she may spend years having the pee taken out of her for being smelly and trumping. That'll save you having to say how awful you think it is.

I wouldn't name a baby Nellie because I consider it old-fashioned rather than traditional. Maybe old-fashioned is the new modern? I have friends who have named their babies Rose, Maud and Josie. Wtf?

I know a Nellie and it really suits her. It's adorable and she often gets elephant things as a present.

It may not be to your taste but it's not terrible. Say something like 'oh that's not something I'd have thought of but I'm sure it will really suit her'

I only told 2 of my friends my baby name and they both pulled faces and I was gutted. It wasn't even that unusual but it was deemed horsey and old fashioned. Think along the lines of Florence

I think Kittywampus had a good reply -

“ 'Nellie-Ann is such a sweet name for a little girl. Are you going to give her a long name on the birth certificate? Eleanor Ann would be lovely when she's grown up smile'”

I actually like Nellie (prefer Nell) but not with the Ann! I definitely think she wants your opinion but as others have said give it tactfully.