To think it's not up to children what a new baby is or isn't called?

[PiccoloPies]

If you were choosing the name of your baby and your existing children hated it, would you change it?

My husband's children don't like the name we've chosen and regularly tell us such and have complained that we should choose something else.

We aren't changing it but AIBU to think most people don't put it down to a family vote when deciding names?

[SandyY2K]

I wouldn't want my child to have a name their siblings didn't like...so whilst I wouldn't allow them to choose the name, I would probably choose a different name, assumingI had a good relationship with them.

I just wouldn't feel comfortable with the name if they didn't like it.

Nobody knew the names of our DC until they were born.

[OwlBeThere]

As an adult, I agree with you. But as a child I was very vocal about hating the name my mother wanted to call my sister so she changed it to something we all liked.

[IloveZoflora]

We had this problem and guess what... was made to change it to suit the step child Tarquin doesn't like that name so we can have that... And as he doesn't live with us it's best to change it so he feels part of it 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[MasterBruceBalloon]

I took on board my daughter's older brother's suggestion. I would have used it as a first name but went for the middle instead. But I very seriously considered it yes.

[M0rT]

I wanted to name my brother a lovely name when I was 11, my DM was having none of me.
I did succeed in convincing a friend as an adult so at least there is one "name" in my life

[KiposWonderbeasts]

My Dad reminded me this evening that when thery told me Susan was a girl's name and I couldn't call my brother that, I said Little Lord Jesus would be fine.

I had recently learned the words to Away In A Manger, apparently.

I'm a staunch atheist. Oh, the shame!

[Coffeecak3]

@IloveZoflora
Tarquin sounds like a brat.

[LM20]

My son, 4 at the time, chose his sisters name. I was around 9 weeks pregnant and he said Mam the baby in your belly is a girl and she’s called Lola. I actually have this on video... he ended up with a sister and he named her Lola! His preferred name was crocodile but we gently explained this wasn’t a suitable name.

I don’t see why children shouldn’t be involved in the decision making for a baby name? My son takes great pride in telling people he picked her name and I felt there was no jealously etc because he was so involved. Each to their own...

[AldiAisleofCrap]

Yes of course I would, interesting this is your step children.

[EL8888]

No, none of their business. You can’t do things like that by committees. Half siblings or full siblings is a red herring. Just no. Some people give their children too much attention input into their lives

[HoldMyLobster]

@Jigglypuffler

My sister hated the name my parents picked for me, and she ended up picking me new name! So it does happen.

I couldn't pronounce my little sister's name, so I just called her something else, and everyone else ended up adopting it.

She's now in her 40s and most of her friends have no idea what her real name is.

[IloveZoflora]

@ Coffeecak3 He is he is a teenager too that makes it worse. completely ignores me when he stays but it's okay because he find it's difficult (5 years down the line) and is still getting used to me... WTF

[Mama1980]

I think it's up to you, people do things differently.
My older children named my youngest they took the job very seriously and chose a beautiful name. I was happy to let them do so.

[ChikiTIKI]

Ask the children if when they have their own children, so they plan on naming the children themselves.

When they say "yes, obviously I will choose the name of my own baby", just say "oh good, me too"

[Jouleigh]

@Pinkcadillac

This:

Usually no kids don't get to choose but where it's part of the a blended family situation, involving at least partly is wise

Yep!
How 'blended' do you want to be.
Dismissing it out of hand seems overly confrontational. I would have said we will add it to the list and then just not use it.

Our blended kids are still upset that their dad didn't help them choose the puppies name.

They will live the puppy regardless and it's name. It's the not being included that hurts their feelings and makes kids feel less important and not blended.

It's yours and your partners choice obviously. Just seems to be unnecessary angst and depending on their ages now could build up resentment.

[EL8888]

@ChikiTIKI exactly, they can have their choice then

[seashellseashell123]

I just knew there would be loads of people saying that because they are step children they should get a say

No no and no. Step or full sibling is irrelevant it's up to the parents to name their child. By all means open it up for discussion but children shouldn't get the final say that's ridiculous.

[BlueThistles]

Yes of course I would, interesting this is your step children.

Ouch

[SunshineCake]

The closest we came to letting our child name his sibling was he was allowed to chose the middle name. He stuck to it for months and we did use it.

[SunshineCake]

@IDontLikeZombies

DC1's suggestion for DC2 was Jesus Tortoise.

Best name I've ever seen on here !

[houmousexpert]

Our then 2-year-old desperately wanted to call her baby brother 'Charley Crocodile', after the Maisy Mouse character, so we compromised and went with Charlie 😅

[Apocalyptichorsewoman]

My Sister was allowed to choose my name when she was 4.

Interestingly, once my parents had vetoed 'Zebedee', my name that she chose was quite reasonable!


I would have loved to have been called 'Zebedee' though...

[Idontbelieveit12]

We had quite a few name ideas for our youngest. Our other children were 10 and 8 when he was born. We included them in discussions and there were a couple we liked but they didn’t. We decided on one we all liked.

[MrsToothyBitch]

I don't think it's up to the DC at all. I was horrified to learn that DP & his sister helped name their younger brothers- normal names though. I just don't see why they got a say!

[BoomBoomsCousin]

It’s definitely not a vote! But I do think other children in the family should have their thoughts taken into consideration. “Just not liking” is as much of a reason as most parents have for not wanting many names, so I’m not sure why it’s seen as insufficient for children who probably have less experience analysing and articulating such matters. Is it really so hard to find a name you are all okay with?