To tell my friend that I’m not keen on her baby name?

[AllHailKingLouis]

Friend told me today she has chosen the name Susan for her baby. I don’t like it personally but automatically said “oh, that’s nice”.

she’s just WhatsApp me asking if I really liked the name as she got the feeling that I didn’t (oops, I’m a shit liar).

would I be unreasonable to admit that I don’t? Or should I carry on lying about it? (Which I can do easier via WhatsApp!)

@CountryMouse22 there is a winifred in my dcs class at primary school, its definitely making a come back.

It's none of your damn business. Just keep smiling and say it's nice.

Names are a difficult thing to like when a baby hasn’t arrived.

Many people associate names with people they know.

You could say to her that you always find it hard to think of babies with a name before you’ve met the baby. Once you meet their baby then “Susan” will fit perfectly with her.

Oh that’s funny, Winifred is our current favourite middle name (and it’s my mum’s middle name) 😆

I’m afraid I’m in camp “lie” too. Two of my nephews have awful names (one sounds made up and another is also very odd and American sounding). The Family didn’t like them at all either but we all said “how unique, very cool etc etc”. Now we are so used to them it just seems natural to say them.

also my niece has a very old fashioned
name, named for a great grandmother, but still makes her sound 90. MIL thought it was wonderful so I smiled and agreed lol.

at the end of the day my opinion is irrelevant as it’s not my child, so I didn’t see the point in upsetting anyone. But I do have a tendency to be a people pleaser…..

Not your bairn, not your decision. Nothing wrong with Susan as a name. If she wanted to call her baby, Malaga or Malibu then you can say something otherwise keep your mouth shut.

@AllHailKingLouis
Keep your opinion. It won't do any good saying you don't like it.. except that she will probably hold it against you

Ha I think maybe she’s winding you up?!🤞

if she doesn’t want your opinion, she shouldn’t ask for it.

(Although I did vote YABU because I have learnt through exp that you’re better to play it safe in these scenarios)

Oh - I think that’s worse than saying you don’t like the name!

Thank you! Lol

This!

For goodness sake, don't say "I hate it." You could say, "It isn't my favorite, but that's a good thing. We can't have a world full of (insert your favorite name here).

All these names are making or have made a come back , Henry, Arthur, Elsie, Edith's etc so the likes of Susan is no different . Not my fav name either , just have to show support as a friend there are a lot worse names she could call the baby! Lol

Someone said Suzanne which I also think is nicer , like most names bound to be shortened anyway , good luck in showing delighted face lol 😁

It’s a nice name! Not given very often now, but like all things it’ll come back round again.

Text your friend back and tell her you do like it.

I know a primary aged Winifred as well. I’ve also noticed a few little Winnie’s about, don’t know if they’re Winifreds or just Winnie. It fits in with the Elsie/Nancy/Bonnie type names that are popular at the moment.

I think it's a lovely name.

If I had a daughter she would be Winifred, nn Freddy.

She made it my business by nattering me for my opinion (or did you not read the thread properly? 🙄)

so she never did reply so I sent her a text last night

“hiya, hope you’re ok! I’m worried I’ve offended you regarding babies name - you know I’m crap with words ☺️ I do think it’s a lovely name, just when you said it I had flashbacks to someone I knew at school and got distracted by that 😂 but just so you know, I do love the name and can’t wait until she’s here 🥰”

I got a reply this morning:

“hi, I’m fine, don’t worry! Just struggling with the heat 😂 well it’s now between Susan, Jane and Dorothy. What do you think of those? Xx”

now I’m not sure if she’s winding me up or not.

Why would she be winding you up? Dorothy is on my names shortlist, can be shortened to Dot, which is lovely. Preferable to Susan but I was one who didn’t mind Susan.

She’s putting you in an awful position.

Tbh I’d reply back ‘lovely’ and leave it at that.

Her taste in names is very different to yours (and mine).

I know a little Jane and it’s a sweet name on her because she’s a really good looking child. Takes after her beautiful mother who used actually get surrounded by men on a night out. I imagine she was very confident that the nickname Plain Jane would never apply to her daughter.

"ooh all nice. Is there a plan for a middle name? Which works best with that?"

I think Dorothy is quite on trend? And I know a baby called Jane. I don't know why you think she's winding you up. I think you should pick your favourite of those three and tell her that you like that name. And maybe run the message by here first just in case.

I would suggest Susanne as a spelling and would prefer Dorothea to Dorothy.

Both are very classic which is in fashion and also international. Those who can manage a longer or more complex name can go with Dot and Susie which are both cute.