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!)

Well she’s clearly picked up that you don’t like it so you probably need to fib to cover up your dislike but no, don’t tell her you don’t like it.

Your options are to say that you are surprised, it’s an uncommon name at the moment. You pictured then using a more popular name.

You can say you like it but you wouldn’t personally use it because you don’t like how it sounds with your surname.

Or you can say it’s a great name but your reaction is just down to encountering a horrible Susan at school but her Susan is going to be amazing and is going to make you fall in love with Susans all over again.

There's no point in doing anything other than tell her it's lovely.

You carry on lying, obviously. Most of my friends have given their kids names I'd never pick. But that's neither here nor there.

Lie to her, she doesn't want to know the truth.

You would be unreasonable to tell her you don't like it because even if she asked your opinion it's not your place to tell her what you really think. You may well be a shit liar but that's no excuse - you need to try harder unless you're also ok being a shit friend.

She's making the situation awkward and put you in a no-win position. If you are honest, she'll probably be hurt or annoyed. If you lie, she'll probably still always have her suspicions. She should've just been mildly disappointed that you didn't jump up and down with joy about the name, shrugged, and moved on with her life.

...I'd tell a white lie. The one about being a bit surprised by the name because it's not one you've heard a lot lately, but it's a nice name. Because it is a perfectly good, ordinary name. There's nothing wrong with it, but obviously taste in names varies, and if everyone loved it, every little girl would be named Susan!

100 this

Just say it wouldn't be your choice but you like flowery names or whatever.

Hmm…I would word it differently, this comes across as “I think it’s a bloody awful name, but each to their own…”.

I hope no friend of mine ever feels the need to lie to me when I've asked them outright for their opinion for fear of not being a good friend.

It really doesn't matter whether you like it or not, if she and her partner like it that's all that matters. It's not like it's some weird name that's going to embarrass the child for the rest of her life.

One of my daughters has given her sons names that none of the rest of the family would opt for in a million years.

When we were told what they were going to call the the oldest son my other daughter was horrified and made no secret of it, which caused a bit of friction for a short while.

When the subsequent sons were born we all kept our opinions to ourselves. We all still think all the names are awful but it was their choice and nothing to do with the rest of the family.

Doesn't stop me cringing a bit every time I hear them though.

“I really don’t fee strongly either way, it’s a nice, classic name” You’re not lying by gushing to tell her you love it.

I would just say that you were surprised as you hadn't heard of anyone called Susan since you were a child - maybe then waffle on about a Susan you went to school with or something. That way you are neither lying nor upsetting her (hopefully).

I hate it when people ask my opinion on baby names as I have the reverse of poker-face. Just have the courage of your conviction ms, parents, and leave the rest of us out of it.

”Florian? Yes, very distinctive.”

Dont say this as its exactly the same as saying you dont like it.

I'm pregnant and we have no intention of asking for anyone's opinion on name choices before the baby is born to avoid this type of scenario.

All you need to say is something like "It's a lovely classic name with lots of choices for nicknames, it's very exciting now there's only a month to go etc etc". Don't say it's not your taste. It doesn't matter if you don't like it. Maybe her family have all been snotty about the name and she's upset and doubting her choice.

I outright asked my Dsis if she liked a name I am considering for my baby due in a month. I hope she gave me honest opinions!

Just say what you think but don't be harsh about it. That's what I would want to hear.

My Mum didn’t like the name I chose for my youngest child. She suggested I use our choice of middle name as his first name. Within a couple of weeks of his arrival, she loved it and had forgotten she hadn’t liked it.

likewise, when dsd told us the name dgs and his dw had chosen for their baby I thought it was terrible although I didn’t say anything. Now it’s exactly who he is!

Once Susan is here it will just become her name and will be fine so just tell her it’s a great name.

Can’t believe the amount of people that would lie when asked their opinion. If I ask a friend for their opinion I expect an honest answer!

It's not a name that I would choose, but it's not my baby. If you love the name, use it.

AKA "Good enough for your kid but certainly not for mine."

Are people genuinely this rude in real life?

Just tell her it's lovely. It's not a name that you need to save the child from, so anything else will just risk hurt feelings.
'It's a lovely name with sweet nicknames for a little child and it also sounds elegant for an adult.' That's all you need to say.

What's the point in your friend giving an honest opinion on a name you've settled on for your child? I don't get it.

'Does this dress suit me?' - honest answer
'Should I go for this job'? - honest answer
'I'm calling my baby X. What do you think?' - how lovely

'I'm calling my baby Cedric'

Fucking terrible name, pal'

'Okay'

'I'm calling my baby Sophie'

'That's such a boring name'

'Thanks'

”I was just surprised as it’s not one you hear very often and for some reason I thought you’d already picked <insert name she’s mentioned in passing>.

I’d only elaborate if she pushes you for an opinion!