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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give my opinions about baby name?

137 replies

jepipi7030 · 21/10/2022 23:29

NC’d for this in case I'm asked for what the name is

DS(18)&his gf are expecting a baby boy in April, DS has told me the name that they've picked and I think it's cute for a baby, not so much an adult. It's a place, I didn't even know it was a baby name, but it is on baby name websites etc although it does come under a girls name.

WIBU to tell them I don't like it? Or keep quiet and hope they change their minds anyway?

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 22/10/2022 00:00

I wanted it to be Dudley

say nothing op.

fightorflight1 · 22/10/2022 00:01

jepipi7030 · 21/10/2022 23:51

They're going to call him Nevada, I've never heard of it as a baby name, and as I said in my OP it sounds more like a girls name

It's quite out there.

When choosing the names for my children my mum and MIL would make certain faces at names we liked that they didn't, so I'd get the picture, I wasn't offended at all but depends on the type of relationship you have with DIL. Also just to add, it wouldn't have stopped me calling my children those names.

Are they adamant? Can you suggest other names? Ultimately if they love it there's nothing you can do. Can you think of a cute nickname - Nevi?

urrrgh46 · 22/10/2022 00:01

But agree that it's not your place to actually say it's awful - my MIL has done that with our children on a couple of occasions!

RandomMusings7 · 22/10/2022 00:06

Nevada is pretty bad if you ask me. I've heard worse, but I would still try to (very gently) steer them away from this choice.

But then again in the grand scheme of kids having kids the daft name choice will be just a blip. Sorry OP...

Enko · 22/10/2022 00:07

My. Mother proclaimed "that's HORRIBLE " on my telling her ds name. Ffw 11 years she told me "I always liked the name Conrad it's such a good strong. Name"

You will get there too op. Could be so much worse. And Nevada to me is unisex..

Dudley would have been amazing through @BitOutOfPractice

BitOutOfPractice · 22/10/2022 00:08

Dudley IS amazing. The name and the place! 😀

Blueeyedgirl21 · 22/10/2022 00:10

It’s fine as a nane. Not really ‘out there’, in the grand scheme. Not every child has to be called Thomas, William or Theo

PinkPupZ · 22/10/2022 00:11

Never say anything. My MIL did and it was really rude. Didn't change our minds either.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 22/10/2022 00:13

I wouldn't choose it, but it’s not so awful. People wont be horrified to hear it.

I don’t think it has a particular girl or boy vibe to it, could be either.

Foxesforme · 22/10/2022 00:14

Did they ask for your opinion?
If asked I would tell the truth. If not, I'd maybe keep quiet. Your DS probably knows what you think of the name without you saying it anyway...

Georgesgrumpymedicine · 22/10/2022 00:17

My mil still refuses to use my son's nickname. Completely traditional name but she only uses the long version which he hates. Just one of the long list of reasons we don't see her much.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 22/10/2022 00:24

We used to know a Nirvana - she was a girl, though. You didn't mishear, did you?

pictish · 22/10/2022 00:44

Ehhh could be worse. Not loads worse but there is worse. I’m not a fan of Americanisms like this but that’s personal to me, plenty of people do like the American influence.
Say nothing and hope they come up with something else by the time he’s actually here.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 22/10/2022 00:44

Steve Mcqueen movie - "Nevada Smith" It's a cowboy name. Unisex.
Girl's nickname - Neva.

saraclara · 22/10/2022 01:20

AlternativelyWired · 21/10/2022 23:57

Awww, he'll get called Nev. could be worse. I'm amazed you are worried about the name but not not your son becoming a father at 18. That would worry me more.

Who says she isn't worried about that?

Just because she's posted about one subject doesn't mean that's all she's worried about. Let's face it, at this point there's nothing she can do about the baby arriving though.

Gonnabegrandma · 22/10/2022 01:30

I think it’s a great name ! Unusual without being weird . People now are more creative with names and it makes the world more interesting I think . Whatever the name once you hold him in your arms all doubts will disappear and you will grow to love the name .

LadyApplejack · 22/10/2022 01:36

As his mum I think you can tell your son your thoughts! My parents certainly did. I'll tell my kids. I think that's quite normal. But I'd tell your son rather than the GF so as not to offend her, and don't be overbearing with it. It's their child, you've had your chance to pick names. The name is unusual, and I think purely for that reason it's worth the parents getting some honest reactions.

RopeyOldBird · 22/10/2022 01:50

It's a name. His name.
Just the same as we have all been given names by our parents. We have all survived and no doubt you will all love him no matter what.

keeprunning55 · 22/10/2022 01:51

Pat her bump & say “How’s little Nev?”
If that doesn’t put her off, say you know a few little Nevada’s. That ought to do it.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 22/10/2022 01:56

Oh that's not a good name.

You cannot say anything about the name.

The only upside is that there are plenty of unusual names so shouldn't make him stand out.

Riverlee · 22/10/2022 01:56

Could they have said Neveah, which is Heaven spelt backwards?

The correct response when mentioning the name is “That’s lovely”, or ‘p”That’s lovely. Quite unusual, why did you choose it.” At a push.

Ottersmith · 22/10/2022 02:51

jepipi7030 · 21/10/2022 23:51

They're going to call him Nevada, I've never heard of it as a baby name, and as I said in my OP it sounds more like a girls name

You don't have to have heard of it as a baby name. They don't have to pick a name from an approved list of baby names . They can make up anything they want. Most people I know in their early 20s are just making up new names for themselves nowadays because their parents picked boring dull names from baby lists for them.

JaneorEleven · 22/10/2022 03:32

You are not going to change their mind, only upset them if you voice disapproval.

The Spanish word Nevada, means “snow capped” which could work for a winter baby. It’s after the Sierra Nevadas.

Also, Nevada, the state’s motto, is “ Battle Born” as it joined the union (USA) during the civil war, for the North, so definitely a right side of history state.

I’d try and look at the positives in this situation. Congrats on a new baby coming. I would start thinking of nicknames too, as a 3 syllable name usually gets shortened.

KitchenSupper · 22/10/2022 03:45

Nevada as a noun means snowfall; it can’t really be an adjective without a noun to modify. As an adjective, it would be nevado for a masculine noun rather than nevada.

MermaidMummy06 · 22/10/2022 04:03

I've two DC in school & strange names are common. Nevada won't even rate.

Please keep quiet. My GM had a rude opinion of my DS's name, which is a normal one. Based purely on it's country of origin. I'm sad I didn't have that close relationship with GM in her last few years but it really hurt me and my affection for her died a little.

Also keep opinions of all sorts to yourself. My DP's went full on harassment over another issue with boys, starting he day he was born and I had to tell them they were ruining my first days of motherhood so stop it or go away permanently. Sadly they won't even remember it now (DS is 10). It caused hurt, mistrust and will never be forgotten.

Unless a decision is dangerous, be supportive and remember it's not your baby to decide things for, but to love. It'll make a huge difference to your relationship with them all - which is all that counts.

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