Aibu to think the name suggestions on mumsnet are awful a lot of the time?

[hcarter8]

One thing I've noticed on Mumsnet is that people never actually suggests the type of baby names that the OP likes/asks for example if someone came here and asked “what’s are good sibling name for?”…. And their first child’s name was what mumsnet would call a a “ trendy and American” name like Paisley, Hunter, Harper, Jaxon Etc. (i don’t really like these names but I’m using them to prove a point) a lot of the people in the comments don’t even suggest similar names, the suggest old classic names like Josephine, Ophelia, Atticus that are clearly not the OPs taste.

Like if the OP has a first child with a trendy name like Harper they won’t won’t their second child to be called an old name like Olivia will they. I do feel like there is genuinely a lot of snobbery that comes into it aswell, like a lot of people on here try to make the parents choose a “classic” name because they themselves don’t like the modern ones even though it would look silly and out of place with their first child's name. Sorry for the rant it’s just been something I’ve noticed here recently.

@Everanewbie if you really think that a “top law school” would give a monkey about an applicant’s Christian name (something over which they obviously have no control) you are deluded.

It’s not always clear what the parents’ naming rules/conventions are though. There’s nothing to say someone who calls their first child “Jayden” automatically wouldn’t want their second kid to be “Oliver” or something much more vanilla.

I don’t think everyone is necessarily as attuned to the class nuances of names as you are or the risk they will become a bit of a millstone around the child’s neck. Some people genuinely don’t care if the name has particular class associations and may see it as a badge of honour, others would be horrified and see it as a way of disadvantaging the child. The associations are much more subjective than you suggest.

They might just want suggestions from all comers?

I love the baby name threads. I like having a guess how long it'll be before someone suggests Wren. No matter what name preferences the OP suggests, it ends up on every single one for little girls. It seems to be the Ashley of the hour.

I saw Bridge on there the other day, just casually in a list of names 😂

Someone actually called their child Ptolemy. Wow.

I don't want to be mean, but I do find some of the names suggested on MN rather weird

'Top law schools' do not give a shit what an applicant's name is.

I occasionally dip into the name threads and am always amazed that:

a) Anyone would need to ask MN in the first place. It's your child, you name them.

and

b) Posters will happily say "oh that's an awful name" to a complete stranger.

I might think that xxxxx is a terrible name, but wouldn't dream of saying that to anyone who has chosen it. Being anonymous doesn't make it any less rude.

On a lighter note, my NDNs couldn't agree on a name for their daughter. Mr NDN had his heart set on "name" but Mrs NDN wasn't keen. They agreed to put 5 names into a hat and use whichever one was picked out.

Surprise, surprise Mr NDNs favourite was the one picked out.

Mrs NDN had a "doh" moment when we asked her who had actually written the names that went into the hat and whether she had checked the other 4 pieces of paper.

Thats exactly what I think . OPs never come back with the name they chose .

I once saw a thread where the (west African) OP was told several of her proposed (west African) names ‘didn’t sound African at all’. People also argued with her about the meaning of the names (in her first language) based on their Google findings. Then suggested a few ‘nice, traditional’ names, instead.

It was spectacular.

My stepdaughter has a name that would probably fall in the first category of names you mentioned. She got 3 A* in her A-Levels, a place at Cambridge (declined as she realised the culture isn't for her) and is going to the #3 uni for her subject.

Clearly someone's name has absolutely no impact on what schools they get into !!

I was in New York last week on holiday and on the local TV news they were interviewing parents (very affluent Manhattan dwellers, think Charlotte from Sex And The City) about their kids going back to school and one of the parents had children called Lock and Prescott.

Lock. LOCK.

I'm willing to bet Bridge will be on their list if they decide to try for a third baby.

Those names always remind me of the book Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, where the main character gets a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school full of old-money types from New England and observes that all the kids seem to be called things like Lake, Gate and Cross.

I do partly agree that not every siblings name have the same "vibe" but i will say most I've seen do. Normally if someone's picked a classic name like olivia, the chances other child being called Lily or Hannah would be higher because they are also classic names and go together. Whereas if you saw a name like Brittany there is very small chance her siblings name would be Elizabeth or Sarah because they just don't match.

Ptolemy has to be a lie. Yes? Yes?!

People suggest names they like. The OPs don't necessarily say 'I want names similar to X', and besides, some people like quite a wide variety of name types. However, it's apparently ok to slate and mock some types of names, but not others.

Yep. He goes by Tom.

This post is so offensive to my children, Lakelynn, Tribeca, Hunter, Aspen, and Sue!!

In all seriousness, I do think people should choose whatever name they love for their child but be realistic. Just because you love the Facebook like button, doesn’t mean your child should be called Like (real)

Or just because you like Game of Thrones, doesn’t mean your baby Khaleesi won’t be picked on (real)

And just because Abcde is listed in baby name lists nowadays doesn’t mean it’s a good name (real)

he’s best friends with my daughter Phlegm… she just goes by Em

I have recently met children called Laiike, Indiaa, Hannahla and Neevaeh. Up to you, I guess.

@hcarter8

I do partly agree that not every siblings name have the same "vibe" but i will say most I've seen do. Normally if someone's picked a classic name like olivia, the chances other child being called Lily or Hannah would be higher because they are also classic names and go together. Whereas if you saw a name like Brittany there is very small chance her siblings name would be Elizabeth or Sarah because they just don't match.

I dunno... my partner has a VERY classic man's name (it's not John but its something like that) and his sister has what was a ludicrously trendy 80s name (nowadays pretty naff). Sometimes parents just want to mix it up a bit, sometimes they're just not that aware of the associations....

Atticus - but not followed by Pund as in Magpie Murders.

I did actually call my DS one of the names suggested on the baby names thread I made. I had quite specific requirements and preferences due to living in another country. I didn't update the thread as it would be outing as it's an unusual name plus info on thread but I did DM the poster who suggested the name to thank them.

reminds me of when someone posts a Style thread and says 'I usually dress in a gothy, edgy rock chick style - kind of cross between Wednesday Addams and Courtney Love. I wanted to wear this black dress with red roses and skulls on it for a formal lunch but it's sold out in my size, has anyone seen anything similar available? I'm on a really tight budget though' and people start replying 'How about this plain navy knee-length shift dress teamed with nude court shoes, it's only £300 from Reiss'

Or a velvet jumpsuit from Nancy Mac. It’s always a velvet jumpsuit from Nancy Mac.

Agree that most people just spew out a list of names they like with no regard for anything the op has said, of which 99% are either boring or hideous. And don’t even think of giving your baby a Scottish, Irish or Welsh name if you live in England, as they’re tantamount to Klingon and will ensure your child is miserable for the rest of it’s life according to some mumsnetters. Best to stick to classics like George and Maude.

Some casual googling indicates that Edward and Elizabeth are "unique" re-spellings of older "classic" names.

If the people who are so disparaging about modern names were really committed to "classic" names they'd be calling their children Eadweard and Elishebha.

www.etymonline.com/word/elizabeth

www.etymonline.com/word/Edward#etymonline_v_1009

Have you aye