To tell them their baby name options aren’t great?

[Ellase]

I can be fairly confident DS and DIL don’t use Mumsnet so I’m prepared to take a risk and post this.

DS and his wife are expecting their first baby, all very exciting, a little girl. Tonight they came over and we were chatting names and they told me what their two front runners are, and well they aren’t inherently awful, but they are diminutives that aren’t well established as names in their own right (so we aren’t talking Milly or Rosie which are now fully fledged names). I asked if they were planning to use a longer name too and was told absolutely not. This worries as I feel their child won’t much appreciate having a name that is not well established, sounds a bit off (I don’t know how to explain better than that), and could easily have a longer name that would provide more optionality however they choose to live their life.

Should I cautiously mention it or just bite my tongue? We have a very positive relationship generally and they tend to be open to advice.

Bite your tongue

It’s their baby and their choice. Keep silent.

None of your business! Is it your child?? No

They said absolutely not, so bite your lip they don't want your opinion.

I would only mention it if the name was something absolutely dreadful. If they wanted to call her Chlamydia or Shithead or something then you'd be right to speak up. If they want to call her Lottie or Dotty or something then you need to let it go.

Their baby, their name. The only time I'd ever say anything is if I thought someone hadn't realised the connotations of a name (e.g. Candida and the associations with yeast infections).

Say nothing!
they might change their minds or once the baby is here you might get used to the name and change your feelings anyway?

Unless it's offensive, say nothing.

Unless you live somejwere pretty isolated its likely their children will be raised amongst children with names from many from different cultures and a name that is 'not well established, sounds a bit off' won't raise a single eyebrow.

I don't know - I think, if tactfully phrased, you could say something like "oh that's adorable, I really like it. Had you thought about giving her a professional version so she can also have a "shit hot lawyer" name? I think that's a lovely gift to give a child" . That way you're not negating their choices, just making them think outside the box of 'cute tiny baby ' to the fact that baby will be a grown up one day!

Absolutely none of your business.

And the name is.......?

I’ll share only as I’m fairly certain neither of them use this website and they said they haven’t shared the names with anyone else but their two top names were Tiggi and Gigi

God no

That was to giving advice not the names, the names are irrelevant

Why would you think you have a right to tell them this? 😂 It's none of your business.

I don’t mind Gigi. Not so keen on Tiggi(e).

Bite your tongue or be extremely indirect / non-committal.

It's such an emotive choice, people are easily put off the name they love by others' comments. I would really leave it to them to choose - and naming styles overall change over the generations so I think those names wouldn't be very unusual now.

You’re right, they’re awful.

But, keep yourself out of. Smile and nod.

Don’t say anything. It won’t end well. They’ll remember the conversation and it’ll sour the positive relationship you have.
Speaking from experience!

Imagine the reverse… my MIL is interfering with our baby names, nothing I ever do is good enough for her etc etc

Those names are awful. I don't see why it's such a bad thing for you to have an opinion. Isn't that how friendships and relationships develop, when we are open about our thoughts and feelings?Why does everyone have to remain neutral and positive? It makes for very shallow relationships.

I don’t like the names but I think it’s time to bite your tongue. I’d only express a negative view if they were unwittingly planning to call their baby Bernadette Umhole or Orla Sechs or something. Just not liking the names is not enough.

Gigi - ok if its prounuced French style but also could awful if its hard G. Like im betting on the GGs

Tiggi - life time of piss taking

Same response also applies to the names, too though.

God no! Awful names.
God no! Don't intervene.