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.

I know a Tigi aka Tamara. Gigi is Spencer’s child, Made in Chelsea, plus literary you might argue at push.

Even if it offends someone? No. There are times to be open and honest - when we are asked our opinion. And there are times when we keep our mouths shut because maintaining a good relationship is more important than our unwanted and irrelevant opinions.

Tiggi sounds like a cats name and Gigi a prostitutes!

How will you feel if they go ahead and use the names after you have said you don't like them? This has implications for the rest of your life! For the love of God keep your mouth shut. If they really are truly awful names then can't you persuade a distant cousin to say something instead?

My nickname is tiggy (started as tigger when I was about 13), everyone calls me tiggs. It’s nothing like my real name 😆 I have a v professional, high earning job and tiggs flies absolutely fine. Only my parents call me by my ‘real’ name, and even they shorten that to just its first letter.

i guess even if they name their child one of these there’s a good chance it could shift to something completely different at some point

Not your role unfortunately. I think the names are awful too and would be much better as shortened nick names. But like I said, not your place.

Promote Gigi as your favourite of the two. Hope they bump into someone with a cat called Tiggi in the meantime

I actually don’t think those names are hideous but definitely not my taste !
My Mum was horrified 30 years ago when I mentioned a name for my child if he had been female. I wasn’t offended ,just relieved now that he wasn’t female 😂

Oh good grief! - how can you even ask!? - just zip the lip!

And keep it zipped when this GC is being brought up - there will be times when you think their parenting actions are bonkers but you say nowt - never, ever!

Only give them your opinion if they actually ask you for it.

Did they ask you what you think?

Tiggy Bourke-Legg did ok with her name…. It maybe a nickname but she’s used it forever. Gigi wouldn’t be out of place on a Masters in the Renaissance at the Courtald either so they work on several levels actually.

I’ve heard much worse.

I don't mind Gigi and I think it's growing in popularity due to Gigi Hadid. I've also met a lady that was in her 70s called Tiggy! I didn't ask if it was short for anything. I've heard way worse names, you'll get used to it I'm sure. Congratulations!

No, you had your turn at naming your DS and you wouldn't have appreciated anyone butting in with their opinion, however well-meaning they were at the time.

It's not your place to say anything unless they specifically ask if you like the names too. And if they do ask and you don't like, you can say "It's what you think that counts" if you can't fib for their sakes.

I know a few Gigi’s it’s becoming a very popular name

Neither of those names would remotely be my choice, but that matters not - as indeed your opinion matters not.

One of the things that I have noticed over the years is that a name which seems ridiculous at the start gradually becomes less so as you associate with a loved GC. I have a whole gaggle of GC and I would not have necessarily chosen the names they have - but it is absolutely none of my business and the names are now dear to me.

Keep your opinions to yourself?
None of your business

It’s not your child.

Are you going to be this intrusive when the baby is born? 🙄

Well they’re both awful imo but it’s not your baby. They aren’t offensive or anything of that ilk, keep your mouth firmly closed about their choices!

Isn't it generally cats that are called Tiggi?

Don’t say anything.

For the record, I think Tiggy is great!

Do not say anything! It’s their baby and their choice. I made sure I didn’t tell anyone any of my name choices until baby was born as didn’t want people saying they didn’t like it and believe me my mum would have told me.

Buy a couple of cats and call the Tiggy and Gigi.