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.

Gigi is a sweet name – and it is not a nickname for anything AFAIK. It’s a French name surely? Collette used the name in the 1940s (tho that story is not really aspirational).

Tiggi I am not keen on personally and pretty sure that is usually a nickname (for Matilda I think? Or Antigone?? which is deffo not a good story for a name).

But either way, I have heard a lot worse tbh. And no you can't say anything. My mother, on hearing DS1's name, said it sounded very old fashioned and like a cat's name. I have never forgotten that even tho it was 20+ years ago (and we were well ahead of the naming curve haha). She should have said Oh that's lovely dear. Suggest you do that OP.

@NuffSaidSam 😂

I seem to remember a couple calling their child Lillibet and I believe the late Queen held her tongue although she wasn’t pleased about it.

There are 3 Gigi’s in my sons school Im aware of, I think it will grow with popularity. Tiggy seems to be alternative to Gigi, like when lily-mae became very popular so named like “milly Jae” or “Tilly Rae” were used instead.

Anyway say nothing and hope that this doesn’t end up being picked up by the mail.

My MIL was apoplectic about our choice for our second which was a traditional Celtic name. When he reached about 3 she said how it suited him and seemed non plussed by her previous reaction

🤣🤣🤣 !!!

The names are both fine. Little one will ‘become’ their given name in no time at all, and all will be fine.

I know two Gigi's but their full names are both Gabriella. I also know 3 Grandma's that go by Gigi too.

Anyway, you don't say anything. You've had your turn of name choosing and now it's theirs.

Tiggi is dreadful. Gigi wouldn't be to my taste but is less awful.

Tiggi Legge Burke was a royal nanny!

My suggestion OP would be to say casually you never know what name they are going to suit til you meet them you were going to be a Colin til I met you! Why don't you make a short list of 5 names and see which suits them best and smile!

My mum actually did this with me she hated our front runner and actually meeting DS1 he didn't suit it at all. DS2 my DH wasn't fond of my front runner and was set on a name but then meeting DS2 he said nope doesn't suit it he suits your name!

Gigi is the dimuitive of the Italian male name luigi
They can't have done much research.

You need to bite your tongue.

They have already said 'absolutely not' which makes their position very, very clear on the matter.

You have named your DC, now it's their turn.

Unusual names are all the rage.

I wonder if they would like to keep the real baby name to themselves and gave slightly 'eyebrow raising' names just for the laugh...

Also, even when names don't align with other family members tastes, once baby is here the name will roll of the tongue, and will seem completely normal.

Op knows that🙄

Her real first name is Alexandra.

We had a cat called Tiggy.
I agree with you Op, I’d have the same views as you.
But you can’t say anything, you know that and once that wee baby is in your arms for the first time you won’t care too much.

Is it Tabitha? We got told that! 😅

Sounds like they want a ‘trendy’ name! They’re not my taste either but I’d avoid upsetting them, this is why I’d never tell someone my baby names beforehand!

@Ellase The only Gigi I know in real life has the full name Ghislaine, which is obviously now problematic.

They’re fairly trashy names but there’s nothing you can do OP. Maybe gently gently suggest a full name on the birth certificate to your son? But you’re playing with serious fire here!

Ah I like Tabitha! No ds1 not dd. Tho my mum was not a fan of DD's name either.

I like Gigi but defo not Tiggi

Well I like them both - of course probably more biased towards Tiggi (Ha!)

You've already given your opinion when you asked about it. Say nothing more.