Heath

[Overreactionoftheweek]

I need the mumsnet jury on this one please - we love the name Heath for ds1 (18wks along). Our surname is three syllables long and starts with a S so I think it goes very nicely and could be the kind of name that suits our son however he turns out and whatever career he goes for.

Anyway, made the mistake of telling mil today...and I quote: "f@ck off that's awful", followed by her laughing in our faces She wants us to call him Joe - nothing wrong with that, just not what we want.

So would you be sniggering at the school gates at a Heath?? It may not be everyone's cup of tea but it's not ridiculous is it?!

Everyone we've told so far seems very underwhelmed by it...I still love it but am starting worry that I'm planning on giving my child a stupid name without realising!

What do you think?

How very rude of your MIL! She's had her children, and the chance of naming them, this is your's and your DH's time!

Heath is not ridiculous at all, I think it's a lovely name ...Joe is for the dog

Now what were you thinking for a mn?!

Heath's perfectly fine. Much better than Joe.

In fact, if I heard Heath at the school gates I'd think 'Oh, that's interesting! (good way)', whereas Joe would get more of a 'Ugh, why!? (exasperated at simplicity and unoriginality of it way)'.

Go for it. Make her change his nappy every time she says she hates it

I met a Huxley the other day and Heath is much nicer than that!!

thank you so much...I was really starting to doubt myself!

mn is going to be my surname...not sure if we'll give him a second one at the mo (my brother, sister and I all have two mns).

And I love the idea of making mil change the nappy every time she's rude - I'll never have do any

I don't really like it, sorry. But if you like it, use it!

Heath is LOVELY. Really like it, and know one who is a sturdy little blonde fellow who really suits it. Have heard no negative comments.

Your MIL sounds, err, a very ladylike character...

tbh not too keen on Heath but wouldnt worry about the school gates - most kids in my DD reception class have unusual names - most people think the 'normal' names are boring!

Ooh I really like it actually.

Well I think your mil is very rude! I love the name Joe though so can't hate her too much hahaha! I like Heath a lot and as someone else has said, she's had her chance to name her child. This is your baby, your choice. Try not to worry what people think too much because fashions change and what we thought were hideous names a few years ago are now in the top 10. Names are such a personal thing. The only thing I would advise is not to tell anyone else until after the baby is here. No body will say anything or even think anything negative when the baby is here. The baby just becomes it's name.

Heath is lovely and much nicer than Joe, which is dull imo.

But of course we all have different tastes. Some will like it, others won't, like with Joe. If you and your dh love it, then go ahead and use it!

It's not my personal style but there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. FWIW I think it's much more interesting than 'Joe'.

Good luck.

I too find Heath a fine name and certainly more intesting than Joe. But what we or your mother in law prefer shouldn't matter. Choose the name YOU love.

really love heath and would have had myself but have one syllable surname so didn't sit right!

I like Heath.

I know a gorgeous baby Heath. Its his name and he suits it. Joe is fine (I have a Joey) but its nothing to do with your incredibly rude MIL.

I like Heath - MILs can be much more scathing than they think!

It is hard to get negative reactions but you will whatever you suggest - someone will always not like it.

I like Heath. But you can't have a one syllable surname, I agree.

I like Heath very much, don't know any. Joe is ok but very widely used already.