Agreeing on a name- advice needed!

[Sannebanana]

OK, so now New Year is over and DD is due in less than 2 months, I really do need to start thinking about names :) This is quite a bit of backstory to this, sorry!

DH and I did start thinking about 3 months ago now, he was adament that he only liked Olivia, Emily or Sophie, not willing to compromise beyond that. And those are nice, but according to every baby name statistics set I can find those 3 are all in the top 5, if not the top 3. I was one of 5 with my name for most of my childhood and really hated turning round when I heard my name and being told 'no, the other one!', got so irritating after a while. Obviously whatever I choose there will be other kids with the same name at some point, I'm sure, but I really don't want DD to be one of 5. And I'm pretty sure that if I call her Sophie/Olivia/Emily, she will be.

Since then, however, DH and I have split up badly after he declared he didn't want to be a father/anything to do with me or the baby, this emerged 3 months ago and we split 4 weeks ago, due to circumstances I won't go into I think the chances of us getting back together are next to none. So, all that considered, do you think I'm allowed to choose a name that's not Olivia, Emily or Sophie?

Thanks xx

OMG are you joking?? I don't mean to sound unkind but he has decided he doesn't want to be a father or have anything to do with you or the baby so why on earth should he get a say in her name?

Erm, can't believe your asking, name your DD whatever you want as you will be bringing her up alone - end of!

WTactualF?? I remember some of your other threads. Good God, as he has washed his hands of the baby and only wants to go to the birth for closure I think you are justified in telling him to get totally knotted.

I'm finding it hard enough to compromise on names with my DH and he's here. He'd have no chance if he ducked out.

I'm ever so sorry to hear of your break up Banana un/fortunately it would seem that way so you will have the pleasure of naming your daughter!! Have you thought of names you like, you seem to say that you would like a slightly more unusual name for her, do you think it has to be the sound/pronunciation or could it be the meaning?

Absolutely 100% yes. :)

He has decided he doesn't want to be a father?! Well, bully for him.

Choose a name that you love for your DD. He has abdicated any right to a say by walking away. Wanker.

Happy new year. And best of luck with your DD - how exciting to think that you'll get to meet her in a couple of months

If he doesn't want anything to do with the baby, you are quite within your rights to call her whatever you like.

Poor you though, that does sound shit. Do you have much RL support?

Sorry that smiley looks a bit flippant - just meant that as Mumbling says you will now have the pleasure of choosing the name yourself. He sounds awful (remember your other threads)... please consider yourself free to make whatever decisions you want as he has declared he wants nothing to do with your child. It is his loss.
What names do you like?

Sorry to hear of your break up but hope you will have a great time naming and bringing up your DD. Hope you will get the support you need from family and friends. Hope you will choose a lovely name for your DD.

Thank you everyone, that's what I thought, just wanted to make sure I wasn't being really selfish/thoughtless/etc.

Imp- I have support from my best friend, who has been amazing, but he's male and he has a girlfriend so there are some things we don't talk about. And I have support from my family but they're in South Africa :( I am coping though, I just seem to end up on here asking for advice a lot of the time at the moment! :)

As for names, I'm kind of in love with Anouk (An-uck) though not completely sure yet. But I don't know what else I like, so I think I am probably going to go with that, provided I can come up with a middle name.

Anouk is beautiful and it'll work in SA too, imo. I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles. x

I love Anouk, much prefer it to another Olivia, Emily or Sophie (all beautiful but very overused names).

I'm glad you've got some support, although that does all sound a bit complicated. I still can't believe your D H is being such an arse! How on earth can he just opt out of being a father at this stage!?

If he's opted out of being a father then he's opted out of choosing a name.

It has fuck all to do with him now, frankly. Any idea that his wishes have any significance at all should be laughed out of town. He's let you and your daughter down in the most horrible way and he deserves nothing but your contempt. Reading up thread: I sincerely hope you do not allow this waste of skin anywhere near your baby's birth- if you want a safe, happy, stress free birth, keep him far away from it. He has no right to be there, in fact his actions make it the case that it would possibly be detrimental to you and the baby's health for him to intrude. Give birth surrounded by people you trust.

Call your baby what you like and send your ex the message that if he can't pick and choose the parts of fatherhood that his shitty little mind can cope with!

Anouk! Love it, Sanne.

I fell in love with that name when reading a book called 'Chocolat'. It's warm and cuddly, earthy name.
Any more ideas?