So, (D)M has just told me she hates our proposed name for DC2.

[Spoutlet]

It is the only name that DH and I both agree on and I'm annoyed that she and F are being so negative about our choice. She launched into a rant about how the poor boy will be open to ridicule at school, it's a dogs name and they just don't like it. They'd prefer a name like Jack or Thomas. We probably shouldn't have mentioned it, but she asked and I knew they'd probably be a bit weird about it and would rather get their weirdness out of the way before DS arrives. The name is Otto, by the way. I did have a little reservation about using it, i.e. we have no German heritage, but I was starting to overcome this as we do really love the name. I'm now wavering! So, thoughts on Otto, please. Apologies for the mini rant!

It's cute. There is a lovely kids book called "A Fish Out Of Water" that you should read

If you like it use it! Your DM will quickly get used to it when it is actually your DSs name rather than hypothetical.

Oh gosh. This is a tough one.
I kind of agree with your mum but think you have every right still to go ahead.
Not the answer you want, I think.

I don't think you need to go James or Richard, but Otto, without the benefit of coming from that country, is a bit out there. Is there a balance anywhere? What are your b-list name?

Great name for a dog, OK name for a baby, not great name for someone who's not a continental European. He will be constantly asked what the connection is.

On the other hand, use it if you like it.

I like it. But NEVER tell anyone your name till after the baby is born.

If they ask make something else up! LOL

I'm not keen tbh, but if you love it you shouldn't let your mum talk you out of it. She'll get used to it eventually.

Otto is gorgeous. I'd stick with it. I don't think of it as a dog's name either.

Your baby. Your choice. Otto is lovely. When you said dog's name I imagined Rover or Lassie!

Tell she had her chance to name children, so could she kindly butt out.

Otto is ok. A palindrome, which is always good.

It wouldn't be my choice, but it's better than poxy Jack.

I like it. Stick to your guns

Oh ignore your parents. After there response to DS1, also 'it's a dogs name'....I actually named DS2 after the family dog. Not intentionally, much , she didn't say a word!!!!

That's a shame but she'll get used to it.

I like it. My mother and MIL both hate my youngest sons name (as do most of the people on here) but it really is quite unimportant now, he is two, they know and love him. As long as you are happy with it, go for it.

stick with it, but this was the very reason we didn't tell anyone what we were calling the DS's until they were born. Few people are rude about an actual babies name.

I'll be honest - I really dislike Otto. It has a comical sound to me and is also the name of Europe's largest mail order company:

However, I am very much in favour of underused classic names and find Jack and Thomas incredibly dull and overused. But there are lots of other underused classics that are nicer than Otto imo.

I'm afraid I do agree with your mum's general opinion of the name, but she has been rather rude and outspoken about it.

Hmmmm....if you are looking on an opinion on the name...My rule is that a shortened name ( jamie, freddie,bertie) should have the full name on the Birth Cert (James, Frederick, Robert) and names that are obviously form another culture, should have a familial reason to back it up.

I am a bit of a stick in the mud about names.

My DS has a very Scottish name. I am Scottish. My DD has my maternal GMs middle name.

and I have no idea whether my mum or dad like my DC's names, and I really don't care. We loved them! btw my two are Fabian and Raphael (Rafe)

Oh and the world could live without another...
jack
thomas
william
james
harry
henry
oliver
finley
charlie
oscar

But again, that is just my opinion, and those names are lovely. Just very popular.

woof

She was very unkind in the way she chose to say it. It's not her choice to make. Having said that, the only non central Europeans I have known with that name are dogs. Three of them. It's a nice name, but rarely used for people in the uk.

Oo, mixed response on the name! I guess it is a Marmite type of name.

The lack of German connection is a concern, especially as it is so German; DH isn't bothered by this at all. DD's name is often identified as being German, despite also being a (not uncommon) English name with it's English spelling - she was named after a close family member. B list is either Hugo (my choice, DH dislikes) or Caspar (DH's choice, but I don't think it works well with our surname). There are no other names we both like - aarrgh - it was so easy with DD's name. Ideas for names similar to these, please, you know just in case we actually decide we don't want to use the name rather than taking DM's opinion on board .

I think Hugo and Caspar are both nice.