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!

FWIW I think the name is awful unless you live in Germany and think he probably will be teased (think history lessons and Bismarck), but yes, it's your choice.

Oops - forgot to say - Hugo is great, but getting very popular, much to my brothers disgust.

My MIL laughed at us for considering bog standard Harry.

You cant please all of the people all of tge time. Thankfully the only two people who have to like it are you and your dh.

I don't think that Otto is particularly out there, that people will necessarily assume a German connection (Behind the name has it as German/Scandinavian/English/Dutch/Finnish), or that it would particularly be teasing fodder (depending on where you live and the likely names of school fellows). It's not my cup of tea, but then I don't think that's particularly relevant (far too many people decided they liked my choice of name!). I'd take zipzap's approach and tell your parents that you reflected and are opting for say Attila, Zeus or Ptolomy perhaps...

dh's parents were told that his name was 'a dogs name'. It was the most popular name for boys in the year he was born!

my mum didn't like DN name. told DB and SIL when they suggested it before baby was born. Was sniffy when they were going to use it once baby was born. Once they decided to actually go ahead, mum shut up and has never mentioned it since.
I think once a name becomes a child, the name changes and becomes them, and then you love it because it is the child.
Go with your choice. There are so many different names around now, I don't think kids get teased about names really any more.

When ds was born the lady in the bed opposite had a ptolomy, tolly for short, you should of seen the looks on the midwives faces every time one came in and she told them the baby's name, it was priceless

When I hear 'otto' I always think 'eight' in Italian. Is he, by any chance, your 8th child? (probably not). Oh well.

I too have never met a dog called Otto, but it'san excellent name and if I ever get another dog I may call him Otto. We do currently have a dog who rejoices in one of the name suggested upthread. :o

I can't believe how opinionated people are about names. It really is nothing to do with them. Choose a name you like and stick to it. They are nearly all a matter of fashion anyway.

I think foreign names are fine so long as you dont have to use a foreign accent to pronounce it correctly, so, for example, if you are both British

• Astrid fine
• Jean-Baptiste not fine

Therefore, Otto fine. When you said dog's name I immediately thought Rex- never met a dog called Otto

Actually, in Germany the name is very uncool and used by a famous comedian. It is very old fashioned there.

Can I just ask EVERYONE on here, to never ever disclose a preferred name until the baby is born?!

Telling people the name before is like asking for feedback (comments)= trouble

Telling them the name once baby is born means they just have to accept it, and won't comment, as the name is then a FACT

OP, do what you like :)

Your mum's probably thinking of this. I'm afraid when I hear the name Otto, I always hear it in Graham Chapman's voice....

Your child, your choice, though.

Totally agree with Chasndon, I just don't understand why people feel the need to discuss every detail of their baby's life (ie: its sex, name etc etc) with anyone else before it is even born?

I know a baby Otto in Belgium. I wouldn't use it though if without a germanic connection.

I like it, and think it's much better than Hugo or Caspar.

Families I know that sound like you in terms of your preferences have boys called Finn, Inigo, Xavier, Sebastian, Arlo, Louis and Caspar.

It does not matter that you have no connection with the country of origon...my DD has a Spanich name...we have no connection and nobody has asked if we do...not once!

Personally I think it's awful. Sorry. And I do think it's odd to give your child a name which is very specific to a country when you have no connection to it. I have a French name, and the only connection is that my father lived there for 6 months once- I do explain it over and over and over.

I can understand why you discuss names with those closest to you when pg, btw- I really wanted to know what they thought and if there were problems DH and I hadn't thought of. There was one name I was put off that way, and I am very very glad that they did put me off because that name would have been a burden to my son.

Otto is great and was my first choice for a while. It wasn't popular with my family though, for the reasons above. My step dad is Austrian and said Otto is an old man's name over there - so you are on trend with the current old people's names fashion here.

I went with another 'dog's name' in the end, only 62 others born in the same year in the UK.

A yes vote for Otto from me.

Why do people do this?! Just keep the name to yourself and announce the name once your baby has arrived safe and healthy, IMO!! Saves a lot of heartache. My parents were not informed, it's a personal choice and I don't think it's anyone else's business what you think of calling your baby.

I think it's lovely... And unusual in a nice way, not a wierd, teased for the rest of his life kind of way!

Personally I think it's really rude to be so vocal about names, unless they're going to scar a child for life. My DB and SIL have chosen a name that is very much not my cup of tea... But I just smile politely and say that although I wouldn't choose it, it's lovely.... What's the point of hurting their feelings over something so personal... Saying that, I'm 25w and have chosen a name for our boy... One of this list of overused and boring names that are getting a roasting on here and I couldn't care less what people say... It has a special meaning to DH and I and sod anyone else

Otto brings to mind a humourless and slightly sadistic German soldier.

"It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Otto is "wealth". Common in English-speaking countries until Otto von Bismarck's German armies became threateningly powerful in the early 20th century."

Don't do it. Not for the reasons that your mum said, though.

I think I"m with the OPs mother on this one. If there was german heritage then yes, it's OK (still don't like the name but [shrug])

Hugo and Caspar are far nicer than Otto.

I like otto, it's cute.

However, it's DEATH to mention a name to anyone before you have had the little mite. DH made this mistake last time and bloody MIL decided she didn't like it and would call DD something else It made DH doubt himself enough to decide against it. DD did end up with a different name, one that really suits her but MIL still refuses to use DDs self chosen nn and has come up with her own one which DD doesn't know is her.

FFS.

If you want to be ahead of the curve, what about Eric?