If your DC has a name not to everyone's taste...any regrets?

[RichInBunlyGoodness]

DS is due in a couple of weeks. We have a short list and a couple of definite favourites. I know they are not really crowd pleasing names which in theory doesn't bother me but I'm freaking out slightly about negative reactions.

DD's name has always received a fairly positive response but none of the options we have for DS will be well liked. Those people who've gone for names that aren't everyone's cup of tea - any regrets? Were people more or less negative than you imagined?

Part of me thinks that a couple of people might pull a face but in no time at all I won't even be able to remember why I was worrying. Surely you just have to go with what you like and not worry about what others think (as long as its not completely ridiculous). Right?

[ZolaBuddleia]

Definitely consider the calling it out in a supermarket / non MN environment, what may be fabulous in Islington may mortify you in Darlington.

I like Sonny too, I met one once and he was lovely. Wyatt really does make me think 'Earp", I'm afraid. I also like the suggestion of Emmett.

[Yay4may]

I am normally a $*! what people think kind of person and I picked a name that I knew my family and others would not receive well (DP and I could only agree on the one). 5 years on, I still think it was the right name/choice but I do have a twinge every now and then when I see her struggle with people not liking it or saying it correctly. It's all very fine for me/you to have a devil may care attitude but you have to think about how it might affect your child who may not have as thick a skin.

But, I don't really think any of yours fall within that - I like Ernest....although should confess I am a huge Oscar Wilde fan!

[emmyloo2]

Oooh Ernest is a fabulous name. Choose that!

[MrsHBaby3]

My son has a real name, but very unusual, do not know of any others but there are quite a few variants around that are popular. I feel for him when he has to repeat himself when he introduces himself, and the attempted spellings drive me mad but it doesn't seem to bother him. I will often introduce him as the shortened version if I'm worried about a reaction/ cant be bothered to explain where its from, etc I purposefully gave him a very sensible traditional family mn which he could use as an option when older, but he does suit his name so much and I couldn't and wouldn't want him as anything else!

[sparklechops]

I think that if you are choosing an unusual name, be prepared for negative reactions and also be prepared that, with your hormones going haywire, it may affect you more than you realise.

The first person we told our DD's name to (darling MIL) was outraged by it and that feeling of disapproval always stuck with me - and is still affecting me now.

I think that post birth you are pretty vulnerable and it can hurt you more than you realise. So be ready for it - and be ready to smile through it/tell the naysayers to f off.....