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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Both granny's don't like the names we have chosen

87 replies

Woofers · 14/03/2013 15:56

We are expecting our first, and their first grand child in summer.

Quickly decided on names (shockingly)

Told his dmum a few weeks ago and she laughed.
Told my mum and she said how awful!

We want Herbert - Bertie for a boy, and connie for a girl.

It's Bertie / Herbert they have objected to.

If it was connie, then we have other names, but no reserve names which we agree on for a boy.

What are the options?

OP posts:

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snuffaluffagus · 14/03/2013 16:48

Names tend to skip a generation.. so we think of names such as Sandra/Barbara/Keith/Roger etc as a bit old fashioned, but love "granny" names like Edie, Florence, Ivy etc.. but our parents, will see those granny names as we see the Barbara/Keith's.. if you see what I mean.. so they just have to get with it!

SanityClause · 14/03/2013 16:52

When I was preganat with DC1, I soon realised that I was never going to choose a name that me, DH and every other person in the whole damn world was going to like. So I stuck to finding one that DH and I could agree on, and we just didn't discuss it with the world at large.

Only really rude people will make a comment once your baby is introduced to them as "Little Herbert, Bertie for short". (Such people do exist, however.)

cheekyweelassie · 14/03/2013 16:52

Aw trust me when the baby is here they won't mind one bit what the baby's name is they will love that little baby and the baby's name the minute they see him/her, don't let anyone make you disuade you! it's great that you already know the names you want for your little one xoxox

exoticfruits · 14/03/2013 16:56

I never know why people announce them in advance- if you wait until they are here they accept it. Telling them beforehand gives the impression it is up for debate.

JammySplodger · 14/03/2013 16:58

I like your choice of names :)

flatmum · 14/03/2013 16:59

My considered opinion on this after having been through this is;

So?

toffeelolly · 14/03/2013 16:59

Do not let them put you off, my brother went through this with his first. Then i learned never to tell them our names till babies were born. When my last was born we called alfie rang to let my mum know her very word's were you did not and laughing, was so cross , but they never put us off. I think bertie and connie are really lovely name's , do not let them put you off.Just loving bertie so much

LittleMilla · 14/03/2013 17:02

My husband's parents refused to call our son his name at first! We named him Wilfred and wanted him to be known as Wilf. They point blank refused and instead called him Freddie. Fil even wrote (and framed!) a poem to Freddie!!

After about a month I went APE and DH had to have a word. Pointing out how incredibly disrespectful they were being.

And now everyone loves Wilf.

Fuckers

MildDrPepperAddiction · 14/03/2013 17:17

My MIL said that our dd would be bullied at school because of her name. We went ahead and named her the name we wanted anyway when she was born. We have had nothing but positive reactions from everyone else.

She has since backtracked and is going on about what a beautiful name it is now.

Name your baby whatever you want.

Congrats btw!

Laquila · 14/03/2013 17:33

@LittleMilla - I LOVE the name Wilfred! V rude of your in-laws (although sweet that they wrote him a poem)

UniqueAndAmazing · 14/03/2013 17:37

I like Herbert - my Grandad was a Herbert.

I think it's lovely.

i think your mums need to butt the fuck out. It's YOUR baby and YOUR choice of names.
they had their choice when you were born.

BeeBopDingALing · 14/03/2013 17:39

They have had their turn at choosing names so it's not up to them. However Herbert is awful, can you imagine a teenager called Herbert? If you do go with it then give him a nice middle name so he has a choice when he is older. Connie is really lovely.

LillianGish · 14/03/2013 17:47

You are entitled to choose a name, they are entitled to dislike it. That's their honest reaction (it would be mine actually and I'm sure others will share their opinion) if it bothers you then find another name. Otherwise as others have said I'm sure it will grow on them in time if little Herbert is a little sweetie.

BackforGood · 14/03/2013 17:48

They've got a point......

That said, they've had their turn at naming their children, so now it's your turn.
However, I can't understand why you would tell people your intentions before the baby is born, if you don't want opinions on it ?

MidnightMasquerader · 14/03/2013 17:59

They're not my choices ... but why are you even discussing your chosen names with people? This is what happens when you do that!

LillianGish · 14/03/2013 18:00

Actually it always surprises that people who choose such Marmite names are then surprised when they get a negative reaction. Isn't that the whole point of choosing such a name in the first place?

MidnightMasquerader · 14/03/2013 18:01

PuffPants · 14/03/2013 18:11

And the moral of the story is? Never tell anyone your baby names until AFTER the birth. Don't even mention ideas in passing - not a word! Most people will express an opinion pre-birth but rarely afterwards. Unless they are very rude and then their opinions don't matter!

cjel · 14/03/2013 18:13

Just thinking that its none of my business and do you really mind what I say?No then don't mind what they say.xx

LittleMilla · 14/03/2013 18:18

Laquila - cynical old me saw it as a passive aggressive way to try and get their way on the name. It was a lovely poem and we're now all able to joke that Wilf will ask in years to come "who's Freddie?" Ha ha

Andcake · 14/03/2013 18:20

For exactly this reason we didn't share pre the baby being born with anyone. As people love babies whatever especially gp. Just take it as a warning sign about what to expect once baby is here- my parents have never been so annoying and I know they would have had a pov and I may not have liked it.

Summer is a while away just keep thinking and mull it over you may change your mind by then. But it's your choice- they are not going to love their gc any less.

LuckyOwl28 · 14/03/2013 18:26

We haven't told anyone our names for this reason! I'm too easily influenced by people's opinions and know we'd never end up agreeing on a name as it would be impossible to think of one EVERYONE loves!

My poor Nanna is in for a shock if it's a boy as it will be the same name as her budgie!

People get used to it, I really would just stick with your choice and don't worry!

ThedementedPenguin · 14/03/2013 18:27

woofers my ds is called Herbie. We didn't like Herbert but loved Herbie so that's what we chose.

It does take time for people to get used to a name but honestly if you like it then go for it.

I've only ever heard nice things about my ds' name. Everyone seems to love it and says what a cute/great name.

It took me a while to get used to it but seriously I couldn't imagine my ds being called anything else. Don't let them put you off your chosen name.

MerylStrop · 14/03/2013 18:30

Well maybe it will bring them together

Maybe you should come up with a truly dreadful name. Dunno what but something really objectionable. And say that you have changed to that. Then they will be relieved and embrace Herbert.

Herb is a cool nickname

LemonBreeland · 14/03/2013 18:44

Agree that you have now learned not to share your names beforehand.

My MILs MIL told her that the name she had picked for dh was a dogs name and she ended up changing it after closing her eyes and picking in a baby book. This was after he was born!

However that was a different generation, although I still don't believe she should have done it.

Name your baby whatever you like.

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