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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Parents hate our first choice name

94 replies

polkadotsrock · 30/06/2013 17:39

My parents have made it clear that they do not even slightly like our first choice name for our DD- will I care less when she's here, will it grow on them or will it forever be a 'thing' between us?? I honestly don't know why it's bothering me so much, perhaps because we had universal agreement on DS' name?

OP posts:

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Mintyy · 30/06/2013 20:39

Ignore your parents. They got to choose when you were a baby. Actually, let it be known that you do not approve of their disapproval.

Snazzywaitingforsummer · 30/06/2013 20:39

How odd of them to say that - I have never met an older Meredith so I don't have that impression at all! In any case it is entirely your choice and you shouldn't be swayed by family preferences.

FreakoidOrganisoid · 30/06/2013 20:49

My family hated dds name. They've got used to it now. It's her name, so they think of her when they use/hear it rather than the preconception they had before she was born.

WeAreEternal · 30/06/2013 20:53

It's a lovely name, tell them to stop being so silly.

DuchessFanny · 30/06/2013 20:57

It's a gorgeous name ! Go with it !

DownyEmerald · 30/06/2013 21:45

I've never met a Meredith so have it has no associations, altho' possibly a character in The Dark is Rising?

Anyway FWIW I think it's great.

Onesleeptillwembley · 30/06/2013 22:11

Can I just add, the only Meredith I knew was old, would have been about 95/6 now, and very, well I suppose you'd say posh. My Father's Aunty. She was also the funniest, can't say sweet, she was wicked, in a good way most accepting, wittiest lady. She was also probably one of the youngest minded people I've ever known. So I don't see it as an' old' name.
She would have both loved and hated Mumsnet.

lola88 · 30/06/2013 22:26

My mum HATED ds's name I mean really hated it but once he was born it grew on her and now she likes it.

I have an unusual name myself not very unusual now but in the 80's it was and my gran hated it said it sounded made up and could I not be called something normal but she got used to it and likes it now.

My mum also has a name which is now normal but in the 60's it was way out there, her grandparents hated it the priest almost refused to christen her because of it but my gran went ahead and her parents accepted it and never mentioned now liking it again.

Call her what you like they will get used to it even if they still don't like it

bugsybill · 30/06/2013 22:53

Don't discuss any more names with anyone.

If your parents bring it up tell them firmly that you are not discussing it anymore and that names go in cycles of fashion and generations.

They might not like your choice but they will have live with it. Tell them your choices are not up for discussion.

There is nothing wrong with Meredith, it is just a generational difference and your parents would have been quite unusual to name a baby that in the 70s/80s as there were plenty of middle aged and old aged merediths back then which is why they think it is old, frumpy and unusable. It is a bit like why we would be less likely to name babies today Jan, Alan, Lisa, Donald or Jenny.

ByHecuba · 30/06/2013 22:58

Meredith is great. How rude they are.
Both my DM, DF and PILs were very when we told them what DD's name would be and it upset me at the time. When she was born though, the pride in their voices when they spoke about her showed that they'd got over it.
Hope your parents are the same, but if they do keep on about it you're going to have to tell them it's not up for discussion and they need to pipe down now. As everybody else has already said, it is your choice!

WhiteShakette · 01/07/2013 11:57

Lovely name, and even if it weren't, none if their beeswax. I agree telling family the baby's name in advance is fatal. Don't be drawn into further discussion. My parents and ILs don't like my son's name, though they have never explicitly said so. They think all children should be called by the most ordinary of the top five names, so they won't stand out in the playground, and the boys, especially, should all be called John or Connor or Paul or Anthony, in case they are teased.

Peachyjustpeachy · 01/07/2013 12:01

if i would have had a boy, I'd have liked to call him Sean. Pronounced Shaun.... simply because my mum would have to call him Shaun even though she INSISTS its pronounced Sean to rhyme with bean!

good job i had a girl!

notso · 01/07/2013 12:28

Peachy

I can't imagine not discussing names with family and friends. For me it was part of the excitement of being pregnant. We didn't ever say "we are calling the baby ...." but said "I like Jonah" or "How do you think Francesca sound with our surname".
I liked hearing their suggestions and opinions.

DM, DSis and DBil all said they didn't like the name we chose for DS3. We still used it, DH and I love it and no-one has mentioned it again.

So what if other people don't love our name choices, as long as they love the DC who have them I don't care!

CPtart · 01/07/2013 13:09

Lovely name- stick with it on point of principle. We chose not to call our DS a hideous name that had been in the family for four generations. The silence was defeating!

Next they'll be trying to influence where she's christened, what school she goes to etc, etc.

sleepingbeautiful · 01/07/2013 13:47

I agree with all the other comments, just ignore your parents. Mine were super rude about DDs middle name and recently my Mum admitted she likes it after all noe (11 months later).

Justfornowitwilldo · 01/07/2013 18:01

Do you love your parents naming choices? Mine chose names I wouldn't pick and my ILs chose names I loathe. As they've decided to share their opinions perhaps you might want to add your views on their naming taste and point out that they've had their turn.

spangledboots · 01/07/2013 20:05

Meredith is a beautiful name and if that's your choice it doesn't matter what the rest of the family think. They'll get used to it! It's not as though you're planning on calling her something completely ridiculous.

bishboschone · 01/07/2013 20:07

My parents weren't keen when I named dd but it suits her and everyone loves her name now. Go with what you like . Grandparents don't get a say about names as far as I'm concerned .

DStone · 01/07/2013 21:24

Meredith is a lovely name...my mum wasn't keen on my dd1 name and kept suggesting alternatives. Months later she told me it had grown on her and she couldn't imagine my dd being called anything else. Dd2, s-i-l wasn't keen on the name knew a woman she didn't like by the same name and thought it was too common we chose to ignore her. At the end of the day you can't please everyone all of the time so go with what makes you happy she's your baby..

PeriodMath · 01/07/2013 21:27

Never reveal baby names to anyone before the baby is born.

Never, never, never.

People are far less likely to offer their opinion on it once baby is born and named and there's no going back.

Original poster

polkadotsrock · 01/07/2013 21:28

Thanks everyone, you've really buoyed us and I'm feeling more convinced than ever that it's the right name for her. So glad I posted :)

OP posts:

Turniptwirl · 01/07/2013 21:51

Meredith is lovely esp Merry for short!

Lurkymclurker · 01/07/2013 21:53

Mil told us she didn't like our choice (Emilia) and said she would call her Emma - I said that's fine I will just correct you, every time!

Move on to dd 21 months and since day 1 she has never been called Emma, mil realised its our choice and that the name suits now she is growing up - stick to your preference or your parents will be thinking they have a say in everything!

Xmasbaby11 · 01/07/2013 21:57

It does sound old fashioned, but that seems to be trendy these days so it's probably not unusual.

It's your choice though - you should stick to your guns!

Maud2011 · 01/07/2013 22:13

It's beautiful - and not your parents business!

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