Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

In tears because family doesn't like my baby's name

123 replies

ParsleyCake · 09/02/2015 21:22

It must be the hormones, but I'm completely devastated and in tears because my partner's family don't like the name we picked out for our baby boy.

My own family took a moment to think about it before deciding that they liked it - it's an unusual choice after all, but the reaction from the in laws has upset me so much.

We wanted to call our little boy Gryffin. I understand it's unusual, but it's not horrific, is it? It's Welsh in origin, and I just love the connotations it has with magic and knights and mythology. I always think of it as a laid-back, surfer sort of name.

We picked it out when I was only a month or so along, but then tried to take a few months to think of other names just to be sure we definitely liked it. Nothing else really seemed right. Now I'm twenty two weeks and have already started calling the bump Gryffin, and it just fits so well, but we started telling family to somepositive, but mostly luke-warm reception. Everyone was supportive however, and agreed it was nice but unusual. But when we told my partner's grandmother, she changed the subject, and we told a favorite Aunty and her expression was shock and horror.

Anyway, now I'm just depressed and upset. Is Gryffin really so horrific? There are children with awfully strange names these days, I recently heard of a Storm, a Phoenix, a Leaf, a Branch (not kidding!) and even a Banjo just in our local community. I can't imagine a boy getting bullied for being called Gryffin, it seems like a cool name? Am I wrong?

Do you think it's just that it wasn't to their taste? Or am I being cruel to cinsider calling my child this? I understand not particularly liking a name, but surely it isn't a completely awful name?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
holeinmyheart · 09/02/2015 21:25

I think it is a lovely name. You made the mistake of telling you family. Stick with your decision and don't take any notice of your mean family. Xxx

AlmaMartyr · 09/02/2015 21:28

I think Gryffin is a fab name. Ignore rude people who comment on it.

Andcake · 09/02/2015 21:28

Nice name - you stupidly to,d people before baby arrived. Whatever the name once baby is here people are less bothered as all they see us lovely squidgy new baby.
Time and again people tell people assuming everyone will love it. You shouldn't gave told them if you didn't want an opinion.

meandjulio · 09/02/2015 21:28

It's a beautiful name. Never, never tell the family pre-birth if you can avoid it, but now you have, keep your head high and keep on loving your Gryffin.

My mother's face was a picture when I told her ds's name Grin but only for about a nanosecond because she was busy falling in love with her grandchild. All will be well once Gryffin is here.

ValentinesDay · 09/02/2015 21:28

They will get used to it.

Wailywailywaily · 09/02/2015 21:29

Its a lovely name. Stick to your guns

CultureSucksDownWords · 09/02/2015 21:29

If you like it and you're happy with your choice then don't be put off by your family who can't be gracious about it. As it happens, I like Gryffin, which could be Gryff or even Fin as a nickname.

If you have another baby in the future, don't tell anyone in rl your chosen name until the baby is here. People are much less likely to say anything when the baby has arrived and been named.

IfNotNowThenWhen · 09/02/2015 21:31

Love it!
stick to your guns.

TheLondoner22 · 09/02/2015 21:33

Love it!!! :) fabulous Smile

BossWitch · 09/02/2015 21:34

I like it, and don't often like "trendy/unique" names. I'd leave off using the name in front of the family until baby is here, and then, as other posters have said, they'll be too busy falling in love with the squishy little baby to be bothered about the name.

lockie1983 · 09/02/2015 21:37

I like the name too. If I'm honest I'm not keen on the spelling and prefer Griffin but it's not my baby.

This is often what happens when you announce a name without a baby I'm afraid.

It's your child, you're the one who will be hollering the name over a playground, stuff what everyone else thinks.

Oh and you'll probably get a few haters on here too.

Archer26 · 09/02/2015 21:38

Love it. I made the mistake of telling my mum the boys name we'd chosen (Heath) and though she didn't say she didn't like it, she had the look. a look I know so well
It upset me at first but I still love it so I'm going with my heart.

MilkThistle187 · 09/02/2015 21:39

When we told FIL DS's name he said "You're not naming a goldfish you know'Shock

Ignore them, he's your baby, you get to choose

lockie1983 · 09/02/2015 21:39

Take it back - x post and every loves it!

Allstoppedup · 09/02/2015 21:40

I really like it.

My DS has an unusual name and is now 1 but my mum still makes the occasional remark. All the other people who were initially unsure all seem to think he suits it now and I no longer worry about telling people (like you I was sensitive at first!- partially blame hormones but I also think a name choice is personal and criticism can be hard) and love that he has a 'different' name!

Some people will be positive, some will be negative but all that matters is that you and your DP love it!

MummyBeerest · 09/02/2015 21:45

I love it. There was a Griffin in my class and all the girls loved him, so only good connotations for me.

Tell them you changed your mind but stick to it when he's born. They'll get over it.

Katie2489 · 09/02/2015 21:45

I'm more into classic names myself but even I don't find it too bad. It's very much your choice, you would almost certainly barf at my boring choices! If you like it go for it, my in laws frown upon almost everything I have learnt to ignore them.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 09/02/2015 21:47

I think it's just not to their taste.
Stop being upset OP, at the moment it's abstract to other people as opposed to you having a baby in your arms and saying 'Meet X'
Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and when your baby arrives just tell everyone who he is and think nothing of their opinions. Honestly, it's not worth you crying over. Face it, there are plenty of names you don't care for. It's all subjective.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 09/02/2015 21:47

It doesn't matter a jot if your family or we like the name. Your baby your choice. Your family well the ones who have children have had their day choosing names, when they had their own.
I wouldn't dream of trying to put some one more off a name.
Also if someone told me in no uncertain terms not to use a name I'd be using it out of spite.

MamaLazarou · 09/02/2015 21:47

They have no taste - it's a fabulous name.

They will have to get used to it, won't they?

My family were very rude about my son's (unusual) name when he was born but they all love it now because it is his and he is wonderful.

captainfarrell · 09/02/2015 21:48

Why do you need their approval. We told nobody about our choices until the baby was born and named. They didn't have a chance then because everyone is swept up with the excitement and emotion. It's your baby, as long as you both like the name, stick with it. This is the first decision in a long line during parenthood, you have to go with your instinct!

fattycow · 09/02/2015 21:48

This is one of the reasons we aren't telling anyone our choices. Hard to say something about a name to your face once the baby is here and named.

By the way, I think it is a lovely name.

Yika · 09/02/2015 21:49

I like it and I also am not one for weird and wonderful names. It's not difficult, it has history and mystery and is generally lovely and they are being unkind and really not very helpful. Stick with Gryffin.

Canshopwillshop · 09/02/2015 21:50

I love it - honestly, not just saying. Ignore them, it's your baby! They will soon get used to it once he's here.

LMGTFY · 09/02/2015 21:50

Nice name, ride it out, they'll get used to it, they have to!