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Baby names

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

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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:

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Fuckmath · 09/02/2015 21:50

It's so your baby so the name is between you and your do and they can wind their necks in.

For what it's worth I like the name!

CountingThePennies · 09/02/2015 21:50

Nobody liked dds name

Its not a popular name. In fact my mother still hates it now 2 years later!

When i think of dds name i still really love it

pictish · 09/02/2015 21:51

I like it. I'd not have the y in there myself, and would most likely call him Griff, but that's just me. You do what you like. xx

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 09/02/2015 21:51

Lovely name.
When is Gryffin due?

Longdistancenerves · 09/02/2015 21:52

I love it! Stick to your guns :)

Viviennemary · 09/02/2015 21:53

I don't like it at all. And would probably say something if one of my children wanted to use it. But in the end it's your choice.

Mistlewoeandwhine · 09/02/2015 21:54

Beautiful name - in fact it was on my short list for DS1. My boys both have weird names. I love them and don't really give a damn what anyone else thinks :)

Azquilith · 09/02/2015 21:55

I'm a right meanie about ridiculous mumsnet names but I love this and may steal it.
My Grandma told me my son's name was a girl's name. I don't care.

GettingFiggyWithIt · 09/02/2015 21:56

I prefer Gryffin with a y because Griff Rhys Jones annoys me...Griffin Dunne on the other hand You can call your baby what you want.
Except Banjo. Never Banjo. That is child abuse.
In fact tell your family you have changed your mind and are going to call him Uke as in ukele. That'll learn 'em!
By the by Fin is a lovely lovely nn

frostyfingers · 09/02/2015 21:57

Your baby, your choice of name. I like it.

tinkerbelletigger · 09/02/2015 21:58

I love it! I was totally in love with a boy called Gryff when I was young, he was lovely so only good vibes for me. It's definitely not a weird name at all, just unusual at the moment. I can see you setting a trend though!

zipzap · 09/02/2015 21:58

I think it's great. A friend's son is Griffin and it's a fab name to have.

It's really rotten of your pil to be so negative about your choice of name. Unfortunately you can't un-tell them - so why not have some fun with them in the interim. Think of all the most outrageous names you can, ones that you'd never use but mostly ones that you think they would hate, and each week 'decide' on a new name for your bump... Throw the occasional normal name in that can be thrown out too along with all the others so they don't suss that you are not being serious.

Then when you announce Gryffin as your actual choice it will seem great in comparison to the others you had suggested [scheming smiley]

The trick is to have fun choosing the names and coming up with outrageous reasons for them - you have several unusual names in your op that would do fantastically as starters ('Phoenix - because we liked Harry Potter books but Harry would be too boring', 'Branch or Leaf, or maybe the two of them, because we love nature', Wellington because he was my favourite womble, Beefor - because it will help him with his alphabet - ie b for boy, etc etc)

TheyLearnedFromBrian · 09/02/2015 21:58

Never never never tell anyone your baby name before the baby is here - they will all have an opinion!!

It's lovely. I'd spell it differently, but that doesn't matter. We know a wee Gruff (which is said Griff). It is a genuinely good name: sounds trendy, but is actually derived from a very old Welsh name, and people are familiar with it.

If you DID want to make it more traditional, if it's going to be upsetting to have people question it, you could choose to have Griffin, Griff for short - people are familiar with Griff Rhys Jones. But you don't have to change it at all.

DakotaFanny · 09/02/2015 22:00

In a year it will be their favourite name in the world because the name will become the baby.

Until then, sod 'em.

TheyLearnedFromBrian · 09/02/2015 22:00

Oh yes. 'Sad that you don't like Gryffin - we'll probably go for our b-choice of Wolfgang, then, or also in the running are Attila, Stormchaser, and Balonz. Which do you prefer, MIL?

IKnewYou · 09/02/2015 22:01

Ohh, that's a rookie mistake telling anyone the name before the birth. If you have another DC you will know to keep the name secret. or if you are feeling mean you could could give them a list of truely out there names

I think it's a good strong name. It can be abbreviated to Gryff like Griff Reece Jones (have I got that right?? )

sebsmummy1 · 09/02/2015 22:02

I like it! The goldfish comment in one of the replies had me chuckling for a while though

qazxc · 09/02/2015 22:02

I think it's a lovely name. Unusual but really lovely.

morethanpotatoprints · 09/02/2015 22:03

I think its lovely and all my dc have traditional names as neither dh nor i like unusual names.
I'm passed babies now but I would consider it, honestly.
besides, at least 6 others won't answer when the teacher calls his name

Aussiemum78 · 09/02/2015 22:03

Griffin can also be shortened to Finn.

SanityClause · 09/02/2015 22:03

Never tell anyone your choice of name, until your baby is born.

Only very rude people will turn their nose up at a name when introduced to a lovely squishy newborn. (And there are such rude people, unfortunately.)

FWIW, I like your choice of name. I don't think its too "out there", at all.

Just grow a hide, and when people are rude, smile sweetly, and say, "well, that's his name - you'll get used to it, I'm sure!"

pieceofpurplesky · 09/02/2015 22:04

Love Griffyn, know a lovely adult one known as Griff. Did they say anything or was it just a look? Maybe they knew one?

sweetkitty · 09/02/2015 22:05

Totally agree never tell anyone your name choice after DD1 when people slagged off the name we never told anyone else the other threes names until the day they were born. Can't say anything when you announce baby Esmerelda Tabby Cat Zebra Cow has been born can they

Well actually they can but that's another thread.

Your baby your name choice end of!

Original poster

ParsleyCake · 09/02/2015 22:06

Thanks everyone. We told people the name because we are both quite artsy and out there in personality (the only way I can think to describe it lol) and while we love unusual names, we didn't want our baby to hate us for naming him something he was going to get tormented over in school. We made the mistake of thinking people would be able to tell us in a non hurtful way if they thought the name was unsuitable, or he would get bullied for it, but not pull faces and make mean comments simply because it wasn't to their taste. Thank you so much for your kind comments, I hate how hormonal I get over these things. When people critisize anything about the baby it makes you feel like a bad parent lol

OP posts:

Sapat · 09/02/2015 22:10

I don't like it but then I like "normal" names. I would be concerned my boy would not be cool at school and get picked on! Middle name maybe?

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