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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Should we choose a different name just because many others hate it?

71 replies

JennyC520 · 26/09/2015 16:04

So, we have been thinking of names and one day the name 'Winter' popped up as a potential name for our little girl... and it just sounded right... you know the feeling?
Winter Lily -last name-
Winter being 1st name. Lily being middle name.

It just felt right for us, we looked at each other and knew we wanted that name BUT the in-laws hate it... and some friends/siblings I've spoken to are not too keen/have no opinion on it.

Should we choose another name or just pick whatever we like?
Winter isn't that awful a name is it? People are called Summer and Autumn, why not Winter?

*she'll be born in December.

OP posts:

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Floggingmolly · 26/09/2015 19:22

Well, by that reasoning you could just as easily say "Gobshite is a name if it's used as such". And it would be; but it would be almost as crap even sillier than Winter Lily.
You have to draw the line somewhere, or you get nonsense like those Australian twins called Benson and Hedges...

elQuintoConyo · 26/09/2015 19:23

Winter is lovely.

Lily is beige and meh. Everyone is called Lily these days.

I have just met a baby boy called Neptune

JawannaDrink · 26/09/2015 19:35

Its all very well saying your child your choice, pick what you like etc...but its not YOU who has to live with the name forever. Its not you who has to put up with a daft name and all the comments and looks.

Winter Lily sounds like Fabreze

SmashleyHop · 26/09/2015 19:44

I grew up with a Winter. She had a sister named Summer and Autumn. Seriously. I don't think there is anything wrong with the name. If you like something, go for it. If your child hates their name they can chose what they want to be called or change it later on if they must. My Dad hated his first name (George) so he went by his middle name his whole life.

When I was choosing a name for DD my BIL's reaction was "Oh don't pick that- she's going to have to be a real stunner to pull it off."

I didn't let him change my mind and I still love her name. Although I'm struggling to come up with something that works with it if this new bump is a girl as well!

PontyGirl · 26/09/2015 20:27

I've always loved the name Winter. Your surname would need to go very nicely to pull it off.

Vixxfacee · 26/09/2015 20:28

Really like it. Your choice no one elses.

Evenstar · 26/09/2015 20:38

I think its beautiful, pleased to see someone else who loved Shadow of the Moon. Not sure about Lily but if it goes well with your surname then you should have the name you love.

BackforGood · 26/09/2015 20:38

I wouldn't change it because the in-laws didn't like it.
However, I wouldn't use it because it's not a person's name, it's a season's name. Therefore, wherever she goes for the next 90 years, she'll have people asking her about it. Which will be a real pain.

sadsister4 · 26/09/2015 20:40

That is gorgeous. Go for it.

yogabum82 · 26/09/2015 21:23

Don't worry what the inlaws and your friends say. They'll love your baby whatever she's called and they'll come up with their own nicknames for her whatever you call her anyway!!

This is like how everyone complains about your wedding plans until they get there, then they tell you how much they love it. They're only thinking about the practicalities of it - how the name sounds not attached to a person they love dearly / how far away the wedding venue is not that their son or daughter is going to experience a wonderful love filled day of sharing their commitment to their chosen partner.

And all those comments about what will it sound like if your daughter gets a "normal" office job - 1) By the time she grows up and gets a job names like Winter will be even more accepted than they are now 2) Maybe it will encourage her into a far more interesting path in life than just working in a drab old office! LOL! 3) You'll find people just tend to accept unusual names in places of profession. If a person of a different ethnic background walked into your office with an unusual / exotic sounding name would you whisper and snigger behind her back? No, of course not. You'd accept her name and act like a grown up about it.

Name your baby girl what you feel called to. And for my two sense, I think Winter Lily is pretty. I know I would've wanted to be her friend at school! xo

mrsschu · 26/09/2015 21:38

You've asked two different questions. 1) Should you still use the name if family don't like it? In the case of Winter, why not? It's not offensive, it's not completely ludicrous as a name. 2) Is it a good/nice name? No, it sounds silly especially when used with Lily (which I like BTW), it sounds like a cheap scented candle.

ButtonMoon88 · 26/09/2015 21:42

Absolutely do not change a name if you and your partner love it- sod everyone else!!!

ButtonMoon88 · 26/09/2015 21:43

When baby is here she will be beautiful and winter will suit her better than any other name. P.s I love the nn Winnie xx

MamaLazarou · 27/09/2015 18:39

Smaugair - I'm sure baby Winter will still be able to get herself a boring job in a boring office if she tries hard.

Enkopkaffetak · 27/09/2015 22:05

I think its lovely and I have known 1 Winter who was a sweetheart so I only have positive feelings over it.

Many didn't like our ds name however now at age 13 they are used to it. Your Inlaws will get used to the name too.

RedToothBrush · 28/09/2015 09:05

I love.

Do it.

Its unusual but not really out there. Its easy to spell. Its pretty.

Yes its marmite but then lots of people (like me) who don't particularly like Amelia or Olivia the two most popular names. If you try to use a name to please other people you'll never find one and will regret it.

The in-laws WILL get used to it. Winter is likely to become a lot more popular over the next few years as it follows trends (but not too popular) so won't be that weird with her peers. It is picking up in popularity as a name (so all those people saying its not a name there seems to be a few people who disagree with you - there were 47 born in England and Wales in 2014)

ThomasRichard · 28/09/2015 09:17

I like it. It's not a horrible name that won't grow on anyone (anyone remember Slithery?!) - it's a name that will soon become completely associated with your daughter.

MrsTedCrilly · 28/09/2015 10:28

I love it... Names become people. She will suit it completely. People go on about jobs.. In decades there will be so many quirky names that it will be normal.

LibrariesGaveUsP0wer · 28/09/2015 10:31

I like Winter.

Not with Lily though. It makes her sound like a plant. I'd add another middle name - Winter Elizabeth Lily or whatever.

BondGate · 28/09/2015 10:36

Winter Lily really does sound more like a festive plant than a person's name.

TravellingHopefully12 · 28/09/2015 11:51

I think it is a gorgeous and very unusual name. Go for it.

ChocolateWombat · 28/09/2015 12:04

As someone said upthread, you are asking 2 Qs - should you change because inlaws don't like it and secondly about the name itself.

If lots of people said they didn't like a name I'd chosen, I would seriously consider if there was an issue with the name and be open to change it....but if on reflection I still thought it was a decent name I'd stick with it.....considering why lots of people don't like it and if that will have an impact on your child is worth it though, whatever you decide.

Secondly the name itself......well people seem to fall into 2 broad camps - those who want a standard, recognised name....perhaps that an accountant might have (as someone earlier out it) and others want an unusual name that accountants don't tend to have. You have to decide which you are......some of this is a class issue I'd say,up not always. Names do say a lot about you....so if you have the 'dull and ordinary' name that doesn't draw attention to you or make you stand out, you may well be from a middle class background. If you have the other, you may be more working class....or possibly upper class. Depends if you want to mark your child out as from a particular background with their name.

Interestingly 'Freakonomics' has a chapter about names and the impact of them.....while it concludes names themselves don't determine the success of people, they see a clear correlation coming out......people with odd names (and in the study, it looked at typically African-American names which marked people out as being so) are less successful. Sometimes they are rejected for interview because of their name, sometimes people are prejudiced because of class connotations.

At the end of the day, it's your choice. If you want a name which you love, and don't mind the fact that others don't like it.....do ahead.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 28/09/2015 12:41

I really like Winter but not really the combination of Winter Lily. Better than Winter Storm though I guess

I acknowledge that Winter Susan, or Winter Emily would be a bit strange though so putting a normal sounding name with Winter is tricky.

She can always change it if she hates it

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 28/09/2015 12:43

Middle names rarely get used so far better to see how it fits with your surname.

Winter L. Murphy
Winter Fortescue-Smythe

3timesascrazy · 28/09/2015 13:15

If you like it then go with it or you will regret it

My DD is Autumn with a floral middle name (its not rose), don't do it they said, you will regret it they said...
she's now a toddler and I love her name as does everyone else we know yes those who told me never to call her that, it doesn't seem unusual in the slightest amongst her nursery friends names either.

I am so glad that I went with the name we chose even though others hated it.

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