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

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

Baby names

Would you use a name you love, knowing there may be rolled eyes?

229 replies

CarTroubles · 16/09/2016 09:26

The name is Willow.

Not particularly controversial!

But I know all our families will be a bit......eye rolly. They'll think it's hippie hilariousness. Possibly think its too silly a name to lumber a child with.

They probably won't say anything much to our faces, maybe the occasional "Oh, that's........ unusual.....why Willow?" with a fixed glassy smile.

But I'm cringing at the imagined snorts of derision that will happen behind our backs. What adds to it is that we have a ugly surname that doesn't really go with it AT ALL. So I can just imagine them all going "Willow ThatSurname???? Really??"

We love love love the name. But I don't want people to laugh at us! DH doesn't give a fuck, lol. But I don't have his confidence!

OP posts:

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NoFucksImAQueen · 25/09/2016 21:00

Just realised this is an old thread with an update. Congratulations on your DD and her lovely name

NoFucksImAQueen · 25/09/2016 20:45

We had this with DS
His name is typically a girls name over here but more male in America. I love it, dh loves it but some family were rather rude.
I don't regret naming him it, it suits him down to a T.
Oh and if you hate your last name why not change it? It's very easily done by deed poll then you could have willow very cool new last name

Sunshineface123 · 25/09/2016 20:26

Think Willow is a lovely name!

0pti0na1 · 25/09/2016 19:00

Congratulations! Willow is a lovely name.

TiggyD · 25/09/2016 15:50

There's a few Willows about. Not a bad name.

Lots of girl's names are plants/flowers: Ivy, Daisy, Rose, May, Violet etc.

RustyBear · 25/09/2016 15:38

Congratulations!

CarTroubles · 25/09/2016 12:11

Thought I'd come back to update now that baby has arrived!

So we used the name - reactions have been a couple positive from younger people, the rest studiously avoiding any mention of the name rather lots of feedback about how pretty she is (I may be biased but she is!).......and a corker from MIL "Wait, isn't that the name of one of Brangelinas lot?!"

So I guess on balance we can take that! We soooo don't give a shit now anyway, lol. A gorgeous name for a gorgeous wee lass!

OP posts:

Shemozzle · 23/09/2016 08:39

Willow is well within the top 50 in the name charts. It's not at all different these days. If you get any raised eyebrows explain you wanted to choose a name that was popular and in the top 50 so she didn't stand out. Make the point that they are really quite behind the times to not realise.

Pinklily1 · 22/09/2016 15:39

Willow is a beautiful name.

I don't know why people feel the need to comment negatively on name choices once you have named the baby. If they don't like your choice they should keep their opinions to themselves as far as I'm concerned.

I can't believe people rolled their eyes at Alice! It's not exactly an out there name! It's strong and timeless.

Seekingmiracles · 21/09/2016 18:56

Lovely name. But I know what you mean.
My dad outright said 'Why'd you call her that?' when my sister had my niece!
I know he's not going to like any of the names we've got on our list for DD

Justaboy · 20/09/2016 21:21

Know a Jonathan and a Jasper both knock down to Jon and Jay!

Yolande7 · 20/09/2016 14:11

You can't please everyone. My cousin named her twins Jasper and Jonathan. One set of grandparents said:"Jasper? Beautiful. But Jonathan?". The other set said: "Jonathan. Fantastic! But Jasper?!"

Jessikita · 20/09/2016 12:35

Unless I'm directly asked an opinion I would never comment on a name choice. If I did t have anything nice to say then I wouldn't say anything.

ineedbanoffee · 20/09/2016 11:32

Yep! Craziness. But you'll always get people who do and people who don't like the name (and a few people who can't resist telling you). So go for what you love :D

Jessikita · 20/09/2016 10:47

Really? Alice? That's a "normal" name!

ineedbanoffee · 20/09/2016 09:50

Mine rolled their eyes at Alice, and told me they didn't like it but she's grown into it now.

So basically, go for the name you love. If people are going to roll their eyes at Alice, they'll roll their eyes at anything. It would be awful to pick a name you didn't love as much and STILL get silly comments from people (which you will). So go for the one you love, because at least you love it no matter what other people say!

MommaGee · 20/09/2016 01:05

Willow is a beuaotful name.

We picked an unusual name (not yoonique mind!!) and actually a very old (italian) name. I have unwittingly given him a life of correcting pronunciation but he'll cope and anyone who doesn't like it can suck it up cos he's not their baby

ElvenMoonwings · 19/09/2016 22:30

To answer the question, yes, if after a lot of thought I liked it and it was suitable for my child.

Willow is a beautiful name.

1NeedPampering · 18/09/2016 10:17

Ah - your baby's not born. Decide after the birth if it fits their personality. Also a very round little person that looks like they'll grow up to be a very round adult with podgy genes .... Hmm?
Otherwise I love Willow!

MarmiteMakesMeHappy · 18/09/2016 09:18

Flossie I am in SW Londom and also know of a few canine Willows. I wonder if you're near me. One is a Beagle...?

TheHubblesWindscreenWipers · 18/09/2016 08:24

Willow is lovely. Go for it (even if you're a Ramsbottom.)

I married a swede and ds has a very old Viking name (not Einar or Ragnar but along those lines..) There can't be more than a handful of them even here. If people have eye rolled, they've not said.

jamdonut · 18/09/2016 08:15

It's lovely and not at all eye rolling... the names of two little girls I know are, though! Can't say them directly, but think of a small fruit often used in muffins and a tiny fairy from a Disney film.
Yes, really.

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Gugglebum · 17/09/2016 21:40

If you love it most and since it is an actual bonafide name, use it. Just did one of those with my last baby and don't regret it a bit. Had her name on a list with my first daughter but nixed it because I knew there would be some ugh, really's? Since then, my family has been through some trauma and tragedy and this baby made her surprise appearance in the aftermath of all of that, and her name had grown in meaning and significance through it as well. I don't give a flying shiny poo what anyone thinks or says now. In fact I love them to dare to say something and then inform them of our reasons for the choice and watch them attempt to back track. You'd probably regret it more if you don't use it than if you do.

Momer · 17/09/2016 20:19

I had a friend who was set on calling her daughter Fleur but when she was born she changed it to something else because "She didn't look like a Fleur". Who not decide for sure once you have her?

Lieby · 17/09/2016 19:45

Willo is my gorgeous son's name. I adore it and have never ever had the slightest eye roll.

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