Me and DP have fallen in love with a name but nervous about telling people

[cargghhh]

We have 1 DS and when we named him we had some comments from people, mainly MIL, straight away suggesting alternatives so clearly not a fan! Most people we meet new do say "oh that's different".... but we love it and think it's a strong boy name at all ages.

We struggled LOADS in finding a girl name we liked as we are now pregnant with baby #2 (already have our boy option decided!) but we have now found one we are both completely in love with. I am however nervous of people's reactions to it again?! People mishearing us when we tell them, or not really "getting" it as a name.

I'd much rather not say the name but has anyone had this with their choice of names or know how best to deal with it?

We only told people baby's name once she arrived and MIL still said 'oh no you're joking, that's terrible'!
We also got a few slightly puzzled faces, but we love the name and really couldn't give a shit if other people don't feel the same, that's their prerogative.

If you love it, go with it. You will kick yourself forever if you drop a name you love for fear of others not being as enthusiastic.

(What's the name?!)

Yabu to not tell us the name

Do not tell anyone.

Except us. I’m dying to know now & Mumsnet is always 100% supportive of all suggestions....

We decided on DS's name before he was born, but we kept it quiet until after the birth. It was difficult but I have no regrets as we have opinionated relatives (doesn't everyone!) so I'm sure we would have had all sorts of comments. As it is we had fun letting them guess They did put pressure on so to avoid that you could white lie and say that you've narrowed it down to two or three names, want to wait and see what baby looks like and don't want to be swayed by people's reactions/opinions.

I suppose it would defeat the object to tell us the name you've chosen (boo!) but could you tell us the name of your DS?

Yep, both DD’s have unusual names. My mum is actually embarrassed of the second one and although she is a wonderful granny and dotes in the children and loves showing them off, I know she dreads it when people ask their names. If I am with her she always stops talking and looks to me. 🙈😁

I have found that other children take unusual names in their stride and don’t bat an eyelid.
People under 40 are open and ask about it.
Anyone of my mothers generation (60 years old) just don’t get it and ‘feel sorry’ for the child. With this age group they either openly say ‘oh poor child’ or similar. Or the politer ones recover quickly and day ‘ooh How unusual ‘.

Anyway nearly all my mums friends are called a variation of Sue, or Carol, Linda, val etc.
And my friends are overwhelmingly called sarah, Becky or claire.
I think it’s great that the next generations, whilst having ‘popular names’ will have much more variety.

We told everyone the names as soon as we decided as we wanted people to get used to them. But we did come under heavy pressure to change them (which we ignored because we liked them and that’s all we cared about). But if you feel it will upset you, just keep it secret until baby born. Most people will be politer then. (Apart from my mum 😉)
Congratulations on new baby

This is my tactic.

Me: were going to call her X
Random relative: really, I don't like that name
Me: tinkly laugh I don't like your children's names either so we're even

Yep. My Ds and DD have unusual names. We didn't share until they were born and named. People still said some things. Oh so can we call her......"nickname" - no that's not her name.

So poeple will ask us where you got your name from?! - which people?!

The only thing you can do is stand by it and ignore the thoughtless comments. They happen from pregnancy onwards don't they?? It's as though poeple think you're public property now.

Ds2 has an unusual name. My dm flat out said to me "people will never spell or pronounce that correctly"
This was followed by a look. She wanted to give him a horrible shortened version of his name and I flat out said no that's not his name.
I agree with others just say you haven't decided yet and don't tell anyone until baby is here.

OP, honestly, don't worry or overthink. If you and your DP love the name, go for it. However, as long as you're not entering your child for a lifetime of embarassment by giving them a name like Hashtag, and the name will see them through from childhood to adulthood...go for it. It's not up to anyone else what you choose to name your baby.

But please, do tell us the name. I love names and am very interested.