I hate my friend's choice of name. Do I tell her?

[mollpop]

Ok. I have a friend who has recently given birth to a beautiful baby boy. She's thinking of calling him Miller and asked me what I think. Do I tell her (in a tactful way)? FWIW I think it's a dreadful name.

My sister tells me when she loves a name and usually says something like ‘not my style but anything you choose will become them’ when she hates one

So I’d just do that

It depends on your friendship really, if you are really close and you have a very honest relationship, as she has asked your opinion, I think it’s ok to be honest, but like others have said, in a tactful way...remember she is hormonal.
You could say - it’s ok but what are the other options?

She asked you, and presumably you said ‘Hang on’ and posted on Mn? Is she sitting opposite you waiting?

I don’t care for ‘Miller’ myself, but I dislike the perennially popular George just as much.

I quite like it

All these people thinking it’s rude to respond honestly to a question you’re directly asked - f me no wonder life is bloody exhausting with autism - how about you’re the unreasonable ones asking stupid questions you don’t want honest answers to?

She is your friend. Why would you do that? Keep quiet least said soonest mended.

Not unless you want her to be an ex-friend! Find a tactful way to not say yes.

"Well, I wouldn't choose it myself as it sounds more like a surname to me, but it doesn't matter what I think, if you love it."

That's pretty much all you need to say.

FWIW I know a Miller, it's suited him at every age, and in no way sounds like a surname. It's just his name.

"What's it got to do with you?"

"Her friend asked her opinion"

Yes, bit she doesn't actually want someone to say they don't like it.

It's bit like how you

Its bloody awful.

But probably best not to tell her.

I don't feel strongly about almost any name that has people frothing. It would have to be truly terrible and even then I wouldn't say anything. Miller is fine.

I’d say, well if you like it go for it.... what I say about most things I hate.

If you laughed when she said it presumably she already knows how you feel about it!!

Did she ask for your opinion in passing or was it a real question? If I'm not sure what they want I always say back to friends, do you want me to just say it's nice (/agree with you depending on situation) or would you like a genuine opinion? If you really really want to tell her your opinion and you are absolutely certain she wants it I would give a reason such as, "oh names are so personal aren't they - for some reason I haven't ever really taken to "surname names" in general, so Miller isn't one I would have thought of, but I also know that once you know a baby with a certain name it always grows on you" or something

Yes, if you laughed when she told you, ten she probably knows you don't like her name choice.

Personally I think it's great that we all have different tastes and choose different names for our kids!

Go with a tactful truth - 'I'm not really one that likes this trend for surnames as first names but I know that lots of people do - they probably don't like my name choices. But the important thing is that you like the name and feel that it fits your baby. Once the baby is here/once we've all met him and are used to calling him that we won't be able to think of him as anything else. What nickname do you think you'll go for?

I called one of mine an unusual name and the amount of shit I took was unreal
My baby-my choice
I really didn’t give a monkeys what anyone thought but the comments hurt (and the names these women came up with instead where crap)
He’s now almost 16 and nobody bats an eyelid at it
He also loves his name and he suits it-nothing else matters

Tactful truth around what your exact reasons are.

I will always here Miller said by David Tenant. “Miller!”

It’s no worse than Mason or Carter.

I agree that Mason and Carter are equally dreadful

Names are a personal choice. I think it'd be unnecessary and rude for you to
say you don't like it. She's probably thought long and hard about the name and is excited to use it. Why tell her it's not your taste? You'll soon get used to the name and probably grow to like it. Also Miller Is one of those names that's rising in popularity. It probably seems a bit out there to some now, but may well not in the next few years.

Tell her you'd be worried about the nickname Windy

And Carter is an unstoppable sex machine surely

There are worse names imo. Just say something along the lines of it not being your choice or it's different, and leave it at that.

Just say, “Welllll...I’m not overly sold on surnames as first names but that’s just me. If you like it, go for it.”

Miller isn’t absolutely awful or anything. It’s...meh. A bit nonsensical (to me) but not dreadful.

I’m not keen on Mason or Carter or any of those either. But taste is subjective and those sort of names are acceptable.

One of our friends recently gave their baby a name that is so awful and so unique, I'd be outing myself by sharing it with you. I would just say that you don't like it personally but that doesn't mean she shouldn't choose it.

He won’t get the nickname ‘Windy’ because he will not attend school with a bunch of 55 yr olds.
Camberwick Green isn’t a thing any more.
Plus, with all the McKenzies, Porters, Carter’s and Masons around, no one will take the blindest bit of notice of Miller.