Would you tell a family member that the name they are picking is ridiculous ?

[Elsahappy3]

I feel like it's not my place but at the same time I feel sorry for my future niece. One of my sister had a gender reveal party and announced the baby's name. They were so excited but the name is proper ridiculous. Is it my place to say something ?

Mercedes isn't uncommon in London,I've heard it a few times in schools.

I dislike it immensely, and hate the possible nn, jag/jags/jiggy

However unless you are asked to give your opinion directly then no don’t say anything. They may well have exhausted all other options and that’s the only name the parents agree on. Or they may have always wanted to use that name.
I’m a CM, I’ve heard worse!

Anyone remember the post about the nephew whose name was Macbeth?

That’s absolutely dreadful. Hope she’s joking!

Poor kid.

Yes it is a silly name, but no keep out of it.

I don’t think it’s that bad.

Mercedes is a common name in Spain. It means 'mercy' in Spanish.

Mercedes actually is a Spanish girls' name though RageAgainstTheVendingMachine

What will she shorten Jaguar to, to make it sound less silly?

Small children do accept any name. Teens will us it to bully if they're going to bully her - but if she's a bullying target then even if her name was Olivia she'd get bullied, just about being thin/fat/ tall/short/ having a "weird" laugh/ smile/ nose/ left elbow... It would be an easy hook for bullying but if she's not a natural target nobody will say anything to her directly... Doesn't mean that people who don't know her won't snigger or eye roll... She'll be fine despite not because of her name, if that's her name...

Not much point saying unless she tends to listen to you and take your advice generally though...

I met a grandmother yesterday who called her grandson Tim because "his mother gave him a ridiculous name" - turned out the "ridiculous name" was Leonardo - wtf didn't she call him Leon or Leo if she found Leonardo ridiculous... I asked her and she said it's not normal...

People are weird, but Jaguar is a species not a forename...

The child is a girl?

In current school nicknaming style she will probably be called J by friends.

And, PP, Mercedes is a usual Spanish name.

Jags is an OK nickname.

It could be worse.

You can’t use the word ‘ridiculous ‘, but you could say ‘wow, that’s quite out there!’ And ‘I hope no one will make catty remarks’ boom tish.

Anyway, you’ve said the name now and the Daily Mail will probably do the job for you.

Mercedes is an actual name though, I think the car was named after a girl.
Jaguar is horrible, I'd have to say something but in a softly softly way in case it made them dig their heels in over it.

I am aware of its origins, but this Mercedes in broad manc accent proudly told me she was named after the car, Miss! She wasn't joking

The kids I met weren't Spanish either.

Hideous. What the fuck is wrong with people?

Teasing will be bad enough but would you interview someone named Jaguar? I've read lots on how names affect ones ability to find a job and Jaguar seems to me to be a great example of a shit name that could easily deter potential employers.

Jaguar as a name for a person has lifetime implications. Tell her to pick again and save her DD a lifetime of shame.

I wouldn't say anything but I'd struggle to say something positive. It also sounds like a boys name and an odd one at that. It doesn't go with Lilly either. However, I've had my time at picking names so I focus on smiling and finding a neutral comment and hoping when she is born they realise she isn't a cat.

Actually I quite like it. At least it is unusual. I thought Tiger and Phoenix were odd at first but they seem mainstream now. I think the hyphen with Lily doesn’t really work though.

It’s their kid, they are adults and can make up their own minds. Your view doesn’t trump theirs.

My first rhought was it's surely a boy's name. My second thought was it's not a bloody name at all! Unless of course you're an actual jaguar.

It is awful. The only thing I can think of to suggest is that you mention it’s quite out there so why doesn’t your sister go to Starbucks, order a drink and give it as her name.
Then if she still loves it after it’s been called out and everyone in the vicinity turns around with WTF looks on their faces then she can crack on

Mercedes was the name of of one of the people behind the Benz cars.

It’s not my taste but I really wouldn’t say anything. We wouldn’t discuss any of the names we liked for our son as I didn’t want anybody putting me off. Choosing names is very personal so it’s not worth falling out over. To be honest they might change their minds.

Were they going for Tiger-Lily and got the wrong big cat?

I wouldn't say anything negative, as it's their choice of name, even if it is absolutely bloody pretentious and way up there in the outer zones of naffness.

I would ask why they chose that particular name. It's maybe got a special meaning for them both.

It’s their choice. Maybe say something about it being unusual, but not that it’s ridiculous.

My sil called her child a shockingly bad name. We all told her it was bad. It was the dads name followed by junior. It was awful. Anyway, they shortened it to initials and it suits him. Shame the dad turned out to be an abusive alcoholic who is only allowed to see his children in a contact center

Rachelover40 hmm Mustang

Mustang-Sally. Has a nice ring to it.