Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Nina - having second thoughts

153 replies

BornSnippy · 08/12/2019 08:16

We have called our newborn Nina which we see as a strong, fun, classic, international and sassy name.

We have had some really negative reactions which have shocked me.

What do people think of Nina? She’s not registered yet so we could change.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
halcyondays · 09/12/2019 08:52

I think it’s a lovely name. How rude of your MIL, it’s not up to to her even if she doesn’t like it.

SolitaryGrape · 09/12/2019 08:56

Unless you were planning to call your baby Opal Fruit-Storm Angela or something, it’s nothing to do with your MIL. Just repeat that you’ve made your decision and that her taste in names is not relevant to your choice.

KittyMarmalade · 09/12/2019 08:58

I think it's super - I am 45 and perceive it exactly like you. Your mother in law may have different connotations, because she's from a different era.
Ignore her. She'll come round.

Blueuggboots · 09/12/2019 09:16

To your mother in law - "her name is Nina" EVERY TIME she calls her Catherine.

HeronLanyon · 09/12/2019 09:33

Adore Catherine but that’s completely not the point. What bizarre bonkers behaviour from your mil !
Nina - have known a few. Like the name. Always think Mediterranean roots (it’s short for lots of Italian etc names).
Nina Catherine works well.
Congrats op and good luck generally with your mil who sounds a pita.

Fuiseog · 09/12/2019 09:36

I love the name Nina ❤️ I think your MIL is being AWFUL not calling her the name you chose. It beggars belief!

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/12/2019 09:38

It's a beautiful name.

DarkLikeVader · 09/12/2019 10:08

Nina is a beautiful name, I love it. Not too cutesy and works well on a baby, child or adult. I would maybe see MIL a bit less though until she learns better manners though. Or start calling her by whichever version of granny she dislikes until she gets the point!

FizzyGreenWater · 09/12/2019 10:12

It's a control thing.

Yep. It's not really about the name.

Take back the control by politely declining to have her visit the baby until she can 'remember' the baby's name.

She needs reminding that she doesn't get to be mummy here.

Mishappening · 09/12/2019 10:18

Nina is just fine.

Your MIL needs a kick up the backside. Tell her if she persists in calling your DD the wrong name then you will not be inviting her round; and that you will not stand for such rudeness. How dare she!!!???

5LeafClover · 09/12/2019 10:24

Tell her you are dropping Catherine as a middle name because she's starting to make it a thing and you no longer like it.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 09/12/2019 10:31

I don't think threatening to limit visits will give you any kind of high ground in this.

You're MIL is out of order. I'd go with telling her you're dropping the Catherine if you want to wind her up, but more a firm, "her name is Nina" from you and DH every single time.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 09/12/2019 10:33

I'd also go and register it asap so she can just deal with it.
She thinks she's in with a chance of persuading you otherwise until you do.

Paisleycountry1985 · 09/12/2019 10:36

Nina is fantastic. My youngest is Nina and everybody comments how beautiful it is. Not another in the whole school which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Sparklybaublefest · 09/12/2019 10:38

I like it

Sparklybaublefest · 09/12/2019 10:40

Always makes me think of Nina Pretty Ballerina, Abba

isitxmasyet · 09/12/2019 10:40

Do not let your MIL make you doubt yourself

It’s a beautiful strong classic sweet name

Your MIL is being incredibly rude. Very very rude.
How dare she try to change your mind and dishonour you and your baby by calling her a different name to the one her parents have lovingly and thoughtfully chosen for her

Your DH needs to stamp down on this NOW.
She calls her Nina, she stops criticising it or she stays away

Really OP, just because she is related to your DH does not mean she has carte blanche to behave appallingly and get listened to.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 09/12/2019 11:24

I really like the name Nina, but that’s not the point. The point is that you and your DH chose Nina and that’s that.

DDad took it upon himself to tell me all the horrible nicknames people could think up for DS’s name. I ignored him.

ellenpartridge · 09/12/2019 12:50

Nina is a brilliant name. Nothing wrong with it at all. Your mil is gobsmackingly rude. Congrats on baby Nina.

marmitecheesetoast · 09/12/2019 14:59

I really love it!

People can be so rude, try to ignore. Soon enough it will just be her name and no one will think twice about it!

Shoe19 · 10/12/2019 16:08

Maybe biased but my little four year is called Nina. We have only ever had positive comments about her name and it is recognised in so many countries so travels well..stick with it!

Original poster
BornSnippy · 10/12/2019 22:29

Thank you so much for all your advice. We are going to stick with Nina and will register her this week. DH has told MiL that she’s not allowed to call her by her middle name. MiL came around today and called her “little madam” all day (eg “I think Little Madam has done a poo” “Little Madam is looking hungry” etc etc).

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 10/12/2019 22:32

Time to simply cut the visits until she can have some fucking respect, I think.

VanyaHargreeves · 10/12/2019 22:35

I would repeat

"Do you mean NINA is X/Y?"

EVERY SINGLE TIME until she stops

This would make me WILD. Thanks

If you really wanted to frighten her you could say the next time you don't call her Nina will be the last time you see her until you get over yourself and give over with this nastiness

Stravapalava · 10/12/2019 22:40

I adore Nina, it's the name I'd use if I had another DD now. Nina Catherine is just beautiful.

You should start referring to your MIL as the wrong name or call her Little Madam, see how she likes it!!