Would you use the name everyone hates?

[NavyBerry]

So me and DH chose a name for our DD. It is English, classic, old, probably posh. I don't know anyone with the name and neither does my husband. We like the meaning, the sound of it and the diminutives. It goes well with the surname and our names. I don't want to say it but it is smth like Verity or Lavinia. Quite rare.
His family was very rough critisizing it, mine is being even worse. Anyone who we mention it to says how awful it is. I'm not getting it. There is no valid reason for such rude reaction apart from people not having heard of it much. I don't know what to do. We have already got used to it but are we ruining our baby's life? Have you been in a similar situation? I'm under the impression that you can meet a child with any name nowadays and our choice will hardly be a shock

There is nothing 'wrong' with Araminta

Just because it isn't to someone else's taste that doesn't give them the right to be rude

If it is your preferred name then please go ahead and use it and ask your family to keep their opinions to themselves

Araminta is a gorgeous name, take no notice of your families' comments it is nothing to do with them. We had similar - although after he was born - as DS' name is in a very similar vein, traditional, unusual, a bit posh...my dad joked (in a nice way) that "he sounds like he owns half of Wiltshire", but other family members were less kind and some were bl**dy rude.

The name suits DS perfectly and I am so glad we stuck with it, so don't allow yourself to be pushed about, your baby your decision and everyone will get used to it once she's here.

Great name with a big variety of short versions. They'll get used to it.

Araminta is perfectly good name. Not unusual to me as once had odd situation of working a team of three where both the other women were called 'Minty' - and of course both equally irritated at for once in their life not being the only Minty in the room!

All well and good you using the full version, but remember you can't control nicknames and she will undoubtedly be Minty (which is lovely) amongst friends. I expect family will end up doing this too if not a fan of Araminta in full.

I like it, it’s not really out there at all? Your family members had/will have their own kids and get to decide on the names. This is your child and so I’d tell them quite frankly to bugger off.

I like Ari as a short version too

It is a name that stands out - but not in a negative way, I don't think. People will think "ooh, that's posh/fancy/frilly", but I don't think many people would think it was unpleasant. I do think "Minty" is inevitable.

(I know you weren't asking for an opinion on the name, but it does factor into whether or not your family have a point!)

I think it's lovely! I have a cousin called Araminta - she's a minty too.

I think Araminta is fine OP. It's easy to spell and pronounce compared to something like Lalage or StJohn if you haven't encountered them before.

I wouldn't worry about it being unusual as it's an actual name. I have an unusual name (Welsh, in England) and although I do get some eh? comments I mostly get compliments. Although some of the misspellings are spectacular

Thank you for opinions! Quite reassuring. TBH I don't mind Minty. I even find it sweet for a little baby. When older she could use any other or just use the full name.

My brother is called the same name as the springy thing in the magic roundabout, I imagine it raised some eyebrows at first, but now there is literally no other name for him, people really like it. People just have to get used to names that they’ve not heard of before

Ar/amin/ta is lovely op! Your family are being silly.

Tabitha is gorgeous too and quite popular. Nothing weird about it these days at all.

I think it's pretty

I'm a forinner and never heard your name before or have any associations with it but to me it sounds really nice, OP.

I think its awful, sorry

If a few people didn't like it, its them. If everyone hates it, its the name.

I wouldn't have said it to your face, but I'm with them. Hideous name. Conjures up 80's sloan rangers in pearls and headbands, braying about horse trials and ski chalets.

Not keen, but it's your choice.

This is why I won’t tell anyone mine til he’s born.... people will be less rude with a baby in front of them. My mum is going to HATE mine!!!

As it happens, I think that is a perfectly fine name.

Great diminutives, too - Ari, Minnie, Minty.

As you say, it isn't made up, spelled in a yoonique way, no inherent issues with the name, I can see why someone would love it.

Whatever associations and prejudices people have about a name in the end it is the name of the child or adult in front of them. Not a braying, skiiing, horsey Sloane. Same with snobbery (rather than reverse snobbery) about other types of names. Including those I have listed above - made up etc. You see the child or person in front of you. But maybe easier if they don't have to go through life explaining the spelling or pronounciation.

Araminta is glorious. Seems to mean prayer and protection. I've known two in my lifetime. Go for it. Add another couple of names so she can choose later on.

I like it. I don’t think it’s going to scar your daughter for life. If you like it, go for it.
I find it really bizarre other people would have such strong opinions about it. It never occurred to me to not tell my family the name I’d picked for my son. They all liked the name.

The golden rule when choosing a name for a child, is not to tell anyone until the baby is born. Someone will always have an opinion, take umbrage, say you can't use whatever, as it's the name of an old boy/ girlfriend of Aunty Gladys and she'll be offended.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I think there should be a health warning on POAS boxes warning parents to be NOT to discuss possible names with anyone other than the other parent (and in rare circumstances,not even then)

I've never heard that name before OP but it is seriously gorgeous. Ignore them!

When choosing names it's important to choose one that others won't pick on them for having. My Nana gave my uncle an usual name that can be used for men and women, he got bullied something awful about it making his childhood utter hell to the point he tried to jump out of a second floor window when he was 13. If your child is going to go to private schools throughout their life then the name probably won't stick out so much but if they will be going to the local comp then it may and could result in bullying. Having a daughter myself I have realised how she loves to buy things with her name on, from drinks bottles to Xmas decorations which I can always find for her but her best friend has an unusual name and I can never find anything with it on, which as an adult isn't a huge thing but as a 4 year old girl it's the end of the world. Personally I don't like the shortened version of Minty which she is bound to get called, as a child that grew up on a farm that was usually a name we gave our pet lamb.

@NavyBerry it really puts a dampener on things doesn't it?

I haven't heard the name Araminta before, and it's certainly not in any way offensive? I honestly wouldn't bat an eyelid if I met one at a baby group. It's nice hearing different names! Wouldn't life be boring if every single baby was either Oliver/Olivia?

Thanks for the nice comments about Tabitha. It's a divisive name, unfortunately it seems everyone I know is in the hate it camp