Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Is it really that 'wierd'?

63 replies

kayzr · 03/02/2008 09:24

Dh and I are thinking of ttc #2 this year. When dh told mil that we were thinking of Imogen if we have a girl she said "cant you think of any names that aren't wierd"
Ds is called Freddie and 10 months on she still says couldn't you have called him something normal.
Are Imogen and Freddie that wierd?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LadyVictorianSqualor · 03/02/2008 10:34

That's the way it goes though isnt it! When I named DD Ella over 7 years ago it wasnt common, but now theres one in every street.

alfiesbabe · 03/02/2008 11:45

Imogen is beautiful, and definitely not weird - I know quite a few.

3andnomore · 03/02/2008 11:47

Imogen is a gorgeous name
Freddy is not to my taste, but not a weird name at all...
what is it with Inlaws, lol...juswt ignore your mil

ThreeBluecubs · 03/02/2008 12:16

I think sometimes the older generation who don't have much exposure to young children get a bit out of touch with what names are current. She's probably thinking along the lines of Pauline or Susan (no offence to any Paulines or Susans out there).

Original poster

kayzr · 03/02/2008 12:20

She said to dh that children are not pets and they should be given normal names. I think she thinks we're going to call our next dc Fido or something

OP posts:

spinspinsugar · 03/02/2008 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cory · 03/02/2008 14:46

Your MIL seems unaware of the fact that fashion in names changes. Imogen and Freddie are normal names today, though 30 years ago, they would indeed have been unusual. These days John is much more likely to get a raised eyebrow. Another 30 years and no doubt we will be back to the Johns and Michaels and Alisons.

RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 03/02/2008 14:48

I was just thinking yesterday how much I liked the name Imogen. My ILs hate all our DDs names, so we made sure we told NOBODY what we were planning to call them until they were already born. MIL still managed to make some snotty remark about how nice all their MIDDLE names were though.

Fimbo · 03/02/2008 14:53

Imogen is a lovely name.

I think its the older generation thing - my mother still thinks we should have given ds the middle name of Brian after my father

MAMAZON · 03/02/2008 14:55

adore the name freddie and dd's friend is called Imogen and its a very pretty name.

whats MIL's name, start a convo about baby names and say that someone wanted to call their child (insert mils name) and say how silly it was as its such a dull/old fashioned/stereotypical name

see how she likes it

Original poster

kayzr · 03/02/2008 15:36

MIL's name is Pamela.
Im saying nothing more

OP posts:

cupsoftea · 03/02/2008 15:37

lovely names

calzone · 03/02/2008 15:40

Tell your DH that you have gone off Imogen and have decided on Deidre after an Aunt on your side!

She will soon love Imogen.

I love that name and am trying to persuade any of my 3 SILs to go for that name if they have a girl!

Original poster

kayzr · 03/02/2008 17:38

Now my mum doesn't like Imogen. She thinks we should call her Flossie if we have dd so we have Freddie and Flossie.

OP posts:

RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 03/02/2008 17:51

She's a Bobbsey Twins fan then, I take it!

lennygrrl · 03/02/2008 17:58

Message withdrawn

chipmonkey · 03/02/2008 18:56

I'm with lennygrrl! Tell her it's Poncytina for a girl! Lovely name made up by someone on MN, can't remember who!

lennygrrl · 03/02/2008 19:07

Message withdrawn

Alishanty · 03/02/2008 20:32

My sister is called Imogen. I have never thought of it as a 'weird' name. It's a bit more popular I think now than it was when my sister was named but as someone else said, a classic, normal name. Freddie is fine too. I don't know what she's on about.

madamez · 03/02/2008 20:35

A Kayleigh! Gosh I now know exactly how old you are and what your parents were into music wise

Original poster

kayzr · 03/02/2008 20:35

We were looking through our baby name book today and dh was picking out some really wierd names like Theodora and Gertrude.
Most helpful

OP posts:

Asgoodas · 03/02/2008 20:36

I teach an Imogen and she is a beautiful person

Original poster

kayzr · 03/02/2008 20:36

Yes Madamez. Loads of people when I first meet them ask if I'm named after a song

OP posts:

aquababe · 03/02/2008 20:37

think your mil needs to get out abit more if she think imogen is wierd.

it's not like your thinking of calling her 'Champagne' or 'Chardonay'

I like imogen

Housemum · 03/02/2008 20:39

The lesson to learn is don't tell anyone what name you're considering - if you wait until you have the baby, then proudly announce the safe arrival of Frogmella, they'll just go "aaahhh". (Of course they may stil make comments behind your back, but somehow people only ever say it to your face if you haven't actually named the child yet, perhaps they think they'll be the one to change your mind)

I called DD3 Amelie, and people struggle with it - I didn't think it was weird, but people call her Amelia or Emily. We like the nickname of Millie anyway - she may end up being called Millie sooner than we anticipated as no-one seems to get it right anyway! We have even heard it pronounced Amy-Lee. (She's only 4 weeks old, we have years of this ahead....)

Flip

1 2 3