Roy - as a middle name

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We’re thinking of using Roy as a middle name. This is after a close family friend of DH, who played a significant part in his upbringing.

My family hate it. You’d think we’d picked something like Adolf or Lucifer. I don’t mind it. I know how much it would mean to DH to use it. Plus it is short, easy to spell and goes with lots of first names.

Have I lost my mind? I thought the whole point of middle names was to honour someone significant?

I think it’s fine. My son’s middle name is after my lovely dad who has a dated and not currently attractive name. But that wasn’t the point, he was named after someone special.

It's fine, why on earth do your family hate it?
Anyway, it's not their call. They'll get used to it.

No one ever remembers middle names apart from the parents so call him whatever you like

I think it’s a great middle name with a lovely meaning.

Apparently “it sounds like a dog name”

Although I can’t actually recall ever coming across a dog called Roy. And DNephew is called Max, which is definitely more of a dog name than Roy.

Yes, my first dog was called Max.

My baby (not a baby) has Roy as part of his middle name.

It's like L Roy Andrew A

I like it, I say go for it x

Your baby, your choice of name. Ignore your family - it’s not their decision and this is why many people don’t share their baby’s name until they are here because so many people have a negative opinion of names.

Good thing it's not your family's choice!

It's actually really nasty of them to share that opinion, especially as the name is meaningful to you and DH.

I think it’s a great middle name, and lovely that it has such personal significance. The middle name is so rarely used, I personally think it’s the perfect way to honour someone. Your family are being very rude!

It will be my DCs middle name, boy or girl. I actually think it’s due a comeback as a first name, and I sort of love Fitzroy with nn Roy… but I’m not brave enough to use it 🤣

Things my family said about my four DC names before they were born in no particular order,
Sounds like a cats name
That's a bit posh isn't it?
Sounds like a chimney sweep
Will never be Prime Minister with a name like that
Sounds like a Harry Potter character
That's just a nick name, they need a proper name
Sounds like an old farmer
It's a bit wet
Sounds like a hippy
Sounds like a speech impediment

They've learned to love their names and have never mentioned their 'issues' again.

I think it is interesting to have some meaning behind a middle name. It is boring to have a name just because it sounds nice. If family really hate Roy, would they be happier with Royston?

Go for it. It's my dad's name and a lovely middle name

Royston is a definite no! We live too close to the town of that name to make that a feasible option. It would feel like naming a child Slough or Luton or Grantham.

Your baby, your choice but if you're wanting an honest opinion, then I agree with your family & think it's a horrible name.

Of course the point of middle names is that they have some significant meaning to parent/s - that’s always been the traditional thing, so I’m surprised the older? members of your family are against it. Can only assume they secretly wanted to be the ones honoured 🤣

First names are there for having something that just sounds nice, flows with the surname and that either fits in nicely with the childs peers or stands out (depending on the personality of the parents!). Roy is absolutely fine imo as a middle name - maybe show them some pictures/clips of the lovely Roy Dupris so they associate the name with a sexy actor instead 😀

Gosh, this is why I always tell people to never announce baby's name until they are born.

it's a perfectly fine name. In fact, my friend's grandson was named Roy, and we love that an old-fashioned name is making a comeback.

I love it ❤️

There's a brand of dog food in the US called Ol' Roy. It's sold in Walmart.

I've never come across a dog named Roy myself, but apparently Ol' Roy was the dog of the founder of Walmart.

I think it's a really nice name, and actually encountered a boy who was probably about 4 named Roy a few weeks ago. It's a lovely grandad name imo, nicer than all the Archies and Alfies and Freddies.

As a general rule, it's best not to discuss baby names with family members - some seem to believe their opinions should matter to the parents and some take it very personally that you're interested in a name that's not to their taste.

Don't be drawn into conversations on this topic with your family any more. It's sad you can't share the exciting process with them, but they're not being respectful.

Choose the name you and your H love, and announce it as a done deal when the baby is born. Tell the rellies you're sorry they feel that way if/when they object.

It's fine. Who cares if they don't like it
It's a nice way to honour a relative

Noone ever uses middle names really so who cares what they think.

I really don't like it either, which I know is daft because if I ignore the mental image it conjures up for me it's a nice sounding name. I would have the good manners to be polite and pretend to enthuse if I knew someone naming their baby Roy.

I think it's nice to use it to honour an important man in your DH's life.

If your family are American, the Walmart thing might be relevant but really as loads of people have said middle names are seldom used, so they'll get over it, just ignore them

My instant reaction was 'are you planning on giving birth to a middle aged man?? as the name I don't like it and wouldn't randomly choose it myself , but if it was important to my DH I could live with it.

Best wishes for your baby's birth xx

Are they being catty because it's DH's "side" being honoured with the middle name? I can't think of any other reason why they would be so rude.