Hate DD’s planned baby name. Is it ever ok to say that?

[Giggsie]

I expect the answer is to keep quiet but I fear by future grandchild will be teased mercilessly.

yes I would say something. that's a desperate name to give a child

I guess it depends on your relationship. My mum isn't a big fan of my kids' names or the fact that they have middle names and tells me so once in a while (not in front of the kids). It's a bit annoying but I don't mind too much. In my family we tell each other when we don't like something and beyond a bit of annoyance (and in turn I do tell them how annoying they are) it doesn't really affect our relationship. To be honest I can't imagine any of my family members holding back with their opinion because they think I wouldn't forgive them or because they think something isn't any of their business.

Having said that I think that Io is actually quite nice.

Didn't know/forgotten rapey connection. I'd have assumed Jupiter's moon. There are so many unusual names for children now, that she may not stand out as much as you fear OP.

Having said that I think that Io is actually quite nice.

Agree

Nah, she'll get called lozz or lozzer

Also, if they want a longer Greek name they could call her Iolanthe to give Io for short.

(She wouldn’t have to be a fairy, though 😂)

It's terrible. And the myth it comes from is terrible. Ok I know Phaedra, Antigone, Jocasta, Eurydice , Daphne and Dido didn't have a great time either but Io is worse.

I’d have to say something. It’s pretentious at best. Poor kid will be faced with a lifetime of people completely confused by her silly name.

Or maybe Hey Ho ! Actually.
OP I rather like the name, it makes me think of Ngaio Marsh the author. I would not like a rape association though, for my daughter.

My ex called his boat Io.

When he registered it, the registration document labelled it 10.

In answer to the question of whether it's OK to say anything, I personally think that if there's something significant about the name that they might not have noticed, it's OK to tactfully point it out. They're likely to get defensive, though.

A relative of mine (let's call her Laura), has chosen names with "creative" spellings for her own kids. Her second DD will be spelling out her name everywhere she goes, for her whole life. As someone with an unusual name myself, I would have liked for her to be spared that annoyance. Laura won't have experienced this herself.

Laura's mum did say, "how about spelling it [usual spelling]?" But Laura was clearly annoyed and gave a huffy response that she and her partner both preferred the spelling they had chosen invented. So, for the sake of family harmony, no more was said. Poor Emmely.

I think Io is a great name.

Who cares about nick names?

Lo; "ten"; Io addio; Io, Io, it's off to work we go. Great scope...

This. Perhaps you could gently drop in to suggestions.

Did your DD have a name that can be shortened? You could mention how it's nice for child to get some choice over shortening/nickname.

I might also do the 'as in Old MacDonald ' in a jokey way and see if it's enough to put them off without outright saying 'i hate it'.

Not one I'd choose but Io is a perfectly okay name to choose. If they like that sound, Cleo would also be a good option.

Gosh, maybe try to persuade her towards Persephone or Clio or something similar!

If it’s pronounced ‘eye-oh’ then how about if she spelt it Ayo instead? I know a girl of that name. Would avoid the i v L confusion.

I'd pronounce Ayo with an A sound, like the letter, rather than the letter I sound.

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Zeus%27s_Lovers/Io/io.html

I really think reducing a fairly substantial mythological character to being defined as a woman Zeus raped is quite misogynistic.
An awful lot of the stories about women in Greek mythology include them being raped or kidnapped or married their brothers, but that aspect usually doesn't define the name or indeed the mythological character.

Honestly most names could be cast disparagingly if a person chose to pick a negative meaning/ look for a fictional or historical character with the name who did something bad or experienced something bad.

Ooh, I like that! I have un unusual name, hated it as a kid but love it as an adult. Good ice breaker. My name actually came up on an usual name thread and someone called it awful 😬

It is the word for 'yes' in Tongan - not sure if that helps! I have unusual names for my children and got quite a bit of flak at times (my brother-in-law even stated he 'would never employ anyone with that name') but soon enough babies grow into their names and the names become 'normal' within the family at least.

And then turned into a heifer.

There are so many lovely names, Phaedra, Antigone, Jocasta, Callisto, Calypso, Dido, Ariadne, Artemis, Electra, Demeter, Persephone, Pandora

Oh, that’s bad

I know someone with a name pronounced the same but spelt Ayo. Maybe this would be a less confusing option than Io if you think she would take kindly to suggstions? I don't think it sounds that bad but it looks horrid written that way.

Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and forced into a marriage and living part of her life underground against her will. Not much difference surely?

Good idea. Or how about 'Hera' - I mean, if you're into Greek mythology, might as well go for boss goddess not the OW. (tongue in cheek)

I love the name Io. DH had one in his class once (teacher) and we both said how lovely it was. Babies become the name they are - you’ll get used to it!

I said to DH that she would have learnt to write her name quicker than everyone else too…