Parents criticised our chosen baby name without knowing it was ours

[Bringbackbuffy]

We haven’t shared any of our baby name choices yet with any friends or family, but we don’t have any lists. We just have a boys name and a girls name.

My parents went on a complete rant the other day about one of our chosen names- they don’t know we’ve chosen it- a friend of theirs has just named their child that.

It was really quite hurtful to listen to, and to know they hate the name so much- but we still don’t want to change it.

I don’t really know what to do, I just wish they hadn’t been so awful

I think it's Edmund!

But names like Otis/felix/milo are really popular now.
I’m 40 so when I named my DC names such as Mia/Olivia/Lewis/Ethan were really popular as now they’re dated. It’s just swings and roundabouts.

Then don't use it OP, if that is really going to bother you.

You have to take some agency here. They didn't know you were thinking of that name, they didn't dislike it or say they disliked it to hurt you.

It get that you would rather they did like it - but that can't be helped.

I think it's Edmund or Rupert, which are both perfectly unsurprising names, but which have been a little less popular in recent generations. Maybe just conceptualise it as your parents having slightly passe taste?

I’ve never got the whole thing of “announcing” a baby name. No one actually gives a shit, I mean, some will have an opinion on names, but some parents treat it like they are announcing they have found a cure for cancer.

When we told MIL we were calling our youngest Constance, she said, “oh no, that’s like that ghastly woman in American Horror story!”

Yup, that’s exactly who I named her after, I liked her!

Boy are they going to have red faces if you have a little boy and give him your chosen name! - just stand back and laugh!!

You do you - they can hate it all they like.

Stick to your guns and use the name you have chosen if you have a boy.

Keep to your policy of not mentioning it or discussing it in advance of the birth. If your parents should comment again once your baby is born and has been given the name then just tell them that you disagree with their opinions and they will have to get used to the name whether they like it or not.

Off topic, but I love the name Constance!

So do I! She’s Connie for short.

Are you on the wrong thread? 😂

I wouldn’t mind Felix or Milo, but I still think Otis is bloody awful!

I doubt anyone had ever heard of it until Otis Redding (too long ago for many of you lot.)

Slightly different answer Op, but it never hurts to have another name in mind as well as your first choice.
Sometimes when your baby is actually here they just don’t look like the name you first decided on.

I’d tell them you heard them discussing the name and it gave you the idea 😂 Ralph and Edward are fine. I liked Rupert but my DH didn’t! When you’re pregnant these things are big deal but honestly when your kid is 6 you won’t even remember who you told or when!!!

It’s Rupert isn’t it

😆

@Bringbackbuffy not only do the entire baby name board, my mother, my in laws, Katie Hopkins and I imagine everyone else on the planet hate my weird or dated or chavvy baby names, I can assure you as they’ve aged they’re still lovely to me, they love their names, they haven’t ever been ridiculed or abused, no opportunities have passed them by and nothing has ever been said negatively to them, in fact one of my sons fil was convinced would be bullied because of a character from emmerdale (I think, maybe be corrie) isn’t even the only one who has his name in his year.

I suppose it depends if you trust their tastes. If this was my parents, I would one hundred percent take their opinion on board and change the name. However if it was my in-laws, who have terrible taste, I wouldn’t give a shit.

I think so!
Or Edmund.

That was my mum's name!

I think for my generation it was Otis the aardvark!

but sittin on the dock of a bay is actually one of my favourite songs! 😂

There was that Milo and Otis movie about dogs.

Pronounced Spud-ooo-lik-ay.

You’d change the name you like and chosen because your parents don’t like it?? How about you trust your own tastes?

Funnily enough I know an Otis who looks just like Otis the aardvaark. His mum looks exactly like it.

But you clearly don’t care about their opinion or you’d be thinking of another name.

It’s silly to be hurt over this. All it means is that you have different taste in names. They will love your baby even if they don’t like the name you chose.