If you posted a baby name on here asking for opinions and...

[seeker]

you got nearly 200 responses and only 2 people liked it and all the others had negative associations with the name, would you change your mind about using it, or would you assume that the 198 people were wrong and the 2 were right?

[diedandgonetodevon]

If I loved the name, I'd use it. But then I would never ask for a random bunch of strangers input on my name choices.

[seeker]

Absolutely it's a matter of taste. But if it's a matter of taste where the HUGE majority is on one side, wouldn't you think that the HUGE majority of people who are going to meet the child during his life are going to be of the majority opinion, and it might make life even a little bit more difficult for the child? I am all in favour of smoothing their lives as much as I can.

My ds adores sprouts, but I know that 99 children out of a 100 don't, so I don't serve them to his little friends when they come to tea

[bronze]

Cooch I think it depends how you asked it. The first thing I thought of was the softie from the beano I didnt have anythign else tolatch ont to but if you had introduced me to your baby Walter it wouldn't have been my first thought as I would have had your baby to concentrate on.

[MrsWeasley]

I'd use it if I liked it. Infact no-one liked DS's name but I did so used it. Don't regret it at all.

One lady once laughed and asked if he was named after a purple dinosaur? (She was showing off to a crowd and didnt realise I could hear!) I replied "No Dear, the purple dinosaur is Barney, my DS was names after a little fluffy bear from a TV show I watched as a child but I expect you were already working". First time this lady has ever been speechless, first time I have ever been brave enough to say something out loud. She always says good morning to be now.

[SobranieCocktail]

seeker - no, I wouldn't change it. In fact I've actively crossed off a few names for DC3 because they have met with a resounding seal of approval on the MN and I couldn't bear for my DC to have a really popular name. Also there are certain posters on here who are quite "vocal" about unusual names, so my first reaction to seeing their criticism is "yadda yadda yadda"...I know I will never find common ground with them, and frankly would be put off a name if they said they liked it!

[lastboxoftampons]

It depends on why you posted in the first place. If you posted because you weren't sure about it yourself, then maybe an overwhelming No might sway your feelings. But if you were pretty sure about the name when you posted (which I probably wouldn't have done because, as somoene else said, Why post your choice for people to simply tear apart) then I'd stick with it.

[chandellina]

i did change my mind, even though I'd been thinking about it for years. Graham just wasn't meant to be this time around, but I'd still consider it if we had a DS2.

[ilovesprouts]

i once posterd my kids names on here and i got a load of piss took out of me but i called em what i wanterd to and i could not of give a rats arse what ppl thought as long as you like em thats all that matters

[othersideofchannel]

As others have said earlier, names come to represent the people they are given to, not the other way round.

I rather use these threads to eliminate popular names that everyone loves - I have a very common name and hated it in school...

Also, without knowing a poster's taste/style, their comments don't mean that much imo. As others have said there are some very vocal posters that seem to hate names that I love (and love names that I hate ), so I would hope for them to dislike my choices.

[Leannabanana]

i agree with sobraniecocktail that there are a select few MN who always seems to post negatively about names regardless of what they are and if i ever see a post by them i tend to mentally ignore it straightaway....people that say that names make them 'snigger' and the like....so unnecessary IMO...but if you need to test your name out on MN before real life then i guess you have to be prepared for negativity - don't let it put you off your chosen name if you really love it - its all about context really, names in one place are totally fine yet in another sound odd....swings and roundabouts i guess...

[hulabula]

As names are a matter of taste and views on names very much influenced by personal experiences (who they've happened to have met with that name), responses will always be so subjective and personal.

Agree with poster who said that names come to represent the people they are given to (and not the other way round).

So, no, I wouldn't change my mind if I loved a name!

[hulabula]

And, seeker, the 2 posters are not right and the 198 are not wrong. There is no right or wrong name!

[branflake81]

Surely you should be happy if not many people like it? that means your child will have a more unique name. isn't that what everyone seems to want on this board?

[fizzpops]

The trouble is if you are one of the 2 who like do you choose a name instead that the 198 like but that you are not as keen on?

Choose a name you love - if you want to check for unfortunate nicknames/ initials/ associations then post about that.

People disagreeing with me always makes me dig my heels in more. And although I agree that people do judge on names I think that on a CV for example it could work in your favour. No-one will discount someone purely because of a name unless they are really shallow and they may acquire a different view of a name once they see it attached to an intelligent person. The person in question will at least be memorable!

[lunamoon2]

If you really like it then I think I would go for it.

However bear in mind that on initially meeting your child the vast majority of people will be in the " you are called what??!!!!" group.
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