Baby names, keeping them quiet until birth or not.

[Chelyanne]

Just curious what everyone is doing on this front. If you have decided upon names for lo's have you already told people or keeping it a secret until birth?

We have chosen a name for this one but refusing to tell anyone until after birth. We did tell people the 1st names but kept the middle names secret until birth with our others.

Definitely keeping ours to ourselves, we haven’t officially decided but even our ideas we aren’t saying because as I found out not only is everyone (and I mean everyone!) comfortable with providing their opinion on the name, they are also happy to suggest their own to a point where it becomes annoying! My own mother is the worst, I’ve had to be quite firm in setting boundaries that I will not be discussing any names no matter ‘how unfair - I am your mother’ comments and she is not to suggest any even if she has ‘the perfect combination!’

We have a name chosen for this baby, but haven’t told anyone in real life.

We told people we were having a boy but the name was the one thing we decided we’d keep to ourselves.

Everyone always has an opinion but will be much less likely to voice it once you announce baby is here and is called xxxx.

We’ve mentioned that the middle names are family names, but again not told anyone what they will be.

Having chosen a name on which several family members had a strong opinion and shared it before birth, I wouldn't do so again.

People will be more polite if you tell them after the baby has been born and you'll have a new baby to deal with so won't care as much if they are rude about it!

We didn’t know what sex DC1 was until they were born. We’d chosen both boy and girl names and kept them to ourselves.

DC2 was a high risk pregnancy, I knew I would need loads of scans and wanted to be in control of finding out, rather than a consultant letting it slip in error. It also felt right to name them before they were born as they were so sick, and also to prepare DC1 for their new sibling.

TL:DR, I don’t know, 2 kids, did it differently both times!

Nope, never tell anyone. I doesn’t even discuss names with anyone as I couldn’t deal with the opinions!

My sister when she had her daughter was persuaded to change her choice of name... When I had ds I deliberately only told my best friend as ds had an at the time very unusual name (only 14 of that name during the year!) When I told my Mum after ds was born the phone went silent and then after much stuttering she said she'd have to get used to the name. I replied very firmly that yes she would... She has never mentioned it again....

We didn't know the sex of either baby before birth. We therefore didn't finally decide a name until baby arrived.

That said, we had shared our top boys and girls names. Both times we only had 1 top boy name so in a way we did let them know.

I'd personally keep it quite quiet if you've already announced the sex. It gives a bit of a surprise to the birth and you might change your mind once you see baby.

Definitely keep it secret, can't bear the opinions of others!

I didn’t tell anyone what I named both of my children when I was pregnant. I didn’t want others opinions, so waited until they were born to announce

Tricky. 2 years ago my cousin had a baby and they didn’t tell anyone the name. It’s not a great name and everyone is always sniggering behind their backs. Personally I’d rather know and not choose a name everyone is going to secretly hate. In this case it’s a very very posh name, not quite Tarquin but that vibe. I feel sorry for the boy as it does kind of type cast you.

Told the universe! Because for me it makes it real, gives him an identity instead of 'baby boy'. Everyone speaks of him as if he's already here. My daughter says can I hug Oscar? I love it- but each to their own.

I did tell my mum/sister my shortlist to begin with but got so much unwanted feedback that I just decided one day they weren’t getting any further info on it. We have now fully picked one, have it printed on a blanket etc and they know that but don’t know which one it is (which they hate)! I’m trying to put anyone off from even trying to guess names because I’m thinking I’ll just give it away by my reaction if they say mine! My friend is due just before me and it only hit me the other day that we have similar taste and she may well pick my name before me 🙈 don’t know what I’d do!! You couldn’t even tell anyone it had happened either

@Elderflower14

My sister when she had her daughter was persuaded to change her choice of name... When I had ds I deliberately only told my best friend as ds had an at the time very unusual name (only 14 of that name during the year!) When I told my Mum after ds was born the phone went silent and then after much stuttering she said she'd have to get used to the name. I replied very firmly that yes she would... She has never mentioned it again....

I remember the silence and awkwardness too! It was DGM though.

After DS was born she told some of the family he was first name middle name but known as middle name because she liked that better.

We got cards to middle name and I am sure some people are still confused what his real name is!

Wouldn't have dreamed of revealing plans for babies' names and also didn't find out sex. Am incredulous how many people want to spoil such wonderful surprises these days.

No we kept our top name list to ourselves and didn't actually decide on the name until they were here. We wanted to get a look at them and try the names on for size.

I would definitely keep it to yourself but don't make a big deal of it. We always just said a breezy 'oh we're not sure, we've a few to choose from so we'll decide once they're here' type thing. I think it would have felt like more of a big deal to my mum for example if we said we'd chosen it but we just weren't telling people.

Took the same attitude as the pregnancy itself. Didn't really bring the subject up but if someone asked directly if I was pregnant or what names we have chosen I would answer. Neither announced or kept it secret.

Didn't know the sex either time so it was always a X or Y. I don't think people really care that much, they are just making conversation so lying about it or refusing to say just seems like being a bit precious to me.

Looks like I'm in the minority but we have had a name picked since quite early on and will tell anyone who asks. I love people referring to her by name - like someone above said, it makes her feel like more of a real person with her own identity already which is nice.

When pregnant with my twins we had no idea what we were having, we also never told anyone our name options either (we were asked several times). A couple of weeks before they arrived I’d pinned down the names if we had 2 girls but I really struggled with boys names. Good job we ended having 2 girls 😂

We kept the name to ourselves.Plenty of people have an opinion on an unborn babies name but people rarely comment once they are here ime.Couldnt be arsed with any negativity.

We have told people our top 3 even though we are pretty sure what we are going with. I know it won't be everyone's cup of tea but luckily I'm not fussed what other people think

I don't know baby's sex but have names picked and I tell people if they ask, I don't see the big deal. I knew someone who wouldn't tell anyone what names they liked 'incase someone else STEALS it' but then again they wouldn't tell anyone else what pram they had bought either incase anybody decided to get the same one 🙄

We haven't chosen a name but I wouldn't be bothered about keeping it secret. Its only really a big deal to you and your partner, no one else cares all that much.

We have a final 2 names to choose between and haven't told anyone those. We will wait for baby to be born and see what name suits best. I also wouldn't want to name a baby before they are born and announce it to everyone as I'm a little superstitious about things like that.

Earlier on we were happy to discuss some other names that we liked and hear others suggestions, to most of which we nodded politely and said oh that's nice (whether that was true or not!). But as PPs have said people are less likely to express negative opinions on a name when baby is actually here, not that I care but I just cba with all that. Also it's nice to have some element of surprise, as in if you already know gender then the only other thing left to announce is the name.

Nope, I didn’t want anyone’s opinions.

Also, I sort of feel that nothing is a surprise anymore. Once you’ve had the gender reveal, 4D scan and told everyone the name what else is left? Everyone knows everything.

Also, you do risk changing your mind once they’re born!

When we first found out I was pregnant I had a list of names I liked which I was telling people, my MIL had a comment on each one, none of them particularly nice so when my husband suggested some different names and we both agreed on one we decided not to tell anyone as it’s the only one we both like so can’t risk anyone saying anything to put us off it lol. It’s been so hard especially not to tell my mum but now I’m 37 weeks and I’m glad we haven’t told anyone. I assume no one will say they dislike the name once he’s here, not to my face anyway 😂