What do I say to someone who calls our traditional baby name "boring?"

mattandlora

DH and I have had 2 different people (who don't know each other) call our children's names "boring." This is because we gave them traditional names and spelled them correctly. These 2 critics both gave their kids absolutely bizarre names. I can't even post the names here because you'd be able to find them. That's how crazy the names are.

I want to formulate *just* the right response to this situation when it comes up again. I want a response which sounds polite to the casual observer, but is a direct, veiled insult to the person making the remark whose kids have crazy names. Is that the polite thing to do? No, no it is not. I may or may not end up saying it (depending on how well I know the person). But just to have the comeback handy so I can say it in my head.........Yes, that would be nice. MWAHAHAA.

Frogger5

How about, "We prefer to think they are 'classic.' We were thinking about their futures. We want them to be respected as adults, and not sound ridiculous to possible employers." Hmm, maybe not insulting/direct enough!

LoveIsOwlYouNeed

How about "I guess some people like classic names that will be respected well into adulthood and some people want to saddle their children with bizarre names that make people question their parents' decision-making skills.  To each their own, huh?"

Or "Well since their OUR kids, it doesn't really matter what YOU think of their names, right?  I mean I didn't say anything when you seriously named your kid _________."

Or "Let's take a poll: hey total stranger what do you think Classic name or Bizarre name" and see what most people say...

bbiutmcph

I'm very snarky IRL however I have realized people that choose to name their child Jaxxscon Danger can not be reasoned with. Most of the time it's like having a discussion with a tween who basically only hears what they want and refuses to think or listen to anything outside of what they want to hear. So when people say things like that I just ignore, reply with a simple well we are confident in our choice or simply change the subject. Otherwise you might as well bang your head against the wall. Logic and even sarcasm are often lost in these situations.

mattandlora

bbiutmcph said:

I'm very snarky IRL however I have realized people that choose to name their child Jaxxscon Danger can not be reasoned with. Most of the time it's like having a discussion with a tween who basically only hears what they want and refuses to think or listen to anything outside of what they want to hear. So when people say things like that I just ignore, reply with a simple well we are confident in our choice or simply change the subject. Otherwise you might as well bang your head against the wall. Logic and even sarcasm are often lost in these situations.

Oh so true,
unfortunately. ...

hey&june

You could say that some of the most interesting and successful people have the most traditional "boring" names, and it is no coincidence. Starting out with a clean slate, so to speak, makes it easier to succeed than being saddled with a name people have to figure out. Look at everyone from politicians to celebrities. Normal "boring" names = most likely to succeed. I know that isn't always the case, but there is plenty of data out there to prove that point.

Jennifer  - Lopez, Garner, Aniston, Lawrence, Hudson, Love Hewitt

Kate - Upton, Middleton, Winslet, Hudson, Beckinsale, Walsh, Moss, Bosworth, Mara, Capshaw

Tom - Cruise, Selleck, Brady, Hanks, Hiddleston, Felton

John - Kennedy, Krasinski, Lennon, Stamos, Legend, Mayer, Adams, Rockefeller, Belushi, (johnny) Depp

Jack - Johnson, Black, Nicholson, Nicklaus

Brad - Pitt, Cooper, Paisley, Garrett

Will/William - Smith, Ferrell, I AM (haha), Rogers, Prince William, Shatner, Faulkner, McKinley, Henry Harrison

Ben - Affleck, Stiller, Savage, Roethlisberger, Carson, Kingsley, Stein, Folds

Matt - Leblanc, Damon, Dillon, Lauer

Ed - Sheeran, Westwick, Helms, Asner, Harris, Sullivan, McMahon

I could go on all day. I wonder how all those people managed to succeed with such boring names. I'm not saying their "boring" names led to their success, certainly some degree of talent played a role, but I am saying their names didn't stand in their way (and some of those mentioned changed their name to make it appealing and simple ). People choosing a name to make their child stand out often forget that what makes you stand out is, well...you. Trying too hard with the name can just give your child a label that says "ridiculous" before they even have a chance.

magsugar13

"I prefer classic and boring over made up and trashy" "I know my names will stand up through time"
"I prefer classy and elegant, over teen mom names"
" really you think classic is boring? Funny I think trendy is trashy"
" you mean boring like spelled correctly and not made up? Yep that was my goal, thanks for the compliment"
" you really don't want to go there do you?

MWoodside

I would probably blurt out, "wow! that's rude!"

But to answer your question, maybe something like, "We really don't care for trendy, made-up-sounding names. We like to stick with the classics."

finchfeeder80

I think if I said here what I'd say in response to that person, I'd get banned.....

aliciaspinnet

Frogger5 said:

How about, "We prefer to think they are 'classic.' We were thinking about their futures. We want them to be respected as adults, and not sound ridiculous to possible employers." Hmm, maybe not insulting/direct enough!

This is my favourite reply, but I'm fairly non confrontational and also a fan of the secret insult that sounds so polite that no one can legitimately take offence.

neverblushed

Nice, non-confrontational response: "Well, I guess to each his own."

Snarky response: "Well, I guess to each his own.  You think my name choices are too boring.  I think your kids' names are too weird."

MixedBerries88

@mattandlora It's not what you say. It's how you say it. You can say something totally plain and if you say it the right way, it cuts. Just change your infection when you say something like "to each their own" and you'll see a change in reaction.

Side note: I can't even with someone who is diluted enough to say that to you. Manners. MANNERS.

neverblushed

I'm sorry.  I try not to be all English-teacher-y on here, but I can't let this one go.

diluted = watered down

deluded = confused or delusional

They are pronounced almost the same way but are two very different words.  Spell check won't catch it because they're both the same part of speech.

MixedBerries88

@neverblushed You know, as I was writing that I thought it felt wrong. Didn't think to google it to check.

g8trkim

Honestly, as rude as I think it is for them to say that to you, I think you should take the high road here. Maybe just say, "Well, we love the names." I also agree with just calling them out and saying it's rude for them to insult your childrens names.

sekosmides

Whenever people ask me why I don't do something stupid (like mis-spell a name, or take a toddler to the state Fair during nap time) I tell them it's because I don't hate my children. That seems to get a laugh, while insinuating that anyone who would do those things is rediculous.

LizWhiz87

Just say, "Oh, I would have named her (insert trashy name here), but I didn't want her to have a baby at her prom." or "You're right, my child's name will sound ridiculous coming out of a strip club's speakers."

theGDpaterfamilias

"I suppose (name) must sound terribly pedestrian to someone shouting a dog's name at a playground."

Realistically, I would take the direct "What an incredibly rude thing to say!"