Grandma hates the name!

beanie1977

we told my grandma the baby's name. We named him after her maidan name since we couldn't give him her first name.

She's my favorite person in the world and I completely adore her. I'm closer (and always have been) to her than my own parents.

She asked if we would change it but I'm not sure. We've been pretty set on it. There's no men on my side of the family I'd name him after. I come from a pretty broken family, and she's been the constant support and I wanted to honor her.

What would you do?

kelsojohnso

What is the name? Does she HATE hate it? Or is she just being modest?

bbiutmcph

If I wanted to honor someone and that said person flat out asked me basically not to and if I would consider changing it I would probably be thinking twice and likely not using the name. At least not in the Fn spot.

ameares721

I would consider changing it. If the person it's meant to honor is not excited about it I would definitely ask why.

In the end, it's your child and if you like the name, then you should use it! Our daughter's middle name will be "Knight" which is my husband's second middle name and his mother's maiden name. She loves it, but if she had said she preferred we didn't, I would have considered changing it.

Perhaps ask if she had a suggestion for another name and if you two can come up with one together, that could be a way to honor her?! Good luck!

cmjn94

I would try to clarify why she doesn't want her grandson named after her? She may have a good reason for it, who knows?
But in the end he's still your baby so it's up to you.

MariahOBrien

What's the name? Could you try a similar name or variation?

Edited: cause my other comment made no frickin sense.

beanie1977

The name is Kaplan which is her maidan name. She just felt like it was too ususual. She said to give him a "nice normal American name." But she grew up during the times of assimilation and when her family immigrated they all took on new names and gave their children very American names.

We like it because it's unique but not too strange and the spelling is easy (I'm a teacher) plus it has family meaning. It doesn't seem too different from all the other last name-first names that are so popular. We know lots of kids with names like Hudson, Harrison, Cooper, etc. it also sounds a little like Declan or Carson which are pretty common so it's just a little bit different.

We decided since she only felt it was "too modern" to stick with it.

Honestly I am sort of afraid to post a name on this board because so many people are intensely opinionated!

cmjn94

I think Kaplan is nice, personally. and I think it's great for you to stick with it!

leighann1

Would you be willing to switch it to a middle name? 

MariahOBrien

beanie1977 said:

The name is Kaplan which is her maidan name. She just felt like it was too ususual. She said to give him a "nice normal American name." But she grew up during the times of assimilation and when her family immigrated they all took on new names and gave their children very American names.

We like it because it's unique but not too strange and the spelling is easy (I'm a teacher) plus it has family meaning. It doesn't seem too different from all the other last name-first names that are so popular. We know lots of kids with names like Hudson, Harrison, Cooper, etc. it also sounds a little like Declan or Carson which are pretty common so it's just a little bit different.

We decided since she only felt it was "too modern" to stick with it.

Honestly I am sort of afraid to post a name on this board because so many people are intensely opinionated!

Aw jeez. Don't be afraid to post the name! People will always have opinions, whether you like it or not. And it's not a big deal, really. To each their own.

I personally think the name Kaplan is pretty cool, and I think you should stick with it if you're set on it!

plumpous

I think it's just a generational thing. She will grow into it. 

A lot of names seemed weird to me at first but now I'm used to them such as Blake or Harper.

sidneymich

I think Kaplan is a beautiful name!! Stick to it! It is a great way to honor her and she will learn to love an appreciate the gesture. It's definitely different but easy to spell and pronounce. I think it's an epic win. Acknowledge her feelings and don't discount them but ensure her that it's actually perfect, not to weird, but still unique

justagirl04

I say go with your gut. We are naming our girl after her great great grandma. Everyone in the family is super excited but my friends aren't. They say it's too old fashioned or out dated. But I don't care. She's going to be Opal and that's all there is to it. If my family, specifically my grandfather whose mother was Opal didn't like it then I'd consider changing it. One thing I ask myself is 20 years from now will I have regretted my decision on this name. I can honestly say now I won't regret it but if you ask yourself that and there's a hint of doubt you might want to change it.

bbiutmcph

Regardless of the name after you posted it,  I still feel like if the one you are honoring dislikes it so much it kinda of ruins the point of honoring them.  Personally I would middle name it vs having the person I was trying to honor hate it and be vocal about it. 

VioletandRose

leighann1 said:

Would you be willing to switch it to a middle name? 

This. I get that you want to honor your grandmother, but if she's not happy with it, it defeats the purpose. Plus, flat out ignoring her opinion might be insulting to her. Maybe consider Kaplan as a middle name?

ameares721

As long as she's not offended, go for it! It's a great name! I've never heard of it as a first name and I really dig the last name as a first name thing that happens to be all the rage and my last name is McKenna, haha! It just sounds like a generational thing and I'm sure it will grow on her.

Mommajones0315

I love that name. I agree modern but not too "out there" I say go for it we are naming our daughter after my husbands grandmother who raised him.