Mexican family wants a "mexican name"

msjlozano

My boyfriend and I have always said that we liked the name Penny Lane or Emma Belle if we ever had a daughter. I don't even know what I'm having yet, but my family told me that I can't name my daughter anything other than a "strong Mexican name" like Adriana or Rodrigo. Ummmm what?! I also like the name Neftali for a boy (my favorite poet is Pablo Neruda and this was his name) but my cousin's husband said that the child will be picked on and made fun of if I named him that. What do I tell people when they start giving me their input?! 

g8trkim

Your baby, your choice. They have no say in what you name your child. Use the name you both love. They will get over it.

BeagleBub

It's nice that you want to respect your family and choose a spanish name, but its YOUR child. You should pick a name you and your bf want.

 

Puppylove*85

I will echo the previous posters.  Name your child what you and your boyfriend want. 

Your child's name doesn't have to be up for discussion.  Or just smile and nod for now and then sign the birth certificate with whatever you like.

BakerMommy

My thought upon reading the subject: "then they should have a baby".  Parents pick the name.  While it's nice to be able to honor the family/heritage, it's up to you if and how to do so.

MicahBaviere

Thank them politely for their input and then change the subject. Also, stop talking about baby names with your family. They'll still give opinions, but you don't have to respond. Pick the name you and your BF want. If your family wants to name the baby, then they can have their own. Until then, you're the parents, you have absolute say. 

PunkyBooster

Say, "well that's nice" if they say that.

This isn't a big deal. Everyone has an opinion. Your family has had their chances to name their babies. It's your turn now. and Penny Lane sounds like a place I would go to buy candy. I like Emma Belle though. 

Michellie7

mj.reilly:

Tell them that it is your child and your decision.

You don't have to listen to their input. It is not their child. If they don't like it, that is their problem, not yours.

Name the kid what YOU (and your DH) want.

Well said! 

zaramarie81

1. I agree that your family should not have the final say on the name.

2, If you're looking for feedback on the names (I think you are?): Penny Lane sounds like a street name to me and also happens to be the name of a local Irish pub (although Penny is a sweet fn). Emma Belle is nice. Your choice for a boy name may be best suited as a middle name.

FirstBabyMomma

 Like everyone else said: your baby, your choice. Although I do think that if your SO doesn't agree to a particular name, that warrants rethinking. I think you both need to agree.

Both of your name choices are cute.  I personally wouldn't use Penny Lane because I am known as a huge Beatles fan and it would be too cutesy, but it is a guilty pleasure name for sure (BTW, curious as to whether PPs not getting the Beatles reference, or just not saying anything because it was so obvious?).

KrissyMiss

FirstBabyMomma:

 Like everyone else said: your baby, your choice. Although I do think that if your SO doesn't agree to a particular name, that warrants rethinking. I think you both need to agree.

Both of your name choices are cute.  I personally wouldn't use Penny Lane because I am known as a huge Beatles fan and it would be too cutesy, but it is a guilty pleasure name for sure (BTW, curious as to whether PPs not getting the Beatles reference, or just not saying anything because it was so obvious?).

I was wondering this as well.

OP - you are going to get TONS of unsolicited advice on everything from names, to pain relief, to weight gain, to what color you should paint your toe nails and beyond. Do what you think is best for your baby, and give him/her the name that you and your SO feel fits.

ETA: As to what to tell people when they give unwanted input, you can simply say that the topic isn't up for discusssion.

zaramarie81

KrissyMiss:

FirstBabyMomma:

 Like everyone else said: your baby, your choice. Although I do think that if your SO doesn't agree to a particular name, that warrants rethinking. I think you both need to agree.

Both of your name choices are cute.  I personally wouldn't use Penny Lane because I am known as a huge Beatles fan and it would be too cutesy, but it is a guilty pleasure name for sure (BTW, curious as to whether PPs not getting the Beatles reference, or just not saying anything because it was so obvious?).

I was wondering this as well.

OP - you are going to get TONS of unsolicited advice on everything from names, to pain relief, to weight gain, to what color you should paint your toe nails and beyond. Do what you think is best for your baby, and give him/her the name that you and your SO feel fits.

ETA: As to what to tell people when they give unwanted input, you can simply say that the topic isn't up for discusssion.

I thought it was a Beatles reference but thanks to the local pub with the same name, I was wondering if I was actually confusing the pub with a Beatles song? Lol. Pregnancy brain. 

cloud9climber

It's your baby.  Name it what you like but fwiw, I love the names Mateo and Raquel both are considered Latin names. GL.  

That.Just.Happened

This is EXACTLY why you don't share your names. It will drive people crazy, but it is better than having to listen to peoples' opinions.  Stick to your guns, it is YUOR baby and YOUR choice.

Aligator28

It's your baby. Name it what YOU want.

msjlozano

Thank you everyone! I feel better. These hormones makes me over think what people tell me. I like Emma Belle too and I think we'll just a Beatles themed nursery. You guys gave your opinion nicely. I feel like its sorta mean to have my family say pick a "Mexican name" because we live in a diverse state (California) and it shouldn't matter if the kids name is Mexican, white, black, etc. Emma Belle sounds like a good choice for a girl, now I'm stuck on a boy! I need first names for Neftali now pronounced (nef-ta-lee) 

FrecklesInside

g8trkim:

Your baby, your choice. They have no say in what you name your child. Use the name you both love. They will get over it.

Yuppers, this. Don't tell people the names you're thinking of until you've named the baby and he/she is born...

NaeTeaspoon

What about still choosing a name you and your SO like and keeping the family happy by choosing a Mexican middle name? That way you won't regret your decision and you can still keep the family happy.

Good luck

blingbean

just a suggestion.  penelope can be a spanish name, so you could name her Penelope Lane (aka "penny" lane) .

anna7602

Ha! My family is the opposite. They don't like names that are "too" Hispanic and think we should only consider names that sound good in both Spanish and English (like DD's name). My mother just about had a heart attack when I casually mentioned how much I love the name Xiomara once, and I'm not even pg or TTC now.

Anyway, as pp said, your baby, your choice. But, it is helpful to think about how much you're up for in terms of correcting people's spelling/pronunciation of a name like Neftali.

KitchenElf

CityBee:

Your family got to name their children and now you get to name yours. Pick a name you and your BF truly love. You will most likely regret it if you don't.

 

This is great advice.  Once you've named the baby they'll just have to go with it.

APendola

It's your baby - it's your choice.  My husband is from Chile and he told his parents that he doesn't want to use a Spanish name and they don't have a problem with that.  Although they haven't liked some of our ideas so far because they didn't know how to spell/pronounce them...but they are happy to learn.

If you do decide to honour the baby's Mexican heritage in the name...maybe you could consider using a middle name.

Chengele

msjlozano:

My boyfriend and I have always said that we liked the name Penny Lane or Emma Belle if we ever had a daughter. I don't even know what I'm having yet, but my family told me that I can't name my daughter anything other than a "strong Mexican name" like Adriana or Rodrigo. Ummmm what?! I also like the name Neftali for a boy (my favorite poet is Pablo Neruda and this was his name) but my cousin's husband said that the child will be picked on and made fun of if I named him that. What do I tell people when they start giving me their input?! 

Stop discussing names with them. When the baby is born fill out the birth certificate with the name you want and so it goes. 

msjlozano

Well I don't bring up the name issue, they just sprung it on me. My family is like that. They don't need an invitation to give their advice, they just do it! AHHHHH!! lol but thankfully they're very supportive and my boyfriend and I decided to go with a name that has Isabelle or Bella in it. For the boys name, ya we are so unsure. Poor kid, probably won't figure a boy's name out until the baby is here! But I still have until June or July to see what it is gonna be. 

ah625

msjlozano:

What do I tell people when they start giving me their input?! 

Never talk about names. If anyone asks just say that you've chosen and won't tell anyone until the baby is born.