Baby Name at Shower?

markhamgurl

Is it common or usual for the MTB to reveal or discuss the baby-to-be's name at a shower, if one has been decided upon?  It's not considered unlucky or anti-climatic, is it?  

We've been told by 3 different u/s techs at 3 different appts that its a girl ..  Not sure if we'd be tempting fate to start discussing our name choice with those outside the immediate family!  

Just wondering what is considered typical or "normal"... 

mben1119

I've never heard of it. But, we didn't tell anyone ds's name until he was born.

JaynieByrd

This seems to be entirely up to you and DH. It seems like something that someone might ask at a shower. If you know and are ready to share, then that seems fine to me.

cinderin

We decided on our boy name before we started TTC. We decided on our girl name shortly after becoming PG. We already told our families. I told my BFF.

I dont know if we are going to fin out the sex though, so we will see if we know the "exact" name until birth.

I wouldn't have a problem sharing. If someone says something rude, it is on them.

bumpuser8448316

Are you planning some big announcement of the name or something? You're also planning to reveal the sex at the party, right?

I think it's going to be more anti-climactic than you think if you do that.

1026pumpkin

I don't think it's a big deal one way or the other. I've never seen anyone do a big name reveal at a shower, but it wouldn't faze me if someone did.

I do think it's common for people to ask about it. Everyone always asks pregnant women the same few questions to make conversation, and the name is always one of them.

rhubarb123

We were team green and did not share any of our name choices with people (except my mom).

I have gone to showers were names were discussed and although a couple had a name picked out (knew the sex, etc) I could hear a few people discussing/making comments how they did/didn't like the name, etc.  I've also gone to showers AFTER the baby was born and obviously the baby already had the name and I heard no one say anything negative about it.

Everyone is going to have their opinion about a name (either negative or positive) and they will sometimes voice their opinion if you throw out the name you are considering (or have actually chosen).  Some of the comments might not be what you want to hear, etc.  Personally, I would not let the name be known until the baby is born.  Course with our last one we didn't even decide on any names (g or b) until I was actually in labor in the hospital and about to give birth.  lol

markhamgurl

Yes, we wanted to be done with keeping the "secret" of the baby's sex and SILs wanted to do a reveal at the shower (not exactly what I had in mind, but you can't control everything!).

Not that our name choice would have been a big announcement or anything ..  I just wondered if it ever got casually mentioned to others before baby's arrival, specifically at the baby shower.

I appreciate everyone's input, especially as SIL is already asking if we are also making a name announcement at the shower (DH just told her our choice last night) and I'll need to give her an answer.  I'm getting the impression it's more acceptable or usual for couples to keep the name on the down-low until baby has actually arrived for the reasons laid out above!  Good to know

LadyXaverian

We had decided on daughter's name shortly after we found out it was a girl, but we hadn't told many people what it was. At the shower, we set up a small display with one of those matte frames that people could sign...

And these block letters...

So we didn't have a big "reveal" or anything, but it was at the shower that many people found her what her name would be.

baloneydisc

The last shower I went to had a beautiful banner hanging up that said "welcome Elizabeth "Ellie" mn ln". They didn't do a big announcement, but it was the first time they told anyone (besides family that wasn't able to attend the shower) the name.

EastCoastBride

elainelbuck:

The last shower I went to had a beautiful banner hanging up that said "welcome Elizabeth "Ellie" mn ln". They didn't do a big announcement, but it was the first time they told anyone (besides family that wasn't able to attend the shower) the name.

I like this idea.

OP - you're already telling people.  It might "get out" on it's own.  I don't feel it needs to be a "O.k, everyone.... the name is going be_____" and then wait for their reaction.

Have the name hanging up so people see it.  Then they'll ask about it, and go from there.  No need to do a fancy reveal around it. 

tilsonc

I have told everyone for several weeks ( I am 32 weeks). I don't understand why people want to keep it a secret. I have heard of some people keeping it a secret if they have a weird name picked out as people make a weird face or make a comment when you tell them. I got a lot of nice monogrammed stuff for baby at my shower so I loved that people knew the name ahead of time. 

PrimRoseMama

We did. Once we had the anatomy scan we started calling the baby by name.

provwife

I think it is a fine idea. I have been to a shower where they had the babies name on the cake I believe...I didn't know the name until the shower but I wasn't too close with the MTB so that could have been why. I think it will add to the excitement for your guests and be fun for you and DH too!

markhamgurl

Aw, those are some adorable ideas!  Thanks to the Bumpie that posted pics, such a sweet little display.

We're not really on board with any kind of big "reveal" like its a massive deal, but this is my first baby shower (ie. not been to any others so don't know what generally happens) and I didn't know if it was considered bad luck or taboo to say something or not! 

SunAndRain

When you share the name is entirely up to you!

We waited until our baby was born because we didn't want to invite negative comments or reactions.

Stacey209

Personally, I wish I never mentioned any name ideas.  As soon as I mentioned names that I liked, everybody started making comments.  People also insist that their favorite names are the best and that I should name her such and such.  So now I just keep my mouth shut and say I havent decided yet.

Jillwithani

We revealed both the sex and name at ours. It was fun!

watermellens

I don't think it's common...I've never been to a shower where people have done that. We're keeping our name a secret - if we were telling people (and having a shower) I wouldn't wait until the shower.

526SadieSadie

I don't think there are any rules about this.  If you've chosen a name and you don't mind people knowing it before the baby arrives, by all means share away.  If you haven't decided, a plain and simple "We haven't decided yet."  Is 100% acceptable - bear in mind that you might hear complaining and get unsolicited suggestions either way.

At my shower we hadn't decided yet but I shared our top five (Olivia, Sarah, Rachel, Natalie and Hannah).  Next time around, (while I won't be having another shower), when asked about names I'll probably give the top five again whether or not we decide in advance.

aeh72

I've never seen this announced "formally" at a baby shower and I would think it's a bit much, personally. But if you want to start sharing the name casually with people who ask, I don't see any etiquette issue with that.  From a superstition standpoint - that's your call on what you're comfortable with.

One caution though is if you start telling people, be 100% certain on the name.  The more people who know the name in advance the more the chance you will get personalized stuff either before or when she/he is born and what if you've changed the name by then?

girlmama83

Oh I like this idea! I think I would probably do something like having people find out the name for the first time by seeing it on the cake.