Other people's Naming choices

Athena5692 · January 2010

Okay, I already know I'm gonna get flamed on this one, but for some reason I still feel the need to ask.

Do you think at any point it's okay to tell someone that they should rethink their name choice?

The reason I ask is because my SIL/BIL finally decided on a name for their baby, and the entire family feels they're not thinking about what the child will have to go through with the name Apphia. It's probably not going to get spelled right or pronounced right. And any name that some kid can get pee out of is never good. (Even though it's Ah-fee-uh)

Please tell me that it's our hate for SIL, and that this is actually a great name.

lovinfall · January 2010

It's a terrible name but unless you were invovled in the conception keep your opinion to yourself. The kid will survive and it's the parents responsability to deal.

chelsearosehicks · January 2010

It's definitely NMS but this is exactly why we are keeping our names a secret until the big day. I don't want anyone else's opinion about it. Of course, our names are classics so I don't think anyone will care too much.

laurenrobbie · January 2010

I agree it's unusual, but I wouldn't comment. There is always going to be someone who doesn't like a name choice. For instance, my co-irker was talking today about how she loved the named Madeline but would never name her daughter that (I see that's what you are naming your LO) because there are a million Maddies now. My point is, you will always find people who both love and hate a name. If the parents love it then don't say anything. It will grow on you.

Athena5692 · January 2010

Good points, thanks!

halfpintlbk · January 2010

I agree... bizarre name. But that being said its really nobody's business but theirs. I also think that is probably one of those things where if people do say something, they ultimately won't change it and they'll just be pissed. Just my thoughts though.

spappy · January 2010

It's NMS at ALL, but I don't think it's EVER ok to tell someone they shouldn't name their child something. Being on the other end of it, it hurts to hear family or friends say they hate your name choice.

tlmommy2b:) · January 2010

Not a fan but to each their own. I wouldn't comment. I am sure plenty of other people will.

Flowr4246 · January 2010

I believe this is definitely one of those cases where I'd have a hard time keeping my mouth shut on an opinion. I mean, there are ways to express your thoughts tactfully, but I definitely think some re-evaluation needs to be done on this one.

Perhaps you could ask her what her motivation was behind choosing that particular name and take it from there?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that she's just got a sick sense of humor and threw that name out into the ether as a distraction. Otherwise, I'm sad to say I believe your SIL may be on "the cr@ck".

urbanwifey · January 2010

It's terrible.... but like others say, you can't really say much.

Maybe you can offer to pay for therapy when the kid comes crying to you later in life?

Erin0922 · January 2010

::giggle::

Terrible name. My BIL at one point mentioned if he ever had a daughter he wanted to name her Abernathy. Weird.

Unfortunately, I don't think its ever acceptable to openly question someone's name choice. I mean, maybe bring it up once, but def not repeatedly beat it into the ground. No matter how wacky.?

rhannan · January 2010

I think it's horrible too. But as other pp's have said, you should keep your opinion to yourself. It's their decision to make/live with, just as you have the right/responsibility to name your child as you wish. Not flaming, but how would you feel if other people told you that you should change LO's name? I know not everyone will love our LO's name but I appreciate them keeping their opinions to themselves.

foreignroyalty · January 2010

We practically had an intervention when dh's sister named her kids. DH's dad was so upset he actually wrote them a letter to better get his reasoning/feelings across.

She still picked the names she picked and now it's like 'a rose by any other name...' we are so used to the names and the kids suit them.... not that they don't still suck but we're all over it....

But the other day she started to suggest names to DH for us and I was like "don't even tell me, I won't hear this from her..." she's nice but we really are going different routes with our name selections!

Normally I wouldn't say anything, but family is family.

BrittKav · January 2010

I don't like it, but I don't think it's terrible and DEFINITELY not something to confront your SIL about.

Mac_n_Yak · January 2010

We have heard negative things about our name choice, but to be honest we know that we love it and it never really upsets me when people say stuff. I do wish though, that people just kept the negative comments to themselves...it won't change our mind about the name choice. All that said, wouldn't you feel bad if you did say something...and they changed it to suit you, regreting not using their first choice?

nattyncbride · January 2010

I assume it's Greek, and although not a normal 'American' name, I don't think it's awful, and I guessed how you would pron. by just looking at the name. So, no, I don't think you should tell her to rethink the name. I had a Chinese middle name, and I'm sure some would think it was 'horrid' and 'ugly' but it meant something to my tradition (just not theirs). Are they Greek?

lite-bright · January 2010

I follow the general rule of, "if you can't say anything nice about a name, say 'interesting!' or 'that's uncommon' or 'you don't hear that very often', etc." :)I wouldn't appreciate somebody else ragging on my kids' names, so I don't do it to other people even if I personally think the name is horrid. Of course, you always hope people will come to their senses before the child is actually born.

But it's 100% their decision to make.

Sunsh1ne · January 2010

You will be a b!tch if you say anything. Sorry.

myonetruelove · January 2010

I think it is pretty immature to pick on a kids name before they are even born. Every name in the book will be teased, picked on..etc wether it is common or not. I have to agree it is NMS, but not my kid either.

adriennevla · January 2010

I think it's a stupid name, but I would never, ever say anything to someone about a name they've chosen.

bhansen512 · January 2010

DON'T say anything negative about it, no matter how much you dislike it. The only time I would comment is to make sure someone had realized something potenitally offensive about their name (e.g. initials are ASS or something along those lines). Otherwise, smile and nod, no matter how much you dislike the name.

broomy · January 2010

nattyncbride:
I assume it's Greek, and although not a normal 'American' name, I don't think it's awful, and I guessed how you would pron. by just looking at the name. So, no, I don't think you should tell her to rethink the name.

This. Our LO's name is an "unusual" Scandinavian name and we really, really love it. It wasn't picked willy-nilly, it was something we took time & consideration to pick out, and we're sure it's the right name for this child. I'd be p!ssed if my entire family felt like I was torturing my kid just because I was giving him a non-American name. I don't think anyone should say anything to her.

The only time I have given non-solicited baby name advice is when the parent decided to go for a yooneek spelling. I still wasn't mean about it (like "you're going to screw your kid for life")... just pointed out that it was the yooneek female version of the boy name and I wasn't sure if she was aware of that. She stuck with the spelling anyway, and I haven't said a word! I would never, ever tell a parent their name choice will traumatize their kid, or sounds horrible, or will get their kid beat up.... unless that parent is someone on the Baby Names board seeking the honest opinions of others!

Heididdles · January 2010

It's a pretty bad name, but I doubt they care what people think. The middle name we have picked out for our boy (if we ever have one) is pretty random and when we've told people, they react strangely, but we love it and don't care. It's just their choice.

duchessII81 · January 2010

lovinfall:
but unless you were invovled in the conception keep your opinion to yourself.

That's my thought exactly. What I think of another person's name choice is as irrelevant as what they think of ours.

Athena5692 · January 2010

nattyncbride:
I assume it's Greek, and although not a normal 'American' name, I don't think it's awful, and I guessed how you would pron. by just looking at the name. So, no, I don't think you should tell her to rethink the name. I had a Chinese middle name, and I'm sure some would think it was 'horrid' and 'ugly' but it meant something to my tradition (just not theirs). Are they Greek?

They're not Greek. It actually comes from Philemon. Paul writes to Philemon and addresses two others in the beginning of the letter, one being a woman named Apphia.

theloveangel · January 2010

i disagree with a lot of names and i'm pretty sure ppl disagree w/ the name my mom chose for me...but personally, i dont think its anyone else's business what someone names their child. take that energy worrying about someone else's child's name and place that energy else where.

homebird · January 2010

Yes, I think you should keep your mouth shut on this one. Naming your child isn't a "majority rules" situation. It's their decision.

islandgirl79 · January 2010

I don't think the name is that bad really. And I don't think it is any of your business either.

ak1234 · January 2010

My mother and I joke about this ALL of the time...one of the joys of having a baby is naming him/her whatever YOU want, no matter how stupid/ugly/unusual/common other people think it is.

Want a personalized experience?

Other people's Naming choices

Re: Other people's Naming choices

Choose Another Board

Search Boards