Gransnet forums

AIBU

Grandchild name

(222 Posts)
ermintrude Thu 15-Aug-13 22:17:36

My son has give his son what I consider to be a girl's name. I am gutted and have fallen out with him big time.

Need advice.

Lilygran Fri 16-Aug-13 09:29:56

Shirley Crabtree? I think there are so many weird original names around now, the chances of any name causing a child any trouble must be much less than when we were young! And I can see why parents want to give their unique new baby a name no-one else will have.

LizG Fri 16-Aug-13 09:34:17

With you there Backagain, quite probably a wind-up. I was hit, myself, by the Wrath of Gransnet some years ago and have only just begun to dip my toes back in the water.

Ella46 Fri 16-Aug-13 09:44:09

Why ask the opinion of a forum if you don't want to hear those opinions?

ginny Fri 16-Aug-13 09:44:49

Maybe a wind up. I don't know why the name isn't mentioned. I don't think the wrath of gransnet has come down. The OP asked if she was being unreasonable and most people have just said that they think she is. Also pointing out that that it really isn't worth loosing out on seeing her DGS and forming a good relationship just because of his name.

Nonu Fri 16-Aug-13 10:02:24

W?hat actually is the name ? Ermintrude ?

Lilygran Fri 16-Aug-13 10:22:02

I can understand why anyone would not want to put their grandchild's name on an Internet forum, especially if it s very distinctive!

MrsSB Fri 16-Aug-13 10:35:53

I'm sorry Ermintrude, but I'm with everyone else on this. It is their baby, and they can call it whatever they want to. Unfortunately the people who are losing here are you and the baby; you are missing seeing a beautiful child growing up, and the baby is missing the love and fun a child gets from a grandmother.

My daughter has two children, both of whose names are unusual, but we realised very early on that they are their children, not ours, Maybe our daughter didn't think much of the names we chose for our children (her and her brother), but we chose them because they were our children to name, and she and her husband chose the names of their children for the same reason.

Please don't deny yourself and the baby the chance of a wonderful grandmother/grandchild relationship just because you don't like the baby's name.

KatyK Fri 16-Aug-13 10:36:18

My only grandchild has a lovely traditional name, but whatever the parents had chosen I wouldn't have considered it my business. I would have kept my thoughts to myself. I have friends whose grandchildren have been given some odd (in my opinion of course) names lately. My friends have been slightly embarrassed to tell people but don't consider it their business. I know several people who work in schools and to be honest I don't think any name will cause problems these days.

Galen Fri 16-Aug-13 10:36:27

The very dishy hulk who was the pe instructor on my last cruise. Was called Niccola! He was an ex international Milan player. No doubting his masculinity.

nightowl Fri 16-Aug-13 10:54:33

DD has a very odd (to my mind) name in mind if she is fortunate enough to have a daughter. Unfortunately my face gives away my feelings too easily and she knows I am less than keen on her choice. I honestly believe it is none of my business and if I'm lucky enough to have a granddaughter I'm sure I will be so delighted that her name will be immaterial to me. And I have already thought of lots of pet names that can be derived from DD's choice grin

merlotgran Fri 16-Aug-13 11:02:03

Definitely a wind up. hmm

Marelli Fri 16-Aug-13 11:07:59

My late brother-in-law's name was Ivie. He was anything but effeminate - in fact he was a big strapping 6'2" policeman. His name never bothered him - he was called after his uncle and great-uncle, apparently.

petra Fri 16-Aug-13 11:11:48

Seems to me that the money is the issue here; not the childs name.
And how can you say that you pity the child because of a name.

Nelliemoser Fri 16-Aug-13 12:00:37

Galen Your certainty about his masculinity suggests you tested it. wink

merlotgran Fri 16-Aug-13 12:02:44

I know we're not supposed to talk about other threads but......on another thread we are roundly criticising a blogger for wingeing which shows we're not a gullible group of pushovers.

I think sometimes we have to remember that in real life there are people we would cross the road to avoid.

Marelli Fri 16-Aug-13 12:05:43

With you there, merlotgran - (or just ignore). smile

j08 Fri 16-Aug-13 12:35:17

I think there are other issues involved here are n't there ermintrude? Bit of envy of "her" parents. Understandable. Often happens with mothers of the dad.

I can sympathise fully about the name. If it really is that bad then the poor child will be saddled with it, which seems cruel. Is there a middle name? Or he could change it very easily when he is older. Can't see anything that you can do though if the deed is do ne and the name registered. It might not work out as badly as you think. Try to avoid a family rift at all costs.

j08 Fri 16-Aug-13 12:36:02

Can't see anything to point to a wind up.

j08 Fri 16-Aug-13 12:45:27

I had to bite my tongue over what I consider to be the ridiculous name given to my younger grandson. At least that is only the middle name. He can drop it as soon as he wants to. Poor kid. hmm

mrsmopp Fri 16-Aug-13 13:38:14

Is it a Boy Named Sue ....????

Couldn't be worse than that could it?

sunseeker Fri 16-Aug-13 14:45:34

My great niece hated the names given to her by her parents and from a very early age announced that she would be known by her initials. Now even her teachers call her MJ!

Bags Fri 16-Aug-13 15:02:48

Babe Ruth was a bloke.

Shirley is from a surname, i.e. a 'sire' name. Hillary also. And Leslie.

Bags Fri 16-Aug-13 15:05:53

As a male name Marion derives from the Latin male name Marianus.

Amazinf what you can find out if you look about you.

Galen Fri 16-Aug-13 15:18:55

NellieM I wish! Probably forgotten what to do by nowsad but he was super in his swimming trunks!.

Dara Fri 16-Aug-13 15:36:20

Someone at work was considering calling their baby, Koala. Fortunately they decided on something less unusual.