We told my husband’s family our baby girl’s name today. Their responses were not positive. Granted, I think that’s mainly because they have never heard the name. Now, the name is not made up, and I actually have a very good reason why I want to use the name. Husband loves it, I love it, others have said they do as well. My concern is that by giving lady baby an ‘unusual’ name, she will be set up for a lifetime of teasing. [name]How[/name] important is it that extended family and friends like a name choice? Is this grounds to consider new names or will they come around? My other favorites seem too trendy/popular right now. What to do?! The name, by the way, is [name]Blythe[/name].
Maybe some unusual names will cause teasing, but I doubt it. Names are so much broader nowadays. That might be why his family is hesitant. They aren’t aware of his name trends change. [name]Blythe[/name] seems lovely to me. I don’t see it bringing teasing. Also, I’d guess his family will like the name more once they associate it with your little girl. So as long as they haven’t ruined the name for you, I say go for it.
[name]Blythe[/name] is pretty, not too unusual I don’t think. We waited to share our name until after his birth because someone told me its easier to deal with comments as they will quickly get used to it and get over it. It was annoying and hurtful at first but then they all fall in love and couldn’t imagine a different name.
I think its most important that you both love. I don’t know if they will necessarily start to like the name, but they will love the baby and accept the name after it is on a person.
Plus, [name]Blythe[/name] may be a bit unusual. It is not unusual in a lifetime of teasing type of way at all. It is a name with history that actually sounds modern and fresh. Not weird or bad sounding. I love it personally. I say go for it!
[name]Blythe[/name] is beautiful! 
I don’t think you should decide against a name just because of some possible teasing. You both love the name and that’s all that matters. Personally I’d prefer a name that stands out a little over a name that just blends in with the crowd.
I second this. I think it is more important that you and your husband love the name. Once [name]Blythe[/name] is born, his family will learn to love it because they will associate it with your little girl! I don’t see how [name]Blythe[/name] could cause teasing, I say use it.
[name]Blythe[/name] is lovely! I can’t see any teasing potential there
I wouldn’t share my favourite names with my family myself, but if I did I think it’s always good to listen to what they have to say. It might be that they point out something you didn’t see, like: “Oh, you’re considering [name]Ingrid[/name]? Your great aunt [name]Ingrid[/name] was the black sheep of the family- went loopy and murdered her prize-winning cats”, “I’m afraid ‘[name]John[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] [name]Willy[/name] [name]Dick[/name]’ might be teased a little” or “…wouldn’t the initials spell out ‘SLAG’?”
However, from what you’ve written it doesn’t sound like that. Looks like they just didn’t personally like the name, at first. Not everyone will like [name]Blythe[/name]. But you and your OH both love it (a lot of couples would kill to find a name they both love!) which is what matters. If you love it, use it! I assume some of his family have children of their own and they’ve had their chance at naming. Now it’s yours!
I’m sure that once they meet your little girl they will grow to like the name much more. I say stick with [name]Blythe[/name]! Good luck
[name]Blythe[/name] is beautiful and the family will get use to it. Go with what you and your husband love. Make sure your daughter grows up knowing how much you love her name.
Your family will get used to it, and maybe even grow to love it. A family member of mine named their child a name that I detested, and within a week I was in love with the name, because I love the baby.
Honestly? It depends on whether or not your family has good taste. My dad wanted to name me after the marina he worked at. There is no way I am listening to his advice on baby names.
Their response: “Like Blight?!” His grandmother did say she liked it more and more as she said it. I just wondered if that was because she felt bad. I suppose I worried that everyone would be thinking that secretly. But, I love the advice you ladies have given. We do love it, and I think I would regret not using it. Thanks for your encouraging feedback!
I say go for it! [name]Blythe[/name] is a lovely name that would definitely be on my list had a nearby village not already have that name. Curse Geography.
I agree with the majority of previous posters. My parents, for instance, are very, very traditional and dislike any names that don’t appear on our family tree Thus, when the time comes for me to have children, I know they’ll give me a tough time if I choose names from my current favorites. Another scenario: what if family members have completely different taste when it comes to names (i.e., they like Annalinda and [name]Gabriella[/name], but you like [name]Harper[/name] and [name]Marlowe[/name])? While I value and respect my family’s input, I think the ultimate decision about your children’s names is up to you and your husband/partner. Your parents will love their sweet grandchild and, consequently, will come to accept, if not love, his/her name. Good luck!
When soliciting feedback:
A) make sure is what you really want, I.e. youre not after mere congratulations on your good taste, etc;
B) listen to it-- it’s possible they might actually have good points;
C) as @augusta said, it’s possible they won’t have any good points. Consider the source.
Mishearing the lovely name [name]Blythe[/name] as ‘blight’ is a reasonable point, I think, and one to take into consideration. it doesn’t sound like they’re rejecting it of hand a name hats unfamiliar to them merely because it’s unfamiliar, as some families unfortunately do. However seeing it written will definitely help overcome the homonym, and if it’s already growing on your amily, that’s a great sign.
[name]Blythe[/name] is so wonderful. Surely your family will come around.
[name]How[/name] are you pronouncing it? To my ears it’s far from “blight” because I pronounce the Y like “pie” rather than “ice.”
The sound “Blaiyth” is just a bit slower than “Blighth,” which sounds tighter, less languid and soft.
[name]How[/name] important is family approval? Not at all! Unless you want it to be.
We don’t share the name until after the baby is born. It is what it is, no matter what anyone else thinks. The family will love the baby unconditionally, and the name will grow on her to their ears. Plus, only an evil person will comment negatively about a newborn’s name to a hormonal, postpartum woman.
When you’re the parent, you get to choose the name, and unless you want their pre-approval, its none of their business.
I like hearing opinions and I appreciate bluntness and honesty which my family always gives me. But some people should keep the name to themselves because they can’t handle it.
Although I like [name]Blythe[/name] it is not a pretty sound; it’s harsh and lispy. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea so you’ll just have to accept that. And contrary to what other Berries claim even after the child is here they may still dislike the name, doesn’t mean they don’t love the child. If they don’t like it, they don’t like it. Take it into consideration and decide if you still love the name in spite of their dislike.
I think blade above me makes some great points in the whole “name approval” game. I wouldn’t fret too much in your case. Once [name]Blythe[/name] is actually attached to a beautiful little girl, they’ll come around. Some already are, as you said. They may never fall in love with it, but they’ll learn to like it. If they can’t get past it even after [name]Blythe[/name] is here, baby names are not your biggest problem.
I don’t speak to the majority of my family, so family approval is obviously not a big concern on any front for me. For those with whom I am still in contact, I don’t foresee any problems. My mom knows I’m a name nerd and I’ve played with names with her for years. My stepmother and my sister have similar taste to my own.
I would go with [name]Blythe[/name]. It really only matters what you and your dh think, it is your baby. [name]One[/name] of my girls is named [name]Freya[/name] and I got a lot of weird looks from both sides of our family (no name nerds among them), but you have to chose something you will be happy with. I think it helps to ask them what their suggestions are for a name. Generally it shows you what kind of names they like and if they have good taste you might listen, but [name]Blythe[/name] is gorgeous, so most likely they don’t. My parents suggested [name]Allison[/name] & [name]Caitlin[/name] instead (insert eye roll here).
For me, not at all.
If I had it my parents way, my daughter’s name would be something like [name]Aliyah[/name], Rahma, [name]Shakila[/name], most definitely not [name]Alessandra[/name], [name]Victoria[/name], [name]Katerina[/name], [name]Olivia[/name], or [name]Elisa[/name].
I decided a while ago that I wouldn’t let my parents opinions influence my name selections for future children. My SOs family, I’m not sure where they stand. We’re not at that stage of having a family so I don’t feel comfortable with bringing up name ideas to them.
If you and your husband love the name, and truly feel that it’s the best choice that it doesn’t matter what others really say. [name]Blythe[/name] isn’t a bad name with a negative meaning or connotations. It’s just old-fashioned, which might be why they feel she’ll be teased. But guess what, they can get over it. It’s not a bad choice.