Recently I posted fairly convinced that my twins were going to be named [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]. I made the decision to tell my parents our name choices (which I do regret now). Let’s just say their reaction wasn’t exactly what I had expected. They absolutely detest the names and my mother warned that she would not want anything to do with my babies if I named them [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]. I feel like I have to let her have her way. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I are thinking of alternatives to these names and the best we’ve thought of so far is [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have any ideas? Thanks again. [name_f]Kat[/name_f] & [name_m]Lucas[/name_m]
While [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] are more to my liking, I do not think you should reconsider the names you and your partner already chose for this reason.
Opinions are important but only if they are reasonable and supportive. Your mother would not want to be a grandmother to her granchildren because of their names? If I were you, I would call her bluff. [name_f]Do[/name_f] not let her threaten you into doing what she wants.
I would not name my children [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], but that is why they are YOUR children, not mine, not your mothers’.
I love the name [name_u]Ember[/name_u]. I do prefer [name_m]Felix[/name_m] over [name_m]Pheonix[/name_m] but they are your children. You have to call them by their names for years to come. I don’t think you should change your mind based on anyone’s opinion, including your mothers. I know support is important but you shouldn’t set out to please others ever… Especially when naming your children. I think your mother warning you about not being a grandmother to your children is nothing more than a threat.
I hope everything works out for you and that your twins arrive happy, healthy, and with names you chose and love 
I think [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] are really lovely name choices actually. [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are not to my taste. What about [name_f]Emma[/name_f] and [name_m]Phineas[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Finn[/name_u])?
But really with these sorts of things you have to follow your heart xx
Seems a little crazy that your own mother wouldn’t want anything to do with your babies if you chose names she didn’t like.
While [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are not my style, I do not believe that you should change your mind about the names that you and your husband have picked out. They are your children and you have every right to name them what you want. [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_m]Felix[/name_m] are you settling, they might run into other [name_m]Ambers[/name_m] and Felixes in school and that won’t be fun. [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are unique and I believe you should keep them no matter what anyone says!!!
Exactly what I was thinking, haha.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let your mother manipulate you. If you’re having kids, it’s definitely time to set some boundaries with her. Best of luck!
I understand why someone wouldn’t be crazy about Ember and Phoenix, even though I like both names. They’re your babies and it’s up to you to chose the names, but I understand not wanting to upset the grandparents. If their opinion is really important to you, you could have your parents call them by nicknames (maybe Em and Nix, Emma and Nick, or Emmy and Nicky?) or using Ember and Phoenix as middle names.
Amber and Felix are too mismatched, in my opinion, especially for twins - Amber is modern, common, and dated, while Felix is regal, ancient, and unusual. I would expect Amber to be Felix’s mother. If you like name themes, why not go for something that also means “lucky” or “happy” or “cheerful”? Felix and Felicity, Felix and Laetitia, Felix and Allegra, Felix and Joy, Felix and Fortune, Felix and Blithe, Felix and Sunny, Felix and Hilarie, Felix and Seely?
some ideas:
Emma
Emmeline / Emelina
Emily / Emilia / Emiliana
Emer — from Irish mythology
Embla — name from Norse mythology
Emerald
Esmeralda
Esmée
Emblyn — medieval / Cornish form of Emmeline
Ebba
Everild / Everly / Ever
Eleanor / Elinor
Esther
Hester
Honor
Phoebus
Pheadrus
Phelan
Philip
Philo
Phineas
Phrixus
Knox
Mannix
Maddox
Nicholas
I’m sorry your parents didn’t like the names you picked out. Was there a specific reason she gave, like the fire theme? If you know why, and still want to change names, then you can hopefully avoid having the same reaction from them with another set of names. But, if you and your husband love [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], I don’t think you need to change them.
We have considered both of those names for a boy, but I think [name_u]Ember[/name_u] can very much go either way. It’s actually still on our top ten list right now! There is no way your mother is going to have nothing to do with your babies because of their names. She will have to grow to like them. Please keep your original names, they are beautiful!
I agree with everyone else- the only people who have to agree about your children’s names are you and your husband. This is an insane threat for your mother to make, that she wouldn’t see her grandchildren if you named them [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]. She either doesn’t really mean this, or she has some mental instability. I agree with the above posters, you should call her bluff.
Wow. I’d sort of feel like I HAD to name my babies [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] after that. Or send my mother a letter and let her know if she’s really going to choose to have nothing to do with her grandchildren based purely on not liking their names it’s probably best to just cut her out of their lives now. That is either some extreme manipulation or revolting shallowness on her part. Tell her Orangejello and Lemonjello were two other considerations. Maybe she’d learn to love [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]!
[name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are not my style, but they’re YOUR kids, and you shouldn’t let your mother bully you into changing names just because she doesn’t like them. And for her to say that she wouldn’t want anything to do with her own grandkids because of their names… well, that’s just asinine and cold. That kind of manipulative nonsense is not part of a healthy relationship.
This!
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though I’m not a fan of the names together; they aren’t my children so what I say doesn’t really matter.
I definitely don’t think you should change names you love because your mother is being unreasonable.
I really like this idea about nicknames, could make for a good compromise.
What she said!
I’ve gotta say, that seems like a really mean and inconsiderate thing to say to any mommy-to-be, never mind your own daughter. I hope you decide to keep the names you already love! I’m sure your mother will forget any resentment towards the names when she sees her grandchildren. and if not, that’s just insane! I mean, if you met someone at a party and you really hit it off, would you decide not to be friends if you found out they had a name you didn’t like? it’s a ridiculous thought.
I understand wanting to please your parents, but she has to be reasonable! definitely suggest the nickname idea to her, that’s a very fair compromise.
So I’m going to diverge a bit from what most people say. First off, your mother is beyond rude to say such a thing. It is manipulative and or cruel and shows emotional immaturity. Normally I would agree with the posters and say to name them what you like and certainly [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are unusual but not really out there names. However, I have no idea what your family situation and your relationship to your mother. You shouldn’t have to but whether you choose to change them (and the alternatives work fine together and are also lovely names) depends on that. Is she serious? [name_m]Will[/name_m] she cause problems? [name_m]Will[/name_m] those problems only be an annoyance or cause serious issues for you and yours? If you all lived together and/or depended on her for help I could see needing to consider her reactions.
I think [name_u]Ember[/name_u] and [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] are great, and agree with everyone saying your mother’s behavior is cruel and outrageous.