When Someone You Love Likes Names That You Hate

General Name Discussion
1

Has anyone had experiences where a close friend/relative wants to name their baby something that you really don’t like? My sister likes names that many people would see as “low class” and she also likes “unisex” names. I feel terrible because I really want to like them, but at the same time have to give her my opinion. And yes, she does ask for my opinion. I was hoping that I could get some advice on what to do, and also some suggestions that I could give her (I have a hard time thinking of things, because our tastes are SO different). These are some names she is considering (for a girl):

[name]Zariah[/name]
[name]Jace[/name]
[name]Jazlyn[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name]
[name]Jayden[/name]

Help?!

2

I’m having the same issue now. My sister is getting into yooneek spellings (eek!) and unisex names for girls. I hate it because she truly wants my opinion, but seems hurt when I dislike a name. I tell her often that it really doesn’t matter what I think, I will love the baby regardless and it is her choice, not mine.

Maybe [name]Charlotte[/name] or [name]Jacqueline[/name]/[name]Jaclyn[/name] for [name]Charlie[/name] and [name]Jace[/name] as nicknames? [name]Zara[/name] or [name]Zaria[/name] are pretty, more feminine alternatives for [name]Zariah[/name], even though I don’t think it’s too terrible with the ‘h’-ending and it has a pretty meaning (though I’m pronouncing it like [name]Daria[/name] and I have a feeling she is thinking Zuh-[name]RYE[/name]-uh, and most other people would with the ‘h’ as well). I have no hope for baby girl [name]Jayden[/name] or [name]Jazlyn[/name].

If she really likes unisex names, why not [name]Emerson[/name], [name]Ellison[/name], [name]Bay[/name], [name]Bailey[/name], [name]Quinn[/name], or [name]Delaney[/name]? Unisex names are not my favorite at all, but I don’t find these too bad and they have some cute nicknames. I also like [name]Macy[/name], which isn’t really unisex but it’s sounds like [name]Jace[/name], so maybe you can sway your sister.

3

If she asks, tell her what you think. If not, let her name her own child. They’re not great names, but they won’t cause a lifetime of ostracization either. There are lots of other female Jaydens, Jazlyns, and Charlies- so while the names aren’t everyone’s taste, they’re what your sister loves. Perhaps direct her to some name blogs like Nameberry and Appellation Mountain, but remember the ultimate choice is hers.

4

Does the name [name]Jocelynn[/name] appeal to her at all? Not a unisex name but I think it has some of the same characteristics of the names you listed. Other names that come to mind are [name]Morgan[/name], [name]Kendall[/name], [name]Quin[/name], [name]Jordan[/name], [name]Kellen[/name], [name]McKenzie[/name], [name]Avery[/name], [name]Lyric[/name].

5

If she asks, maybe suggest something with a similar sound that’s not TOO far outside her comfort zone. Something along the lines of “That’s great, have you thought about NAME, it’s really pretty too and it’s similar to [name]ONE[/name] OF HER FAVORITES.” For example, [name]Jace[/name] = [name]Grace[/name] or [name]Macy[/name], [name]Jazlyn[/name] = [name]Jocelyn[/name] or [name]Jasmine[/name], [name]Charlie[/name] = [name]Carly[/name] or [name]Marley[/name] or [name]Charlize[/name]/[name]Charlotte[/name] NN [name]Charlie[/name], [name]Zariah[/name] = [name]Mariah[/name] or [name]Sariah[/name] or [name]Zahara[/name]/[name]Zara[/name], and [name]Jayden[/name] = [name]Jayla[/name] or [name]Kailyn[/name] (however [name]KAY[/name]-lan is spelled) or [name]Peyton[/name].

If she doesn’t ask or doesn’t like your suggestions, well then frankly: tough. Ultimately she’s going to name her kid whatever she really loves. If I loved a name and someone kept trying to push me off of it just because they didn’t like it I would get really, really annoyed. That’s assuming a “normal” name that wouldn’t be a problem for the child (ie [name]Susan[/name], not [name]Tallula[/name] Does The Hula From [name]Hawaii[/name]).

6

Edited for privacy.

7

Edited for privacy.

8

Not my kid, not my place to object, no matter how much I might hate a name. If pressed, I’ll say the suggested name “isn’t my style,” but that there’s nothing inherently wrong with it.

9

If she seriously wants your input, maybe you can try to help her find some more attractive options that are similar to her choices and then let her decide whether she likes them or not. If she’s just asking because she wants to hear you agree with her, you can always just say the names aren’t your style but sound like hers.

10

I had to laugh when all of the names seemed a bit ‘out there’ … and then there was [name]Charlie[/name]. hehe

I get that it’s for a girl, but [name]Charlie[/name] has come to be a quite popular girls’ nickname ([name]Charlotte[/name]) lately. Normal.
[name]Jace[/name] and [name]Jayden[/name] are firmly “boy” to me. Not male/masculine, but BOY.
[name]Zariah[/name] I don’t see as ‘low class,’ just quite unusual.
[name]Jazlyn[/name]… um… well, it feels unnecessary. Pick [name]Jasmine[/name] or [name]Jaqueline[/name], even [name]Jacklyn[/name], and call it a day on that one.

If she asks your opinion, give it. Gently. Then suggest some similar-sounding names that are to your taste. This is sort of basic human interaction here.

11

Edited for privacy.

12

I would personally say, “Hey I like a lot of those as nicknames. But how about giving her a full name that’s a bit more versatile”

I know a [name]Jasmine[/name] who’s family calls her [name]Jazzy[/name] of Jassa.
As has been said [name]Charlie[/name] can come from [name]Charlotte[/name] or even [name]Charlene[/name].
[name]Jace[/name] could come from [name]Jacinta[/name] or [name]Jocelyn[/name] or [name]Jacklyn[/name] or [name]Janice[/name]/[name]Janis[/name]
[name]Zara[/name] is a beautiful option and more accepted than [name]Zariah[/name].

13

I think [name]Zariah[/name]'s really pretty! :slight_smile:

I’ve experienced this before, but I didn’t make a big deal out of it because, ultimately, I knew it didn’t matter what I thought. I know that my opinion isn’t a fact; me not liking a name doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with it. I’m not trying to be rude to you or anyone else who feels this way. I’m just saying, remember that your opinion is just your opinion; it’s not a fact. :slight_smile:

14

My best friend and I have very different tastes (though sometimes we hit on the same name, and I live in fear she’ll steal one because she’s married and actively TTC, so I keep my best to myself now!) Anyway, when she suggests a name I don’t really like, I say how interesting a name it is and ask how she came up with it and what about it she likes. Then we delve into other names sort of organically, without me having to force it. I like some of the other suggestions here, too, like saying a lot of these feel like nicknames and suggesting a longer alternative. It also kind of looks like she’s not really dived into the deeper pool of names and is just going with names she’s heard around or on television or something, so perhaps you could point her to a name site (maybe not this one since you’ve talked about her on it) just to get her started? Also, I kind of like [name]Zariah[/name] and [name]Charlie[/name]; [name]Jazlyn[/name] makes me think of the girl from [name]America[/name]'s Next Top Model, though.

Also, I can help you cure her love of [name]Jace[/name]. Ask her, “Like [name]Jace[/name], the dude from Duck Dynasty?” Then show her this: Site is undergoing maintenance

Some other names she might like:

Spunky but sweet ([name]Zariah[/name]):
[name]Maisie[/name], [name]Daisy[/name], [name]Sadie[/name], [name]Hattie[/name], [name]Calla[/name], [name]Rue[/name], [name]Zola[/name], [name]Zara[/name]

Names with a sassy sort of flair (a la [name]Jazlyn[/name]):
[name]Tallulah[/name], [name]Lola[/name], [name]Esme[/name], [name]Scarlett[/name], [name]Bette[/name], [name]Delia[/name], [name]Dahlia[/name]

Longer names she can pull nn from:
[name]Jocelyn[/name], [name]Jessamine[/name], [name]Charlotte[/name], [name]Caroline[/name], [name]Coraline[/name]

Unisex (though I think a lot of these are kind of overdone atm):
[name]Quinn[/name], [name]Luca[/name], [name]Morgan[/name], [name]Rowan[/name], [name]Taylor[/name], [name]Shelby[/name]