Getting slack from almost everyone!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Getting slack from almost everyone!!
22
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 1:02pm

My husband and I are expecting our first child (it's a girl!) in April. She will be the 6th grandchild on my side and the second on his side. Since I was a little girl I have always liked the name Fiona and now my husband and I want to use it for our baby!
Well, it seems that almost everyone we encounter thinks it's ridiculous. My grandmother can't even remember it and we keep getting comments like "are you sure you won't reconsider?".

How much advice do you take and when do you draw the line and say to heck with everyone's opinion?

Is Fiona that obscure and different?

Thanks for the feedback in advance!

You would think from a family with not so traditional names for grandkids they wouldn't be so harsh!
We have Levi, Landon, Easton already.......what's one more uncommon name?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 1:35pm

I think Fiona's making a come back with the trend towards old-fashioned names and the Shrek movies.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 1:37pm

Fiona's not that obscure at all -- it's actually become rather familiar since the Shrek movies, at least with people with children -- and it's certainly not ridiculous!

I'd say most of the negative comments you've received are just due to the fact that your grandmother is older and not very aware of many names other than those used most in her generation. Next time she says how much she dislikes your choice (and it IS your choice! ), just think of what outdated names she WOULD be happy with. She probably thinks something like Jennifer, Tiffany or Denise would be good choices for pretty, "modern" names. ;) If nothing else, it should make her comments funny enough to not take to heart.

<<>>

If nine out of ten people immediately commented that a name we were considering was a well-known "exotic dancer" type name or made some other negative connection we hadn't been aware of, I would most certainly consider those facts. But if it's just a question of it not being their personal style ... to heck with them! ;) It's not supposed to be their style, it's supposed to be yours. And if you've loved the name for years and didn't have any reservations about using it prior to their comments, I think you have your answer.

Fiona is a real name with a real history. It's not made-up or misspelled. It's not a trendy new creation by any means. Don't let a few negative people keep you from using the name you had your hearts set on, KWIM? ;)

FWIW, a few in our own families always seem to have something negative to say no matter what name we've chosen. It happened when we were naming all three girls, but I don't put much stock in it. After all, when we were naming our second they told us they disliked the name and suggested another "normal, pretty" name instead -- that being the same one they'd hated three years earlier when we were naming the first! LOL When my dh told his mother we were naming our youngest Abigail Fiora, her immediate reply was "you guys sure do like those weird names, don't you?" or something to that extent. Nice.

HTH

~Kelli


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2003
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 4:02pm

Fiona is beautiful, don't let them sway you, especially if you have always loved the name. With my last DD I found most family members really had no idea bout names or trneds. My aunt even told me, "I heard a really nice name yesterday, Hannah. I thought you would like it because it is so uncommon." Uh, yeah, really uncommon.

This is your child and Fiona is a great choice. People always have more harsh words before a baby is born than afterwards. Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2006
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 5:07pm

Keep it. You and your DH love it. That's what counts. Grandparents can mess up names no matter what they are anyway.

That's why we don't share names with family!

Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2006
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 5:45pm
I would't worry about it too much. They will come around especially once your little one is here. My brother and his wife just named there daughter a traditional name (an Elizabeth, Sarah, Katherine type name) and my parents commented to me about what a plain name they had chosen. When I told my mother some of the names I like Iris, Felicity, and Weston she freaked out about how strange they were. Parents are hard to please :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2006
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 7:04pm
I can't believe people think Fiona is such a horrible name..I think it's sooo pretty! People can be so weird sometimes, especially family. If you have your heart set on it, name your baby girl Fiona. It's your child, and I'm sure as soon as they lay eyes on her, they'll see the name is just as perfect as she is.

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 11:26pm
I really like the name Fiona. Think it has become more popular just recently..
I would say if you both love it than that should be all that matters..
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 11:47pm

Seriously? I don't know why they would say that! Fiona is a *gorgeous* name, I love it! It isn't really all that uncommon anymore, lots of people liked it and used it after hearing it in the movie Shrek. I think you should go for it, it's beautiful.

-Nikki


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2006
Sun, 01-07-2007 - 10:31am
You have just learned the lesson my husband and I learned with our first. Never tell family until it is attached to the adorable bundle. With our first we had decided on Sophie Elizabeth or Gwynyth Alexandra (My Dads family is Welsh). We got comments on how horrible and weird our name choices were. Well this time around everyone is asking and we are refusing to tell family. I've asked for opinions on places like here, but not them. They were so rude last time they lost the privildge this time around. I love the name Fiona, it is classic, and will grow up with her and is not one of those "wishy-washy" weak names that are starting to be popular right now. If I were you, ignore them. They had their chance to name thier children, its your turn now.
Best of luck
Cheers
Jen
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Sun, 01-07-2007 - 3:55pm
Just explain that you respect there opinions but it is YOUR baby. And I think Fiona is a beautiful name!

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