MEAN, Rude grandparents...HELP!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2005
MEAN, Rude grandparents...HELP!
25
Tue, 12-27-2005 - 4:24pm

Well, we received some really bad feedback from both sets of grandparents this holiday weekend when we revealed our choices of names for our first son, with the preference of Gabriel (Gabe). The others were Gage and Chandler. One grandmother keeps pronouncing it is Gabrielle, and when corrected, said she would have to remember "Gay...Gabe...Gabriel..." and stated "how could you do that to him?" and the other said it was such a feminine name...and the grandfathers think the nn will be Gabby instead of Gabe. I cried all weekend and now I am seeking everyone's input to see if we are "missing" something...I thought this was a fairly normal, likable name that was "safe" and would not turn anyone off too much even if it was not their style...

DESPERATELY SEEKING YOUR OPINIONS!!!

Do you like the name Gabriel, are you neutral or do you absolutely detest it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2005
Tue, 12-27-2005 - 7:29pm

I *LOVE* Gabriel and it is a pretty well known name, what with the Angel Gabriel and all from the Bible. I can't imagine ANYONE in the child's normal everyday environment calling him Gay or Gabrielle. Really and seriously. With no offense meant to your grandparents, are they very old and do they have a hard time hearing?

I love the name Gabriel and the nickname Gabe is just adorable. It was one of the first names on our list, before we realized a nickname conflict with one of our other children.

If I were in your shoes, I would not mention names around the family again until the baby is born and at that point, they're going to be so wrapped up in the cute little one that they won't care what his name is.

By the way, my husband's grandmother called our son (Connor) "Connie" when she was alive and it drove me bonkers, but we didn't see her every day so I never said anything. Her husband was Conrad and he went by Connie. Grandparents do funny things, but I don't think they would scar the child for life by calling him Gabby once or twice by accident.

Kara

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Than

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2005
Tue, 12-27-2005 - 8:36pm
Gabriel is an up-and-coming name as well as being a classic. Lots of parents are using it. However, even though I am getting used to it being used for little boys and even though I think the actor Gabriel Burne (Irish) is awesome, I wouldn't give it as a name to my (American) son. I don't love the nickname Gabe, which people will probably call him. I do think the name is close to Gabrielle and with so many other strong boys' name out there, why put him through that?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2005
Tue, 12-27-2005 - 9:37pm
I'm a grandma. and, I agree...they're kinda rude...but only kinda...You seem to be getting way too upset over their two cents...(okay, maybe four cents)
I would tell my daughter and her husband if I didn't like a name, but if I realized it was upseting my kids I would stop. (at some point) I'm not crazy about the name Gabriel, but it depends on your last name...oh, I see Livingston...goes with lots of names.
My cousin just named her son Gabriel and some call him Gabo, Gabe, Gabie...BUT YOU'RE THE MOM...if you name your son Robert and people call him Bob, you tell them...it's ROBERT. Get it?
Carol from
www.Grandma-Boomers.blogspot.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2004
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 1:08am

There is a little boy in my DD nursery class who's name is Gabriel and he uses the nn Gabe.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2005
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 10:19am

First of all, I love the name Gabriel. I wanted to name my child (if a boy) Elijah or Gabriel. Those names have meaning and are beautiful. Gabriel means strong man of God- most modern names are meaningless and have not stood the test of time.
Gabriel is so beautiful in fact that it led one set of grandparents to say it is feminine. It's a shame they mistake beauty for femininity. The nickname will be whatever you call the child- you'll have the most influence on that. The one boy I know named Gabriel is called Gabe for short... that is most common.

Anyway, name your son what you want- everyone will learn to say it correctly and will end up loving it when it belongs to their grandson. And I think it is a great choice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 10:31am
I say ignore them. They're GRANDPARENTS! OLD! Often their opinions will differ from yours because they're set in their ways and grew up in a different time. Gabriel is a FABULOUS name, one that I personally love, and they should just get used to it.

                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2005
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 12:22pm
I am sorry that the grandparents so upset you. Here are a few things I have had to say when the topic of naming my children has come up in the past. I currently have three children, one whose name is Jillian, my mother was pronouncing it Jillion, rhyming with million. I seriously had to work with her to get the correct pronounciation and syllables down. All the grandparents have comments about names for one reason or another, I unfortunately had a mother who was a teacher which complicated the matter even more. I would tell you the same thing I told my mother, and I would hope you would pass this along to anyone who comments or criticizes your name choice. I could have named my child potato chip and the moment those grandparents see the baby they will be calling him or her their little tater. You need to choose the name that makes you happy, they chose the names for their children and now it is your turn to choose!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 12:50pm
Jillian does rhyme with million. 'Jill-yin' 'mill-yin' That's the only way I've heard Jillian pronounced.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2005
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 1:20pm

I personally love the name Gabriel. It makes me think of angels.

I've always like the name Gage, too.

Name your baby as you please. If the elder kin insist on "honoring" your child's name with horrific pronunciation and nn, that is their privilege. If at all possible, keep in mind that ultimately the self-confidence and self-esteem that your child builds up will help offset hurt feelings. In fact, the child might just be one of those sharp little toddlers that realizes his nn/name isn't correct, and begin to call grandma and grandpa "wumpa" and "woompa," until they get it right.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2005
Wed, 12-28-2005 - 2:04pm
Personally I REALLY dislike the name Gabriel but it was my old roommates dogs name and he was nuts! That was very rude of them to make comments like that. If you like the name then go for it!
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