PopSugar

Mommy Dearest: In-Laws Call Baby by Another Name

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:08:41 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My husband and I put a lot of time into choosing our children's names. We have two boys: Matthew, 3, and August, who is 3 months old. We named our younger son for the month he was born and my in-laws have made it clear that they are not fans of the choice. That doesn't bother me, but the fact that they only refer to our baby by his middle name does. If we wanted his name to be Michael, we would have put that first on the birth certificate. What's more annoying is the fact that it is confusing our older son. Matthew doesn't understand why Grammy and Papa call August "Michael." How can I tell my in-laws to knock it off?

– Annoyed With In-Laws' Nickname

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Annoyed With In-Laws' Nickname,

As parents, you and your husband have the right to name your children whatever you choose. While your in-laws don't have to agree with the moniker, it is not their place to make up a new one for your son. Not only is it rude, but it is confusing your older boy. Politely explain this and tell them that you don't want them calling August "Michael" anymore. It's better to confront this issue now rather than later, if and when your lil guy starts responding to both names.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on our new community page.

Source: Flickr User Futurestreet

Website lil Loves: BabyNameWizard

LilSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:00:14 -0800

If you've ever spent hours pouring over baby name books, get ready to clear your calendar for the next few days. BabyNameWizard.com, the online sibling of the best-selling Baby Name Wizard book, provides visitors with access to three of the author's computer models to help find the perfect name for your lil one. Through Namipedia, you can discover a favorite name's meaning, popularity and origins. The NameVoyager allows you to determine the popularity of names beginning with specific letters over the past 120 years, while the NameMapper tracks the popularity of a specific name in each state over the past 60 years. I've found myself plugging in every name I know, just to see what pops up. Don't say we didn't warn you, this site is addictive!

The Art of Naming Baby

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:00:42 -0700

Choosing a moniker for your mini me can turn into a big mess if you don't abide by the unwritten rules. A whopping 42 percent of lilsugar readers said they have fallen victim to baby namenapping. Parents are free to pick any name for their offspring, but if you don't want to offend anyone, you might try following these guidelines. To check out the etiquette, read more.

If a family member has long coveted a certain name, don't even entertain the idea of using it.
If a family member plans on honoring a deceased relative by making their future baby a namesake, choose another one.
If juniors run in the fam and you want to name your son after your single brother, ask him if he minds before bestowing the honor.
If a relative gave their child a moniker you admire, ask permission to duplicate the name.
If calling names is common practice in your circle of friends, choose one for a girl and another for a boy; it isn't fair if anyone has dibs on a dozen.
If a person cherishes a name for sentimental reasons, respect that and select another.

Is there any practice you preach?

Tell Mommy: Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Baby Name?

LilSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:00:46 -0700

If you don't happen to be part of Hollywood's elite, who seem to be allowed to pick wild and crazy baby names, choosing a complicated or nontraditional name can insight all kinds of chatter among friends and family.

Of course, it's not just gossip new parents have to worry about. Just ask Chris Okum, the author of Seriously Bad Baby Names. What if you name your child something that rhymes with a body part, dirty act or funny historical character?

I just assume most parents are highly selective and thoughtful about what they name their children, so I always try and embrace new baby names with the understanding that it's just a name - and no matter what, the child will grow into it. Then again, I don't know a Richard Boutiekiss. Do you think there is such a thing as a bad baby name? And if so, what is it?

Would You Let Your Kids Name Your New Baby?

LilSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0800

Last night on 17 Kids and Counting the Duggars took a family vote on what to name baby number 18. While Jim Bob joked that his vote was worth 20 and Michelle's should be worth 40, they ended up naming their new bundle of joy Jordyn-Grace Makiya by popular demand. Do you (or did you) give your children a choice in naming their siblings?

Would You Use an Old Name?

babysugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:00:05 -0700

Many people dream about their children's names long before they are married or pregnant. One lady I know had all three of her tot's names picked out years before she met her spouse. She's quick to admit that he was just incidental in the grand scheme of her parenting plan.

But what happens when you have planned your life out so well and then things go awry? What if you and your ex-boyfriend picked "Isabel" as your favorite girl's name? Does that mean it's off limits when you actually have a baby with another partner? Or, would you still keep it on your list?

Have You Fallen Victim to Baby Namenapping?

LilSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:00:25 -0800

If you want to talk about drama for baby mamas, bring up names. From name changing to name stealing, monikers have become a big to do. Emotions often run high when couples finally come up with a name they can agree on only to have it swiped by a friend, family member or acquaintance.

Where do you stand on this issue?

Which Name Will Become More Popular?

babysugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:00:12 -0700

Celebrities influence us whether we like to admit it or not. Moms buy the hippest strollers or trendiest shoes based on what some of Hollywood's "coolest" moms have purchased and the same goes for names. While some monikers may be too customized to their new owners, others are guaranteed to be copied by the masses.

Out of these baby names, which one do you think will see a spike in popularity based on the next Social Security report?
Source

When Is a Name Off Limits?

babysugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:00:18 -0700

I'm going to be bold and assume that Bronx Mowgli was not on Jessica Simpson's short list of names for her future children. I'll also go out on a limb and speculate that Angelina and Brad won't call a hypothetical seventh child Jennifer. But would it be inappropriate for Courteney Cox and David Arquette to have a son and name the baby Brad? It's one thing to rule out your own ex when it comes to naming a baby, but what about a best friend's old beau? Parents trying to choose a name for their newest family member often cross names off a list due to past relationships, tainted associations, or fear of namenapping. While there seem to be a few general rules that parents-to-be should stick to when brainstorming baby names, many pay no attention and use the moniker they like best regardless of their peers' feelings or input.

Did Nicole Name Her Daughter to Spite Scientology?

babysugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:01:00 -0700

I'm not buddies with Nicole Kidman or Matthew McConaughey, but I'll admit it's kind of fun learning what they named their children. While Levi was greeted with cheers, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban's moniker was received with mixed emotion. After much curiosity, elated grandfather Antony revealed the meaning behind the babe's name. He told Sydney's Daily Telegraph:

I have read a bit about Sunday Reed and her husband John – she was a key mover and shaker in the arts around the beginning of the century. . . The name Sunday struck me as being a nice name for a woman, so my wife and I mentioned it.

Not surprisingly, some doubters are already speculating other reasons for the name. To see what one source says, read more.

The Huffington Post wonders if the statuesque beauty didn't pick the name Sunday as an insult to her ex–husband Tom Cruise's religion Scientology. The site quotes a source from MSNBC:

Nicole is a Catholic, and Sunday was an important religious day for her until she was involved in Scientology. She's still bitter about her experience with Scientology and the fact her baby's name could be perceived as one last jab doesn't exactly upset her.

I have a hard time believing the blissful couple would be revengeful when naming their newborn baby. What do you think of the name–jabbing theory?

Source