My partner and I spent a lot of time thinking about what to name our daughter and talked to freinds and relatives about our possible choices to see what kind of reactions we got, but would not have dreamed of asking strangers (ie the Yahoo Answers 'community') for advice on such a personal question!!
2007-01-16 02:43:06 · 25 answers · asked by Skidoo 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
Because a lot of times a name is too popular and by asking you can narrow down the ones that have been suggested too much. This is really for ideas and to see how many other people have named their children the same name as the other participants. The actual decision should be personal, however, I agree with you on that. This should only be used as a source and a brain-stormer. The result should be discussed and compared with other family members. Even with family members it often can be harder to find a name because of the pressure from close relatives, or maybe even your own parents! In the end, the decision should be made by both partners. We are looking into names and have used yahoo and other sources as ideas for now, and we want to bring family names into them as well.
2007-01-16 03:01:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that family and friends probably are much nicer when they give feedback on potential combos that expecting parents may have. Online, people tend to be more honest.
I don't think an online stranger should have a huge impact on someones baby names, but they may point out something about the name that family and friends didn't say because they didn't want to be rude. I always appreciate thoughtful responses from strangers because I'd rather know what people thought of a name idea than just naming my kid a name that people secretly will laugh at.
But responses like "I hate it" or "I like it" do nothing for me. I really look for thoughtful opinions.
2007-01-16 05:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by Verity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Asking strangers can be helpful in several ways:
1. Exposes you to new ideas that you may not have thought of before.
2. Helps you avoid names that are overly common.
3. Helps you identify problems with the name you selected that you may not have thought about. Some names may have a social stigma that you are not aware of. Right or wrong, many people want their child to have a name that is socially acceptable.
4. You may get better, objective information on what is popular and well-liked from strangers than from your friends, who may not want to hurt your feelings or have similar tastes.
Personally, I don't care what a stranger thinks, but for the reasons given above I can see why people would ask strangers.
Congratulations on your new child!
2007-01-16 02:56:51 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just to get reactions from strangers, to see how the public reacts to a certain name. That is all. I asked about a few names my husband and I had chosen, but by no means would go by what everyone here says. We also tested our families and friends out on the names too. Its just interesting to see what comments some make. It doesnt mean Im going to say, OH nobody here likes it, so I wont use it.
2007-01-16 05:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by Blondi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think having objective views on some subjects can be helpful. Maybe some families are so biased as to a certain name that they don't see what kind of torture the child might endure later on.
I have an uncle named Homer and a friend named Sophocles. I think I'd want some general input if I ever got the notion to name my child after any of these people!
2007-01-16 02:51:58 · answer #5 · answered by Dani 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a kid gets older, isn't it strangers he/she meets and judges them? Teachers, neighbors, school mates, etc are all strangers that will judge the child based on the name. So if you want to name the child a name like "Howie" because it's a family name, your family will tell you what a wonderful idea it is. But strangers might tell you that the name is awful for a grown adult.
Personally, we don't tell anyone our ideas for names, including friends and family. What we want to name our child is our business and I don't want to have my heart set on a name and have someone suggest that the name is just awful.
Also, we didn't tell anyone the name for our daughter, which was good because we changed our mind one week before she was born. What if we told everyone her name and people got her stuff at the shower with her name on it? It would have made us keep the original name, even though we don't like it anymore.
2007-01-16 04:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by happymommy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, I feel safer asking strangers! I don't want to tell our families the names we are considering. I could just imagine the comments and suggestions we would get! Not to mention feeling guilty when you refuse to consider the name your mother-in-law finds just adoreable or the one your father or mother thinks is best. Like you said, it is a personal question, so I would rather ask advice from people who will not be personally offended when I don't take it!
2007-01-16 07:56:45 · answer #7 · answered by mlee1277 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all why come on here to here criticize at all? Seriously get a life. Second of all, I think its great to ask total strangers on this format. A lot of times Family & Friends may tell you what you want to hear not what they actually think. I mean seriously would you want to tell your friend who is 7 months pregnant and totally emotional that the name she has picked out for her baby is awful, stupid, weird? I don't think so. On here people give very honest opinions kind of like the one I'm giving you... Be a little but more open minded and you may just start enjoying life alot more!
2007-01-16 05:24:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes it is nice to have an outside opinion. For instance someone asked about the name William Hillcrest and someone pointed out Hill Billy. They decided not to use it.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvpGm6OVttWheVKor7hf4grsy6IX?qid=20070107033010AA9waem&show=7#profile-info-a6211f93a2ef1c99053900805c987d7daa
I asked one for my sister because she loved the name Abigail and just couldn't think of a middle name for it that would suit her last name. It didn't take long for outsiders to mention names we had never thought of and yet loved. Some people just need a bit of help and why not? That is what this forum is for after all. It's not like they have to listen to everything everyone says; it is just advice.
2007-01-16 03:20:12 · answer #9 · answered by pebble 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some people like opinions from strangers(me included) because opinions from family can get a little too personal. my family was up for whatever, but my hubby's family had way too many opinions! name her this, name her that. why not name her after me? why not name her after this person? why not a bible name? drove me crazy. when it came down to it, my husband and i picked the name. we had the first two decided before we even had kids, it was the third that gave us issues! lol!
it always comes down to what you, the parents want, but asking for advice is never a bad idea. so good luck to anyone trying to name a child.
2007-01-16 02:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by Tracie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋