Would you let your kid name your new baby?

Question

We did this recently. My fiance' already has a little girl from a previous relationship who is now 9. I consider her my own and am willing to raise her as such. Anyways, my fiance and i just had our first together. She came up with the idea of allowing her daughter to name the new baby. I thought-why not. Shes a great kid, very creative. She picked Hannah Renae. Odd enough my fiances sister made several "comments" regarding this. Said that naming the baby should be the parents choice, not a childs choice.
Has anyone else here allowed their minor children to pick a new sibilings name? I think this was a great idea, it really helped her get excited about the new addition to the family.

She chose Hannah from her favorite TV show, Hannah Montanna. Granted, i dont like the show, but i always have liked the name Hannah. She picked Renae from her best friend at schools name.
We told her from the start not to come up with anything crazy-off the wall and that we had the final say on this. Im glad to say her first pick worked out quite well.

Answer 1

I don't see what the big deal is as long as it's not a name like crayon or scissors! Those are crazy. But Hannah Renae is a beautiful name. Why is your fiances sister so concerned, it's not her choice either. If you guys like it go with it. It's your choice. I let my mom pick the spelling for my daughters first name and I picked the names. The person that makes the final choice is you! Congrats and you can't worry about what other people say. You'll get a lot of "what people think" with a newborn. Telling you everything from feeding to what kind of pacifier. It doesn't stop. But you ignore them and as you please as long as it's in the best interest of you&fiance and the baby.

~Proud mom of a 5 1/2 month old baby girl~

Answer 2

With a 9 year old, probably. She is old enough to choose a reasonable name, like Hannah Renae. It's a nice name, by the way.
Tell your sister-in-law to be to but out. It is up to you to decide who names your child. With a big age difference like this, anything you can do to make your 9 year old feel important and involved is a good thing. It will help her bond with her baby sister.

Answer 3

I think she did a very nice job choosing a name a kid can live with.
I also think it was very kind and inclusive for you to defer to the child and show her that you both honor her so highly that you allow her to name a sibling; a truly serious and momentuous responsibility. IN some cultures naming a child borders on a holy action. You entrusted her and she came through. She knows her worth in this family and she knows her connection to her sibling.
Well done.
Naming a child IS the parents' choice: you chose to allow the sibling's help. You don't have to explain or discuss it. Simply state "we decided to let ___ choose and we think she did well."
Congratulations on your new child and your new family.
My niece knew a family who let the siblings choose- they all had really stupid names. But the key point was- they ALL had stupid names together!:)

Answer 4

Some people like your future sister in law should mind their own business! I think it's great that you allowed your older child to help with the naming of the newest member of the family. After all that's what it is about, family, the four of you, not the sister in law... We let our son help choose the name of our youngest... it was great we all worked together to find the right name for him. After all, if the siblings are old enough to help change diapers, get bottles, and comfort the younger sibling, much like a parent, then they should have the right to help name him/her.....I know my eldest son, knows his little brother better than any of our extended family.... and he has pride is telling people I am Xavier's Brother.....I think what you did was a great thing! Bravo!

Answer 5

My son chose both his younger sisters middle names. I named my older daughter after my best friend and then he came up with the middle name. My youngest daughter's dad picked her first name and then my son her middle name. As long as you are happy with the name there is nothing wrong with it. It makes the child feel like they are part of the whole process instead of on the outside looking in. My daughters think it's special their brother cared enough to help name them.

Answer 6

Congrats on the new arrival.

I think you did a wonderful thing by letting your stepdaughter choose the name (and she chose a vey lovely name at that)

I suppose if the name was a weird one then obviously you and your partner would not use it, but you allowed her to be a part of it and being 9 (she will feel very special) and will feel a close bond to the new baby (coz she chose the name)

How cute!

Answer 7

I think it is a wonderful Idea and a great way for the older child to feel like they have an input on the new baby. My friend's son, who was 4, picked her new son's middle name. My son is 2 so I think if I let him decide I would be having a Sponge Bob or Elmo. LOL

And BTW, it is a beautiful name, she did a good job.

Answer 8

Another option would be to let her pick the middle name. Or, give her two options that you and your fiancee chose together. That way she's getting some say but not all of it. This will set the tone of the entire relationship for these children-the older child will try to control the new baby and you don't want that. Let her be a participant, but not the boss. Good luck!

Answer 9

don't see a problem with that. Your sister in law is out of line making comments about your family.
Most children that age have a favourite name - my girls both had names picked out for their own children at that age.... if you make it clear that it is still up for discussion and you will accept the child's input - I don't see a problem with it.

Answer 10

My mom let my sister give me my middle name and I have came to like it. It is really up to you. But I would say God forbid that just incase youbreak up make sure that youcan dealwith a nother man's child naming your child, if that is fine with you then let her. Just makes sure it is not anything crazy...that you would not like at all. I like Hannah.