Why are people so critical of other's baby names?

Question

Recently I answered the question "What names have you chosen for your baby?" My answer was Brooklynn Elizabeth. After I gave my answer, the same person asked, "Why do people name their children after places?" She then continued to say that she was from Brooklyn and named her dog Brooklyn, but would never name a person after a place, that its tacky, etc. Personally, I would never criticize a name choice. In our situation, a really good friend of ours was killed in a car accident last January. His name is Nate, but he moved here from Brooklyn when he was 12, and ALWAYS talked about Brookly, so years ago, that became his nickname. When we found out in June that we were having a baby, we both knew we wanted to honor our friend, and immediately chose the names Nathan and Brooklynn in his honor. So, although I'm not generally sensitive to criticism, this really hurt me. Please be sensitive to other's name choices, you never know why they are choosing the name...

Answer 1

It seems some are misunderstanding this post just as much as your original response may have been taken out of context, unfortunately.

Point is, you AREN'T looking for opinions on the name already-chosen for your daughter -- whether they be completely negative, intentionally constructive or overly supportive. Just as you weren't looking for anyone's opinion originally. If I understand correctly, you simply responded to someone ELSE's question asking what names others has chosen, and had your daughter's name criticized. And I can certainly understand how that might come across as unnecessarily rude and hurtful.

However, that's exactly why I don't post my children's names in a public forum. ;) After all, they're already named. No point in getting anyone's opinion on them, right? Honestly, the oldest is nearly seven ... not like I'll be changing her name anytime soon, regardless of how many like or dislike it! LOL

And while I don't generally request feedback on any of the names we've considered for this child, I do realize that if I happen to post a few in a favorites list (in response to someone else's question) or mention that I've considered the same name in my comments to someone with similar taste, it's likely I might get a few thumbs down from others with completely different styles. And that's okay. After all, someone who prefers trendy or misspelled names wouldn't likely get excited over an underused classic. Just as one who loves, say, Italian or German names might not be intrigued by the look or sound of an authentically Celtic choice. It's all a matter of taste, and I'm definitely comfortable with the fact that many don't share mine! After all, if someone prefers real, but not overused, names, it follows that they wouldn't actually want a majority of people to love those same names -- or they wouldn't remain underused for very long. ;)

Fact is, it doesn't matter if I adore Brooklynn and think it utterly unique and interesting or, conversely, think it a trendy, overused, meaningless choice (assuming, of course, I wouldn't have known the meaning behind it in the original post you're referring to). ;) If you were asking for opinions, I'd give them as honestly -- but tactfully -- as possible. But if you simply happened to post the name in a reply such as the one detailed above -- not as a suggestion to anyone else, or looking for feedback in any way -- I simply wouldn't have commented on it in any context. Simple as that.

Answer 2

I am sorry to hear of your recent mishap with concerning baby names. I LOVE the name Brooklynn Elizabeth! My middle name is Elizabeth, as is every female in my family and since I can remember I have always adored the name Brooklyn... As I love the name Memphis, Dallas, Austin,and Geargia amongst many others names of places and things. You are entitled to name your child as you see fit. After all she is your child. I gave birth to 8 children (only 7 of them are living now). 5 girls and 3 boys. All there names begin with "K" and All of them have 2 middle names. So people give me a hard time about my kids names being long and all of them starting with the same letter. I dont think having a long name is big deal.
I have heard of many people naming there kids after regular words/cities/months. These names are not so taboo any more.
On the same note, Yahoo! Answers, is an open forum. So anything you place here is open to others thoughts and opinions. Good, Bad or indifferent.

Seven
Wednesday
September
November
May
April
Autumn
Summer
Willow
Winter
Colt
Blaze
Stinger
Striker
Sailor
Hunter
River
Rusty
Blade
Rock
Ryder
Stoney
And.... CANNON

Dallas
Austin
Memphis
Georgia
Miami
Tex

Oh... I forgot about this family that lived down the street from me when I was growing up. We called them "The Weather kids"

Sandy
Stormy
Windy
Summer
And there little brother "Cloud"

Answer 3

Well, I'm pretty sure this whole forum is mostly about giving opinions (especially about baby names), and if you don't want to hear the bad, then don't post on here!

I understand that people have their reasons for giving their child a certain name, but I'm not going to sugarcoat what I say if I don't like it.... and most of the time I don't care for the crap people are putting on here that they want to name their children.

I hate hearing the same names used over and over and over again... I know I'm very critical when I answer, and I don't care.

Take the name Jacob - I consider Jake a dog's name.... I'm not against "place" names, I have a niece named Madison and a nephew named Dakota, but some others I really dislike, and unfortunatley Brooklyn is one of them.... but do you really care what I think?

Answer 4

Eh, people are *******. I'm pregnant and I would never put the name my hubbie and I chose on here because I know there would be a few "that's lame" comments. It doesn't matter where you go or who you talk to , everyone has an opinion whether you asked for it or not. Just tell everyone that you're naming your daughter Laverne or Harriet. Wait until your daughter is born to unleash the name that you chose. It's a lot more taboo to criticize a name once the baby is born.

Answer 5

I understand what you are saying and its nice that you wanted to honor your friend, but you have to realize that people are entitled to their opinions as well. This is a question and answer board where you don't even know the people you are having discussions with. Now if you were at your dinner table and a family member said something like that to you that would be different, but while it would be nice for everyone to have class and couth and respect on here, it just isn't going to happen.
I like the name Brooklynn Elizabeth by the way.

Answer 6

Really, you are putting yourself out there for criticism when you ask about a baby's name. People don't know anything about you or your reason for naming your child. I'll usually pick a name or like out of the choices given. Some are just so awful that I can't comment, so I don't answer. All that matters is that you like the name. And by the way, I do like Brooklyn, it's pretty. People have named their children Dakota, Georgia, Paris (sorry) - and they're really is nothing wrong with it.

Answer 7

Yes, I totally agree. That person didn't know what the meaning of the name was, so you can't expect them to be understanding of that. But I think that no one should criticize any name because it, obviously, holds a special place in the mother and father's heart. By the way, I love the name Brooklynn!

Answer 8

properly, I trust a number of those human beings. Jadeline is the suited. Push her on that one. additionally, push for a competent center call! lots of folk finally end up being spoke of as their center call for lifestyles! it will be difficult --- ok, impossible to cajole her that her call alternatives are undesirable. So purely attempt to push her in direction of the suited one! definite, the youngster would be teased approximately their call regardless of if that's Iccaleika ... and that they won't have the skill to spell it on their own until eventually they are in Grade 4 LOL. and that they won't in any respect go somebody or get a telephone call and have somebody pronounce their call appropriate ... it will be a soreness for something of their lifestyles. My call is Sara. the main trouble-free spelling is Sarah. all the way by using college human beings spelled my call incorrect and it particularly afflicted me. at last whilst i replace into older i finished getting disillusioned approximately it. in spite of the incontrovertible fact that, it nonetheless occurs each and every of the time and that i purely forget approximately approximately it now. i'm unable to think of how complicated it could be to could spell out Iccalleika for individuals each and every of the time! And there particularly isn't a competent nickname for that LOL. Icky?

Answer 9

If som ask what name you did you give your baby, you are right, it is not nice on saying a name is bad

I do not understand those question, why do you care what I name my child

I as do not understan What type of person do you think of when you hear this name

I have answer one of those questions, it turn out to be a teenager with the name, and got very upset with what people was saying.

Next time, do not answer those questions
Why do people care?

My mom's name was Julia Elizabeth, she has 3 grandchild, 1 niece, and several grand nieces with a verison of the name
She died when I was a child. My daughter middle is Elizabeth
Do not worry what people say. I see a lot of names I would never name my child.

Answer 10

As long as you are happy with the name choice, then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.
Brooklynn is a unique name with purpose and meaning to you, which makes it beautiful to you. There is no need to explain why you named your daughter that.
Don't second guess your decision or feel hurt by a faceless person randomly giving their opinion on this forum.