Don't go all upset and emotional about the exclusion line as one PP suggested. Dumb approach. If he cared about that he wouldn't go on.

I'd say "We're just providing a few fresh options for future generations of this family who want to name their kids after more up-to-date people who made inspiring contributions to sociality and this gene pool. "

He's just trying to wind you up. Best thing to do with people like that is to throw it back at them.

Discount any of this if one of your kids is called Larla.

Yeah, I'd want to punch him for this. I'm not a huge fan of my in-laws, and they sound like they'd get along with yours.

How do others in the room react when he says this? I ask because I'm sort of torn between the "just ignore, he's a nitwit" advice and the "direct confrontationl" advice. If everyone else in your family rolls their eyes and changes the topic, then he's just a sad old man with one sad old joke, and everyone finds him ridiculous. If you feel you aren't getting that kind of support from the rest of the family though, it might be worth addressing more directly. As PP mentioned, if you did so, you might find that he'd be too embarrassed to repeat the behavior.

I'd completely ignore him. Completely. He'll eventually stop.

My mother was pissed that I didn't name her only grandson after my father who passed away. I loved my Dad, he was the best father in the world but I couldn't stand his first name - George. She was all pouty for a few weeks until I threatened that she'd never see her grandchild unless she started calling him by his real name. Lo' and behold, her favorite grandkid to this day

Well, it is pretty much true. You could explain why you picked the names you did or you could just not pick this battle.

Anonymous wrote:Any chance they're biblical? "Yup, we made them up from the Bible." Or, "Actually, King James made them up." Guess you could try that with classic novels too.

My FIL is big into passive aggression too. Example: "Where's the Giants game?" [I'm a Redskins fan.] "Because it's on a different channel."

Er, "it's on a different channel." You get the idea. Sigh. Yay for Friday.

Anonymous wrote:We were going to name them after you, dear FIL, but couldn't decide which would be "ass" and which would be "hole".

Funny!

You know how when your kids come home and say X was teasing me? And then you say, "Well, you have to learn to ignore X?" Or maybe you say, "X keeps doing it because he sees that he's getting a rise out of you."

It's good advice.

You know you screwed up just say you are sorry.

Any chance they're biblical? "Yup, we made them up from the Bible." Or, "Actually, King James made them up." Guess you could try that with classic novels too.

My FIL is big into passive aggression too. Example: "Where's the Giants game?" [I'm a Redskins fan.] "Because it's on a different channel."

Not small potatoes, because Grandpa is actually using this naming thing to exclude your children.

Respond immediately with : "Every time you say that, it creates an artificial separation between my children and your other grandkids, just because of their names. It's exclusionary, so please stop."
Conversational tone, look him in the eye, speak clearly. Hopefully he'll be embarrassed in front of everyone, grumble that he didn't mean it, and never say it again.

Anonymous wrote:We were going to name them after you, dear FIL, but couldn't decide which would be "ass" and which would be "hole".

While, this may feel good, I am sure you are jesting.
How about, “Yes, and their names reflect the unique individuals that they are.”

Anonymous wrote:We were going to name them after you, dear FIL, but couldn't decide which would be "ass" and which would be "hole".

Comment of the day.

Anonymous wrote:We were going to name them after you, dear FIL, but couldn't decide which would be "ass" and which would be "hole".

Lol

We were going to name them after you, dear FIL, but couldn't decide which would be "ass" and which would be "hole".

My kids are two of many grandchildren on my husband's side. All of the grand kids except ours have family names. FWIW, our kids have traditional names, they just aren't named after anyone.

Whenever there is a lull in conversation, it seems my FIL will go down the line like this: 'John was named after great uncle John. Little Joey is the fourth Joey in our family. Susie has grandma's middle name... And let's see.... Andrew and Mary (my kids)... Hmmmm... Oh, that's right, your parents just make up names!".

This is small potatoes, but is getting under my skin.

Any ideas of a good comeback that doesn't sound too snappish?