Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:28     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
Anonymous wrote:It's weird that people's extremely strong opinions on names only apply to baby names though. It is pretty rare that I hear a negative opinion on an actual person's name. Even when the name is kind of out there, people are polite. I know a Fiona in real life and no one has ever said "Like from Shrek????" about her.

I think people get in their heads about baby names because you are considering them in a vacuum, so they develop very strong feelings. But then you meet an actual person with that name and it's like "oh yeah, that's pretty." People stop being weird about it.


Right! My dd's close friend is Fiona. Fiona from Shrek hasn't really crossed my mind. If anything I remember thinking it was a very Irish name and assuming they had Irish heritage. It's pretty
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:26     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
Anonymous wrote:It's weird that people's extremely strong opinions on names only apply to baby names though. It is pretty rare that I hear a negative opinion on an actual person's name. Even when the name is kind of out there, people are polite. I know a Fiona in real life and no one has ever said "Like from Shrek????" about her.

I think people get in their heads about baby names because you are considering them in a vacuum, so they develop very strong feelings. But then you meet an actual person with that name and it's like "oh yeah, that's pretty." People stop being weird about it.


Yeah. It’s like I hated the McMansion built on my street but once someone moved into it there was a real person attached to it and I didn’t mind it quite so
much.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:18     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
It's weird that people's extremely strong opinions on names only apply to baby names though. It is pretty rare that I hear a negative opinion on an actual person's name. Even when the name is kind of out there, people are polite. I know a Fiona in real life and no one has ever said "Like from Shrek????" about her.

I think people get in their heads about baby names because you are considering them in a vacuum, so they develop very strong feelings. But then you meet an actual person with that name and it's like "oh yeah, that's pretty." People stop being weird about it.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:11     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
Anonymous wrote:Everyone has preferences


Why can't people express preferences politely.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:10     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
I mean most of those opinions don’t seem OTT this me. A lot of people in the US will associate Fiona with Shrek. Victoria may end up with a nn Vicky, and Jessica was a very popular name in the 80s. Whether any of that matters to you is up to you.

I would never ask for feedback in names and I like to think I wouldn’t give negative feedback to a mom but sometimes people don’t apply ordinary rules of courtesy to family members.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 09:08     Subject: Why do some people find something wrong with every name?
I think Americans in general like giving their opinion. We spend a lot of time thinking about our own opinions and also our own personal "style". Names somehow touch on both of those things.

I had the worst time naming my kids and my mom said some awful things (after the babies were already born!). I regret my 1st baby's name deeply.