Woman Tears Up After Her Dad Is The Only One To Care For Her After Labor, Names Baby After Him
Interview With AuthorChoosing the right name for a baby is probably one of the toughest decisions that parents have to make. And probably a decision that very often leads to fights – whether both parents have different favorite names that sometimes may make it seem impossible to make a joint decision, or whether other family members get offended by the name choice.
And the reasons may vary – maybe they have a strong opinion about the chosen name, they think it’s not suitable for the baby or, as it happened in one Redditor’s story, they wanted the baby to be named after them, but instead it was given another relative’s name.
More info: Reddit
Naming a baby is a tough decision and pressure from other family members doesn’t make it easier
Image credits: Carlos Santiago (not the actual photo)
Woman shares that she just had twins and the labor was a nightmare – so when the couple’s families were able to visit, everyone was fussing over the babies
Image credits: Creab ThePolymath (not the actual photo)
However, her dad sat by her and made sure she was taken care of after the long labor – so after a few days, the woman decided she would give her son her dad’s name
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
Her husband agreed with this idea, but when her FIL found out, he was pissed – he said this was something that he had always wanted and that it was unfair
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The couple were called jerks for doing this as her FIL has always wanted grandkids to be named after him and they were taking this away from him
Recently, one Reddit user shared her story online asking for community members’ opinions on whether she was being a jerk for naming her son after her father instead of her father-in-law, despite the latter always wanting it. The post caught a lot of folks’ attention and collected over 8.2K upvotes and almost 2K comments.
The original poster (OP) starts her story by explaining that she just had twins and the labor was extremely difficult. When the families were finally able to visit, everyone was fussing over the babies and the woman’s husband. However, her dad sat by her first and made sure she was taken care of. After this, OP emphasized that she kept thinking about him and decided to give her son his name as his middle name.
OP’s husband was totally on board with this; however, after FIL found out, he caused quite some family drama. The woman gave a little bit of background, explaining that her FIL has always wanted a grandkid named after him and the couple had already promised to give the same initials as his to their son.
Also, her mother-in-law stood by her husband and told the couple that they were being jerks for doing this to the FIL just because OP’s dad had done something ‘unusual,’ which, to them, was ignoring the babies.
The community members backed up the woman and gave her the ‘Not the A-hole’ badge in this situation. “Why would you want to name a child after this man? His behavior is terrible and I wouldn’t want a reminder of this person every time I wrote my kid’s full name,” one user wrote. “NTA, namesakes should be given based on the good and positive merits of the person in question. Your dad sounds like a sweetie pie and I love what he did for you,” another added.
Image credits: Dragos Gontariu (not the actual photo)
“I think that what led me to feeling like naming my son after my dad was the right choice was because after my birth when I finally got to go back home, my father made sure I was looked after,” shared the OP with Bored Panda.
She added that her husband was juggling his parents, a postpartum wife and two tiny babies, so having her dad there took the load off him too. “I just realized how valuable my dad was in that moment and how great he had been for my whole life,” she emphasized.
We asked OP what was her husband’s initial reaction when she suggested naming her son after her father instead of his father, and she explained that he was alright with it. “He loves my dad too so it didn’t bother him.”
Finally, speaking about the importance for her father-in-law to have a grandkid named after him, she noted that she can’t think of any underlying reasons for such behavior. She added that she can’t imagine why having a namesake grandson would be that important to somebody.
Image credits: Edwin Ariel Valladares (not the actual photo)
Moreover, we got in touch with SJ Strum, baby name expert & celebrity name consultant. She kindly agreed to share her insights about the trend of naming children after grandparents and how it has evolved over time, potential drawbacks and some creative adaptations of grandparents’ names that parents use for their children.
“Traditional name conventions aren’t as popular with modern parents as they were a few generations ago; including passing names down a family,” SJ shared. “We speak to lots of parents-to-be who worry that their decision will cause tension and upset older generations, but who also feel robbed of the chance to pick their own baby’s name (in the case of every son having the name Frank or middle name of their grandparent).”
She pointed out that sometimes it’s the style of the name, but even more importantly, it’s parents’ modern values to raise their children as individuals. “In the past, we expected children to ‘follow in their parents’ footsteps’ or stay in the ‘family business’ and having a matching name was how we carried that on.” However, nowadays that’s less of a criteria, so there is a big shift away from passing on names.
Now, speaking about common issues that come with naming kids after grandparents, SJ pointed out that offending one side of the family, as it happened in the story, isn’t uncommon. “One way of sidestepping is to blend a name so two grandparents’ names could be combined into a new middle name, for instance, or using two middle spots.”
SJ added that there is also the reverse, with the new parents arguing with siblings about who gets to use their grandparents’ name! “The family tree is a lovely place to look for name inspiration, but we’ve seen sisters doing battle over the name Rose after a beloved grandmother and even heard from siblings who have discussed and agreed on who gets which grandparents name before they even have children!”
The name expert emphasized that she has also heard of living relatives who have been honored feel upset that they share their name – “one was a fallout after the honored relative kept getting called ‘big Sarah’ or ‘old Sarah’ after her name was used again for a baby born into the family and it had really ruffled feathers.”
Finally, we asked SJ to share some common variations or creative adaptations of grandparents’ names that she has observed parents using for their children – “Vintage nicknames as first names are booming in the charts as they ‘upcycle’ vintage names.” She added that mixing gender is really lovely – for example, Sandy for a boy honoring Sandra or Bertie for a girl, in honor of Albert.
“Playful vintage names are the next trend for 2024 with Kitty, Mitch, Howie, Marty, Gigi, Joanie. All hitting name lists in honor of loved ones but with a dusting of modern aesthetic and a nod to a more playful and child-centric era of parenting.”
And of course – don’t forget to check out SJ’s podcast Baby Name Envy in which she and her sister Naomi address real baby name drama and dilemmas and choosing stunning names for troubled mums-to-be! Also, check out her website, Instagram and YouTube channel!
Image credits: Pixabay (not the actual photo)
“Naming children after family members — particularly grandparents or great-grandparents — is a common practice among many cultural groups. Historically, this has been especially common for baby boys, who were more likely to be given names that reinforced their bloodlines than baby girls,” said Sophie Kihm, Editor-in-Chief at Nameberry, to Bored Panda.
She emphasized that particularly in the US, UK, and Australia, there’s been a shift towards using meaningful middle names that are not overtly connected to family members. “Parents are increasingly choosing word names like Love, River, or even Thirteen — the middle name of Kourtney Kardashian’s son Rocky, the thirteenth Kardashian grandchild — for their babies.”
Sophie pointed out that today, it is actually very uncommon for parents to use the name of a grandparent as the first name for their baby. This is mostly style-based — the names of the grandparent generation don’t sound fresh or appropriate for a child today. “As the name pool has diversified and society has moved more towards individualism, the appeal of using a grandparent’s name as a child’s first name has waned,” she explained.
Moreover, speaking about potential drawbacks of using a grandparent’s name for a child’s first name is style. Sophie noted that these names are likely to feel outdated. “But the primary drawback of using a grandparent’s name in the middle is, as OP exemplified, jealousy and fairness. Some grandparents may feel hurt if their name is not chosen as the honor name, which can lead to family arguments as it did in the case of this Reddit user.”
Finally, she shared with us that parents who want to name their children after grandparents are getting creative these days. “We’ve seen parents use a grandparent’s nickname as the first or middle name for their child, or a more modern variation of a grandparent’s name.”
“We’ve come across multiple parents who have used the name Stevie for their daughters to honor Grandpa Steve, for example. Other parents choose to honor grandparents in a less overt way — choosing the middle name Lavender to honor a grandparent’s love of the color purple, or naming their child after the street a grandparent grew up on,” Sophie emphasized.
Check out Nameberry where you can find baby names by the experts, including popular names, unique names, baby girl names, baby boy names and gender neutral names too! And what do you think about this situation? Was the couple in the wrong for not naming their baby after the father-in-law? Share your thoughts below!
Redditors assured the woman that she had done everything right and sympathized for her dad
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Speaking as a man of the father-in-law's generation, I can understand his desire to have his grandson named after him, and I can understand him being disappointed when it didn't happen. What I can't understand is making a big deal about it instead of keeping his mouth shut and being happy he had healthy grandchildren. He's a self-centered jackass.
My MIL told me that when she named my husband and stuck Junior at the end, she also named my son the Third. Nope. We didn't want kids. Didn't have kids. But, if I had had a son, I would have given him his very own name.
Oh a lizard would be perfect and make sure you refer to it, by name, several times wherever he visits.
Load More Replies...When will entitled people get a grip. It does not take a Village to name a child, it should always be a choice of the child's parents and only the child's parents. However, on that the parents should go with a name that will not cause embarrassment for the child as they go through there life and certainly as when they become an adult. This FIL needs to accept that his son and dil are in the right and back the f off
Because FIL is being misogynistic and a pr!ck and treating OP like a baby factory. She owes him nothing
Load More Replies...My dad's mom never cared about me (f) having kids she only cared about my brother having kids. Why because they would carry on the family surname. My dad is an only son and had only one son. She didn't get her wish. My brother never wanted kids. I had 3 miscarriages and had a hysterectomy at 30. So no grandkids. So nta. The parents of the babies chose the names. I think it's wonderful to name them after a great dad like yours. And the IL are sexists.
If FIL wants a grandson named after him, he should be the kind of man someone would want to name their kid after. Period.
Why do people think that that must have something important like that just because they wish it to be? I remember my FIL telling me he expected grandsons. Not only did we plan to not have kids (and we didn't) but we are also no contact with him now. Did he get grandson? Well, yes, but...one is from his stepson, and stepson and family are also no contact with him. His son by blood has two boys with a long-term partner (never married) and they are mix race (white and Latin American). I sometimes wonder how that sits with his wall-loving, immigrant-hating attitudes LOL. Be careful what you wish for!
I wouldn't want my kid's name associated with a selfish AH and be reminded of it each time I said that name. Not to mention we wouldnt want the kid modeled after someone like that.
Yeah, In laws are the worst far too many times. When I got pregnanat with my oldest, my ex's mom wanted me to get an abortion so I didn't ruin her son's life. We made it through the pregnanacy by us mostly avoiding talking to each other. But when my son was born, she came to the hospital, took my son out of my arms, forced her other two sons to hold him, which they did not want to do. The baby started to fuss to be fed, but this monster woman would not give him back to me. Cooing about her baby, that she wanted me to abort. I finally rang a nurse. Nurse cam in and I was screaming and crying. for the nurse to make that horrible woman give me back my baby, who wasn't even 24 hours old at that point, so I could feed. him. Nurse snatched the baby, told MIL to get out. After they left, I rounded on my ex. I told him under no circumstances was his mother allowed to visit the hospital again. I also told him if he didn't grow a pair and stand up to his mom about me, we were over.
From a fellow mom of b/g twins, congratulations and enjoy them! A few days after my twins were born, fil told me "the next one will get the name I want" NO WAY. I didn't like that person or the name nor was I thinking about another one with a 5 year old, 20 month old and newborn twins
I... don't give a s**t. If my daughter decides to have kids (which yes, I truly hope to live to see). I have no expectation that my name will be involved. If it is, I would be humbled and honored. If not, 🤷. I certainly would never lobby for it or b***h about it. Just don't give them a tradgeich name. That's all I hope for...
As a woman who had a traumatic birth experience, yes when tge baby has arrived it becomes the center of the world, even to you. But it's hard, exhausting, emotionally work and having someone spend that time with you and remind you that you are still important to them and they love you is so uplifting. Yes name you children after people like that, they have are great role model on the enormous amount of love we need to live in this world
I don't get the name thing, I was named for my mother as all my siblings named after other family members. It sucks - you never have your own name truly to yourself, what you get it is, you mum did thus, or aunt whatsherface did this so whatsherface junior will be the same. I get the idea of carrying names on in the family - if it suits, but think who the child is being compared to, if tge name will cause teasing as mine did as it was a very old fashioned name. Remember it's tge child who has to wear tge name. Family politics need to stay out of it
Jesus! These posts where people explain things to death to family members, trying to placate them, and in-laws who feel they “deserve” this, that, and the other thing drive me crazy! People need to do what THEY want to do and to hell with family members’ wants! Why does everyone feel the need to explain, to make people understand, by giving them so much info?! These people just went through a nightmarish trauma and now people are heaping MORE trauma on them! What the hell is wrong with people?! Keep your noses where they belong: on your faces, and not in others’ business!
Wow, appalling. Talking to your daughter-in-law after she gave birth and treating HER CHILDREN as your property that you are entitled to name? Disgusting. I don't care how old father-in-law is, someone needs to give him a serious reality check. Wait no, I do care. I love self-appointed authority figures being taken down a peg, or ten.
And no sympathy for the mother who suffered for these children to be born. But FIL wants all the credit. It's all about him, somehow. What a narcissist.
Load More Replies...I understand that it would be an honor but to expect it and then lose your mind is absolutely absurd. Bloodlines are a joke
Aww, I’m kinda tearing up now bc I feel like that’s something my dad would have done too.
Speaking as a man of the father-in-law's generation, I can understand his desire to have his grandson named after him, and I can understand him being disappointed when it didn't happen. What I can't understand is making a big deal about it instead of keeping his mouth shut and being happy he had healthy grandchildren. He's a self-centered jackass.
My MIL told me that when she named my husband and stuck Junior at the end, she also named my son the Third. Nope. We didn't want kids. Didn't have kids. But, if I had had a son, I would have given him his very own name.
Oh a lizard would be perfect and make sure you refer to it, by name, several times wherever he visits.
Load More Replies...When will entitled people get a grip. It does not take a Village to name a child, it should always be a choice of the child's parents and only the child's parents. However, on that the parents should go with a name that will not cause embarrassment for the child as they go through there life and certainly as when they become an adult. This FIL needs to accept that his son and dil are in the right and back the f off
Because FIL is being misogynistic and a pr!ck and treating OP like a baby factory. She owes him nothing
Load More Replies...My dad's mom never cared about me (f) having kids she only cared about my brother having kids. Why because they would carry on the family surname. My dad is an only son and had only one son. She didn't get her wish. My brother never wanted kids. I had 3 miscarriages and had a hysterectomy at 30. So no grandkids. So nta. The parents of the babies chose the names. I think it's wonderful to name them after a great dad like yours. And the IL are sexists.
If FIL wants a grandson named after him, he should be the kind of man someone would want to name their kid after. Period.
Why do people think that that must have something important like that just because they wish it to be? I remember my FIL telling me he expected grandsons. Not only did we plan to not have kids (and we didn't) but we are also no contact with him now. Did he get grandson? Well, yes, but...one is from his stepson, and stepson and family are also no contact with him. His son by blood has two boys with a long-term partner (never married) and they are mix race (white and Latin American). I sometimes wonder how that sits with his wall-loving, immigrant-hating attitudes LOL. Be careful what you wish for!
I wouldn't want my kid's name associated with a selfish AH and be reminded of it each time I said that name. Not to mention we wouldnt want the kid modeled after someone like that.
Yeah, In laws are the worst far too many times. When I got pregnanat with my oldest, my ex's mom wanted me to get an abortion so I didn't ruin her son's life. We made it through the pregnanacy by us mostly avoiding talking to each other. But when my son was born, she came to the hospital, took my son out of my arms, forced her other two sons to hold him, which they did not want to do. The baby started to fuss to be fed, but this monster woman would not give him back to me. Cooing about her baby, that she wanted me to abort. I finally rang a nurse. Nurse cam in and I was screaming and crying. for the nurse to make that horrible woman give me back my baby, who wasn't even 24 hours old at that point, so I could feed. him. Nurse snatched the baby, told MIL to get out. After they left, I rounded on my ex. I told him under no circumstances was his mother allowed to visit the hospital again. I also told him if he didn't grow a pair and stand up to his mom about me, we were over.
From a fellow mom of b/g twins, congratulations and enjoy them! A few days after my twins were born, fil told me "the next one will get the name I want" NO WAY. I didn't like that person or the name nor was I thinking about another one with a 5 year old, 20 month old and newborn twins
I... don't give a s**t. If my daughter decides to have kids (which yes, I truly hope to live to see). I have no expectation that my name will be involved. If it is, I would be humbled and honored. If not, 🤷. I certainly would never lobby for it or b***h about it. Just don't give them a tradgeich name. That's all I hope for...
As a woman who had a traumatic birth experience, yes when tge baby has arrived it becomes the center of the world, even to you. But it's hard, exhausting, emotionally work and having someone spend that time with you and remind you that you are still important to them and they love you is so uplifting. Yes name you children after people like that, they have are great role model on the enormous amount of love we need to live in this world
I don't get the name thing, I was named for my mother as all my siblings named after other family members. It sucks - you never have your own name truly to yourself, what you get it is, you mum did thus, or aunt whatsherface did this so whatsherface junior will be the same. I get the idea of carrying names on in the family - if it suits, but think who the child is being compared to, if tge name will cause teasing as mine did as it was a very old fashioned name. Remember it's tge child who has to wear tge name. Family politics need to stay out of it
Jesus! These posts where people explain things to death to family members, trying to placate them, and in-laws who feel they “deserve” this, that, and the other thing drive me crazy! People need to do what THEY want to do and to hell with family members’ wants! Why does everyone feel the need to explain, to make people understand, by giving them so much info?! These people just went through a nightmarish trauma and now people are heaping MORE trauma on them! What the hell is wrong with people?! Keep your noses where they belong: on your faces, and not in others’ business!
Wow, appalling. Talking to your daughter-in-law after she gave birth and treating HER CHILDREN as your property that you are entitled to name? Disgusting. I don't care how old father-in-law is, someone needs to give him a serious reality check. Wait no, I do care. I love self-appointed authority figures being taken down a peg, or ten.
And no sympathy for the mother who suffered for these children to be born. But FIL wants all the credit. It's all about him, somehow. What a narcissist.
Load More Replies...I understand that it would be an honor but to expect it and then lose your mind is absolutely absurd. Bloodlines are a joke
Aww, I’m kinda tearing up now bc I feel like that’s something my dad would have done too.
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