‘I’ve found a baby name I love – my partner hates it but I should get the final say’

A mum has split opinion after declaring she should get the final say over the name of her baby – even though her boyfriend isn’t keen on the moniker she’s picked

Choosing a baby name isn’t always an easy task for parents, but it’s a decision that most couples will agree should be made together – meaning that if one parent disagrees with a suggested name, then it’s out of the running.

But one mum-to-be has insisted she should be the one that has the final say over what name she and her boyfriend give their impending arrival, as she said that she’s the one who has to endure the “constant discomfort” of pregnancy.

The woman explained she is currently expecting a daughter and wants to give her an “old-fashioned” name, with Octavia being her frontrunner.

Her boyfriend, however, wants a more modern moniker for his little girl, and is keen on calling her Mikayla – which the mum can’t stand.

The debate has gotten so heated that her boyfriend’s mum is now also involved, and she has sided with her son, telling the mum-to-be that her choice is an “old lady name” that will likely see their daughter “bullied” at school.

In a post on Reddit, she said: “I am pregnant with my first child. We recently found out it was a girl and started thinking about names. My boyfriend wants to name her Mikayla. I on the other hand prefer something more old-fashioned and want to name her Octavia.

“The other day my boyfriend’s mum was over for dinner and asked us if we decided on a name yet. We told her both of our choices, and of course, she sided with my boyfriend. She said that if we name our daughter Octavia she will be bullied in school and end up hating her name.

“I told them both that ‘old lady names’ are in style right now and that her classmates will have similar names. I also said it could be way worse and that people are naming their kids some crazy things.

“They doubled down and I got frustrated, saying that I was the one who had to carry her for 9 months and should be in charge of naming her. I said it out of frustration but I do believe what I said. I’m the one who has to be in constant discomfort and I’m the one who has to experience likely the worst pain of my life while giving birth.

“His mum got upset at this and said that my boyfriend has just as much say in the name since it ‘takes 2 to tango’.

“After this, I told my boyfriend I would be willing to compromise and choose a less obvious old-fashioned name like Lilly or Ruby, but he didn’t like any of those suggestions either.”

The mum-to-be is still determined to name her child Octavia, but commenters have tried to convince her to go back to the drawing board and find a name both she and her boyfriend agree on.

One person said: “He shouldn’t have ganged up on you with his mum, but you’re simply wrong about how entitled you are to unilaterally choose the name. You’re gonna have to find a compromise somehow.”

While another added: “Names are a two-yes type of thing. You both need to agree or resentment will grow. Also as a girl with an old-fashioned name, I did get bullied for it.”

And a third wrote: “Assuming your boyfriend is going to be in your life long term as her father, yes you both should decide on a name you both like. Also, Octavia sounds like a supervillain name.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at [email protected] .