'Entitled' woman wants to approve name for her grandchild but there's one problem

Daily Mirror

19-07-2025

When it comes to baby names, loved ones often shared their opinions with expecting parents - even if unwanted. One grandma-to-be insists has given an expecting couple a list of 'approved' names
A woman has shared their fury as their aunt and come up with a strict baby name list for her grandchild - and will give it to the parents-to-be. Choosing a name for your newborn is one of the most significant decisions new parents will make. Some have known from a young age what names they want to use, while others spend years thinking about it.
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Some prefer traditional names, while others are inspired by their favourite celebrities or characters, and some desire their child's name to be the only one of its kind heard in the playground. What is for sure, is that everyone has different name likes and dislikes, and expecting parents are bound to receive unsolicited opinions.
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But one family member is upset by the way her aunt has acted as her cousin and his wife as expecting a baby girl soon. She is fed up of her interfering with their choice of baby name. Anonymously, she explained in a Reddit threat recently what has happened.
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She said her aunt has been acting "so ridiculous and entitled".
She said her cousin and his wife want to name their baby Summer, however at the expecting mother's baby shower she overheard that the aunt will be sending her son - the baby's father - a list of names "approved by her." But there's a problem - the baby's grandmother only likes "traditional" and "pretentious" names.
The annoyed cousin of the dad-to-be said: "Her kids all have very traditional WASP-y names (think Suzanne, Richard etc) so there is currently a secret betting pool among me, my mother and other aunt as to how vanilla and bland - or pretentious - the name will be, and whether or not her own name will be on the list."
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She noted that other family members have even been putting bets on.
"Oh, we're going to need to see this list once you get your hands on a copy!," commented one. Another noted: "Luckily, unless auntie has custody of the child, her list will probably be unenforceable."
One shared what they would do in this scenario, and said: "I'd read the list just to make sure I would not accidentally choose any of the names on the list."
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One suggested the couple should keep the peace, but ultimately choose a name they want. They suggested: "Well, that's nice. She can have a list. She can send it to him. He and his wife can thank her for the suggestions and disregard them."
One individual who can relate to this scenario, commented and said: "My sister gave me a list of names I was not allowed to use for my daughter's middle name. She tried to add the name Quinn to said list when our Grandma expressed how much she liked that name."
She added: "She was calling dibs on a bunch of girl names because she has her own issues and felt a need to control something. My pregnancy wasn't planned as I was really early 20s and not in a relationship with my daughter's father so I was already dealing with stress from my parents. I didn't fight when she initially made that list which was your more traditional names of Elizabeth, Grace, Marie, etc."
One pointed out: "I understand wanting to talk and discuss names for your grandchild, but, it should be in a nice way, not in a 'this is my list of approved names'."