Why so secretive about your baby names?

Question

This has been an ongoing annoyance with someone I know, and I have just come to this annoyance anew...

When asking an expecting couple about what baby names they have chosen, the only answer I've heard from a particular couple is: "Oh, we have some names narrowed down, but we're not sure yet." And that is -all- they say! Which never leads one to ask, "Well, which names do you have picked out?" Because it's obvious the couple wants to keep it a secret.

It's like, "What! Do you see me about to give birth too, that I am asking you because I want to steal one of the names you have picked out??"

Duh!

Why are some couples crazy about keeping future baby names secret?

Answer 1

I don't know! I love to hear what people plan to call their children and will always react positively (even if I'm not too sure myself...)

My Nanna would not even let us tell her what names we had chosen, she wanted it to be a surprise, bless her.

We are currently planning number 4 and they will be called Timothy Jacob or Meg Catherine for your information lol!  

Answer 2

Cuz its THEIR childs name and i remember when i was pregnant people would ask us what names we had picked out and then when i would tell them they would be like, "that, why that, its so____ or so____" i think thats why they give you that answer.  

Answer 3

when we pick out the name for our lil boy or girl, im gonna tell people...i want monogrammed gifts at the shower!! =] haha

Answer 4

I preferred to not disclose our name choices when I was pregnant because I didn't want a lot of input from people.  They were the names my husband and I decided on, and we weren't going to change them, no matter what.

It turns out that my instinct was justified, because when my mother in-law heard what our boys name was, she said "Oh, don't name him that!"  Mind you, this was right after I had said that the only reason we hadn't discussed names with anyone was BECAUSE WE WEREN'T LOOKING FOR ANY INPUT!!  LOL!

Answer 5

They probably don't want anyone to talk them out of it. Or they might not want anyone to steal the name. I've known of a few people who had their baby name stolen.  

Answer 6

same reason some people want to shout it to the world....personal preference. maybe they aren't really sure what name they want and don't want people to get used to a name and then they change it when the baby comes out. maybe one day they like the name one day they don't.  perhaps they just don't want any opinions on names from anyone except their significant other.  there's so many reasons a couple would want to keep that between themselves

Answer 7

They don't want their name to be stolen or they want it to be a surprise

Answer 8

Many people don't want to hear the negative reactions of others.  

Answer 9

when i was pregnant with baby number 1 i remember telling my neighbour the two names i picked..one for a boy and one for a girl.. i had a boy so i kept the other name an option for the next child i will have..my neighbour got pregnant when my son was 3 months old and she named her child the girl name i wanted to name my baby..i always remember having this conversation that how much i like that name and its soo pretty and cute..i was soo pissed..now i am pregnant with my baby number 2 and i know its a girl though its too early to tell (im 9 weeks now) i am looking at names and it is a complete headache for me..i have decided to keep it quite this time..

Answer 10

They're probably scared someone will use the names for they're own children.

Choosing the perfect name isn't that easy...

Answer 11

Sometimes it's because they want it to be a surprise.  There's nothing wrong with wanting to introduce your new baby to the world and no one knows his/her name yet.  It's kind of exciting!

Answer 12

At first I shared the names we liked, I had no problem with it.  THen as time goes on, you get really sick and tired of hearing from the people who asked you "Oh I dont like that name" or "you're kid is going to get made fun of" etc...  People act like they have a choice in the matter by making opinions like that.  I just started telling people "we dont know yet" because I got so sick of hearing their pointless opinions.  Atleast when the baby is born and already named, people tend to keep their mouths shut.

Answer 13

lots of people dont want to hear people's opinions. cuz if someone they trust hates the name, they'll be really unsure of themselves. also, if, for example, someone is naming their kid brandon, people will be like, "oh, i like brayden better" or "choose jake as the middle name! it will go perfectly!" this is just too complicated and adds unneeded stress to the future parents' lives.

Answer 14

they dont want the name to be judged!

Answer 15

I can understand why. I'm trying to get pregnant and have been thinking about names for a while. I know some people out there that like to steal names just to spite people (I could totally see someone from my husband's family doing this? so this could be one reason. You don't want to spend countless hours looking for a name just so someone else can use it. Also, they might have a name they love and they don't want other people trying to influence them, give unwanted opinions, or trying to convince them not to use the name. One last reason could be that they don't want people calling the unborn baby by one name and then later change their minds.  

Answer 16

I have a friend that just had a baby and they didnt want to tell anyone the names that they had picked out because they didnt want to hear that "that was my aunts daughters friends dogs name" or whatever... They just didnt want any opinion that would possibly change the names that they had picked out.

Answer 17

Because I would think that the names they have picked out are special to them only for the sake of:father's name, mother's name(family name) and most people for one reason or another is always protective of their family name,I'm sure if you had a child of your own, you might feel a little different, from the way you're thinking now!There's a good possibility, that the names they have picked out is common & ordinary, but special in their own rights, because the child ia a special gift from God, and that's why they may think it neccessary to keep it a secret.

Answer 18

idk i never understood that either i think their scared u won't like the name though  

Answer 19

Honest to gosh, friends and family members 'steal' names.

In fact, on this site I never tell my son's name, because it's unusual - NOT odd - and I don't want to see anyone else choosing it... kind of protective, I suppose. I swore I'd find a short, easy name for a child.. and I did. He was the only one in elementary school (200) with it, and is the only one in high school (1700 kids) with it.

Plus, as others said, it's getting possible negative reactions from people.

Another thing - we didn't know for SURE til we saw the little one - then knew the name we chose was perfect.

Answer 20

when i was pregnant hubby and I had a few names picked but we waited till the baby was born then picked the name thasuitedted the baby the best.  

Answer 21

All it takes is for oe person to repeat the name they have choosen and then loads of people will know...I dont mind giving my names on here but to family and friends i wont say anything as the names ive picked ae unqiue to me and they find out when the baby is born.

Answer 22

People always have to put their two cents in...say what they like, or I like this better. If people are having trouble finding names and they want help they will ask! If you ask someone if they have names picked out and they share them with you they are not asking for your opinion! If you love it, tell them ! If you hate it-just smile politely!