As any parent will attest, choosing the ‘right’ name for your child is a big deal.
One husband has now found himself in the position of arguing with his wife over his daughter’s future name.
It is, he reveals, a tricky situation.
He feels so strongly about it that he threatened to pick a name from a list of mutually approved options and register his daughter alone.
Naturally, a lot of people were unhappy with that suggestion.
His wife wants their future daughter to be named after her best friend, who tragically died last January.
The pair are having their third child – and they previously spent a lot of thought and care while choosing their names.
But now they are at loggerheads over the third name – as his wife wants to use the name that her best friend would have given her daughter – Constellation Vie.
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)
But the man is desperate to avoid that name – and took to Reddit explaining the issue.
He wrote: “Constellation sticks out like a sore thumb. V
“Vie I can work with, as both Vivienne and Violet were on our list both times, and Vie can be a nickname for either of those.
“My wife maintains that we have already used up all girl’s names sentimental to us, so we can honour her friend.
“Besides, she wants to primarily use the nickname Stella (with Constellation as the legal name) as it fits well enough with our other daughters.
“I disagree, and even if it did I am very against naming a child a name that you never call them as it causes way too much confusion.”
The pair fell out after the man learnt that his wife had told their four-year-old her naming plans.
The man adds: “I was fuming as I don’t like my kid being used as a tool against me, and also cemented that a child can’t pronounce the name and finds it funny which I believe is crucial for if you want your child to survive school.
“I confronted my wife, and she got defensive and we fought.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“I think I may be the asshole as I responded that she doesn’t have our future daughter’s best interests at heart by landing her with a stupid name, and if she doesn’t cooperate with finding a more suitable name, I will come up with one from the list we both like from when we had our daughters and register it while she is still immobile from the c-section.
“I hate that it’s come to this, but a bad name can really set you back in life and it’s a hill I’m prepared to die on.”
The overwhelming response in support of the mum-to-be persuaded the man that he was acting unreasonably.
One person commented: “I was with you until you said that you’d go behind her back and write a name that you thought of while your wife recovers.
“In a way, that’s just as scummy as her telling your daughter the name she wants is the name of the baby.”
Another said: “Threatening to take advantage of your wife’s inability to move after a major surgery is such a scummy move.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Way to make her feel like she can’t trust you to take care of her while she is vulnerable. If she wanted she could just ban you from the surgery and fill out the form herself- dad does not have to be present for birth but mom does.
“Stop with the horrible threats and work stuff out – get a councilor if you must.”
Luckily, it looks the man listened to the advice and took it on board.
He wrote: “Apologised to wife for my comments, I can see that I was totally in the wrong.
“I went through on why Constellation Vie was a bad name, and she agreed that it was best for both parents to be 100% on board but is still keen to have a name that sums up her friend.
“We are reading through your suggestions. She likes Celeste, Estelle and Vivienne. Thank you guys for your comments.”