Choosing a baby’s name is a deeply personal decision, yet it doesn’t always win the approval of others.
Tastes in baby names are subjective; lovers of unique names may not appreciate traditional choices and vice versa. While it’s fine to have an opinion on someone else’s choice of name for their child, respect is key, as no parent enjoys being judged for their decisions.
However, one mother has been left heartbroken after having her baby girl due to her family’s harsh reaction to the baby’s unconventional name. She views the chosen name as “poetic, strong, and unique”, but her relatives disagree.
On Reddit, she shared she named her daughter “Nyxiryn”, which should be pronounced like a blend of Nyx and Erin (Nix-er-in). The name is a mix of Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night, and Irina, a name meaning “peace” in Greek.
She revealed her naming choice a few weeks before the birth, prompting “mixed” reactions within the immediate family, with her mother calling the name a “mouthful” and her sister-in-law deeming it merely “interesting”. But the real contention emerged during a family dinner with her extended relatives.
The mum shared: “My aunt, who is never shy about her opinions, asked me what we ended up naming our daughter. When I told her, she immediately burst into laughter, like a full-on cackle. I was taken aback and asked what was so funny, and she said, ‘You seriously named your kid that? Poor child. You’ve practically cursed her with that name’.
“I tried to keep my cool and asked what she meant, and she went on a rant about how Nyxiryn is a ‘made-up, weird name’ that would just make my daughter’s life harder. She said that she would be bullied in school, that no one would ever spell it right, and that we were ‘trying too hard’ to be unique. She even went so far as to call me selfish for giving her a name like that and said I was setting her up for a life of frustration.”
The mum “snapped back” at her aunt, informing her she should “respect” the name they’ve chosen for their daughter and refrain from being dismissive. Yet now, she’s started to “second guess” the name, harbouring concerns her aunt might have a point.
Commenters on the online post were candid with the mother, with several agreeing her aunt could have been more diplomatic but ultimately affirmed the point being made. Some comments even mentioned that “Nyxiryn” resembles the name of a “medication”.
One user commented: “Your aunt could’ve handled it better, but she just gave you a preview of what your daughter is potentially going to experience for the rest of her life every time someone asks her what her name is.”
And another shared: “As a Greek, no the name is not a combination, and doesn’t sound even close to a combination. You can name your child whatever you want, that’s for sure. But expect for people to side-eye you when you introduce her. You chose a unique, unconventional name so these things should be expected.”