How can I convince my sister to not name her daughter 'Tennessee January'?

Question

My older sister is having a baby girl in January, which I'm real excited about. However...

I don't what to come across as nasty and mean, but I was talking to her about names yesterday and she said that her fiance and her had decided on the name Tennessee January and I think that is a ridiculous name.

I know it's not my baby and it's up to my sister and her fiance to decide on the name, but I really feel like someone needs to let her know that is a bad name. I've been trying to politely suggest other names, but she has just been ignoring them, so I feel like I need to tell her straight up what a silly name it is.

I can kind of understand the January part as she is going to be born in January (though I feel like in reality she is naming her after the actress January Jones and won't admit it), but the Tennessee part is ridiculous. We are not even from Tennessee: we live in London.

I guess the name is "cool", but I feel like it is better to have a proper name than a "cool" name.

So, how can I convince my sister to not name her daughter Tennessee January?

Answer 1

Point out that her daughter may feel silly being Officer Tennessee January, or Prime Minister Tennessee January, or Judge Tennessee January, or Dr. Tennessee January, or... you get the picture. People have to wear silly names as adults when it's just not so cute anymore.



It's not the *worst* I've heard though. Some woman here named her kid '4real' and was considering names like '4sure' and '4ever' for future children. There was another called 'Number 16 Bus Shelter' after the place he was conceived. There was a teen mum who posts to a parenting group I visit occasionally who wanted her daughter to be different and was naming her 'Summah Breeez'.



There's no nice way to dis someone's baby name, even if that person is your sister. She may end up getting the pip with you and just not letting you see her at all - only you know your sister well enough to know what you can get away with. Hey, at least she can probably shorten it to 'Tina' and get it changed legally some day.

Answer 2

Ask her why she likes the name Tennessee. Maybe she's always wanted to go there; maybe she thinks it's a nice place? Maybe she just likes the sound of Tennessee!

Tells her that there are plenty of other place names that can be used, because people use them all the time and it's no big deal. A huge number of names are place names, and people don't connect them to places at all. An example would be Charlotte. Charlotte is a city in North Carolina but it's a beautiful girl's name as well. People don't get teased for having a name like Charlotte (generally). If she really wants to name her daughter after a place, city, country, state, or something similar, suggest other ones. If she doesn't like your suggestions, tell her to search for other ones.

I wouldn't worry too much about January. Yes, it's not exactly the most popular girl's name but it's still only her middle name and therefore most people won't know it.



Explain to her that kids get bullied all the time in school, especially when they're young. Would she want her daughter to get teased at school because of her actions by naming her something that isn't exactly a name? What about when they're studying history in school, or about the USA? Tennessee will come up, and Tennessee isn't exactly like naming your kid London or Paris; they're a bit more usual, and more popular when it comes to place names than Tennessee.



If she doesn't think that her child will be teased (or refuses to believe it) ask her if she's thinking about her daughter's future. Most likely, she's just imaging a little baby girl, at the most 2 or 3 years old, named Tennessee January. She might think it's cute. What about when baby Tennessee grows up, manages to get through school without any incidents, and then decides that she wants to be a doctor, or a lawyer, or police officer or a principal or a business woman. Tell your sister to imagine her daughter introducing herself, when she's 24 and has graduated university or college and is at a job interview. Dr. Tennessee, Judge Tennessee, Lawyer Tennessee, Officer Tennessee do not sound at all professional, honestly.



Tell her that her daughter might not like the name because she thinks it's too out-there and not appropriate for a grown woman, and might want to change it, and actually name herself something else. Wouldn't your sister feel upset, at the least that she's put her own daughter through all the hardship?



If she doesn't agree to anything, and thinks that your over-reacting or is in denial :), then suggest that she gives her daughter 2 middle names, Tennessee January, and puts a first name in front of them. Middle names wouldn't matter as much, and she'd still get to name her baby Tennessee January, just with a name in front of them.



Good luck talking to her!

Hope I helped :)

Answer 3

omg the poor child will suffer her whole life because of uneducated parents.



You should go an talk to your sister about it, Its horrid.



First of all tell your sister the the child deserve to have a strong feminine name. The baby wont stay a baby for years. When she grows up she will wish for a professional name that she can use to introduce herself with. Just imagine the laughs when she she I am Dr. Tennessee!!!!!!!!!!!



January is also ridiculous its a month not a name ans so what if there is an actress called so, she doesnt have to copy ugly names.



Another thing, the name doesnt flow at all, besides being just stupid.



I hope you can convince her to change her mind.



There are plentty of gorgeous girls names available. Let her choose from them.



Names:



Tatiana

Tabitha

Joella

Jacqueline

Josephine

Nataline

Fiona

Madeleine

Danielle

Anneliese

Answer 4

Why does everyone automatically think of the state? It's not like it's the only thing to reference with Tennessee. If she's a fan of old classic movies from the 40's & 50's, she could be naming the child after the playwright Tennessee Williams; who wrote "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".



The child can go by nicknames like Tenny, Ness, Nessie, or TJ.



Everyone trying to give professional names as an example are idiots. When was the last time a doctor, judge, or prime minister introduced themselves by their fully given name?

Answer 5

Well all you can do is let her know that you think the name is ridiculous. But I wouldn't dwell on it. I don't think you can convince her and I don't think that you should try really. It will just cause problems between the two of you. Let your opinion be known and then let it go because there's nothing else you can do. I don't know what type of relationship you have with your sister, but you wouldn't want it to become a huge issue and have a falling out. If it were my sister, I'd tell her she was being an effing idiot, but I can do that lol. Good luck and I really hope for your niece's sake that your sister changes her mind.

Answer 6

If you were American that'd be bad...being English it's really bad. Where on earth is she getting Tennessee from? Why would someone living in London want to name their child after a hick state in the U.S.?



Just break it to her that growing up in Britain with an American state as a first name and a month as your middle name is a good way to get teased and made the odd one out on the playground. Tell her to quite simply think about her kid and not how unique she wants to come off as.

Answer 7

I live in Tennessee, and I agree with you. People who live here don't name their babies "Tennessee". And we sure don't name them "Thames November" or "Paddington February" (just to make a point).



Like another person said, Prime Minister Tennessee January Smythe is really odd. Your sister needs to put aside her current affection for this name and think long range. That's a really long name to sign on legal documents. Kids will make fun of her "funny name". People throughout her life will question her about it, and the best she can answer is "blame my parents".



If you are unable to convince her on another name, call your niece "Tennie" which is the historic nickname for the given "Tennessee". Yes, in the 1800s, people here did name their daughters "Tennessee".

Answer 8

Oh god this has to be the worst state name I've ever heard, I hope it never catches on like Dakota! Maybe you should put on a hick accent and say to her HOWDY YALL MAH NAMES TENNASAYYYY, it will make her mad but imagine how mad her daughter will be after the 100th Tennessee joke! will If she really wants to name her after a state, what about Carolina? I think that's a pretty name.

Answer 9

I feel for the poor kid but i can't tell you what to do it wouldn't work.

Just set up a base of people that you think have some influence on her or see if she is buy-able and i'd pay her to not burden a child with a name like that. You can show her this reply i mean it in good faith.

No child should have to endure life with a name like that I think your sister is playing joke on you.

Answer 10

2 posts suggested showing her these answers, and i agree, as it may make her realise what a dreadful name choice she is making.

There have been several studies performed in recent years 'proving' without doubt that children saddled with odd, weird or funny names, are much more likely to have social problems, have problems interacting with others, have learning difficulties, problems with shyness, later on they are less likely to get picked for interviews.

Tennessee January is horrendous, poor child. She will despise her parents for choosing such a name and change it at the earliest opportunity.

Answer 11

that poor future baby girl.

cant you at least tell her to switch it around into January Tennessee.

i've known gilrs named January and its easier to find a nickname for it [jan, jani, etc].



Its not a good name buts its not the worse either.



I knew a dad who caugh his wife with another woman and when his daughter was born, named her "lesbiana" which is lesbian in Spanish. then when he died, he left a whole bunch of money [hundreds of thousands] to his wife and daughter only if his daughter would keep the name for 30 years. talk about pay back.



I knew another girl whose name was " L.A Block" dead serious. I thought her mom was calling her LA Block as a nickname or somethng, but no, thats her actually name. L.A. Block. and get this, she lives in the bronx.

Answer 12

I don't really like it. I doesn't flow too well. January is okay but Tennesse January sounds a liddle weird. Maybe try getting her to change the name to London or January or something

Answer 13

Tell her the name has achieved the "From the Sublime to the Riduculous" award from a group of 'naming authorities' (creative license here too).

Suggest to keep it 'sublime', the name idea can be expressed w. similar names:

For Tennessee, use:

Tenille

Tennilla-----or go for a better "T" name like Tess (TennESSee)



For January, use:

Jan

Jane

Janae'

Jana

Janeen

Janet

Janice

Janine

Janis

Janna



Worst case, keep January as a mn and change just the first name

My choice would be Tess Janine

.....................................................................................................

Answer 14

Show her this question and all the answers. Maybe she'll see that strangers on the Internet really really don't want her to call her baby Tennessee January and realise.

Answer 15

It is up to your sister, as you know. Maybe if she is aware that it is unusual and could well provoke teasing, which is common sense, then you should just accept it and continue to be excited about being her auntie and helping your sister. Also, you could suggest that she considers a more common middle name if she is going for a more unusual first name, that is if she asks for your opinion. Good luck.

Answer 16

Imagine it was a boy and she would have to come up with a name on the spot!



Tell her they will tease her for her name.

Answer 17

wow. what a name. Not to mention its a long name for a preschooler to learn to write, its def. gunna get picked on.



but i guess she could always abbreviate it Tenn. Jan.

wtf.

Answer 18

Tell her that's an absolutly TERRIBLE name. Even I will hate her if she names her that :P





Sarah Elizabeth ☆

Answer 19

tell her the baby will get teased everyday of her life

Answer 20

You should rip the pi ss out of it.

Answer 21

I'd laugh, then look horrified and say "oh, I'm so sorry, are you serious?"



Might at least make her think about it.

Answer 22

show her the answers to this question. we all think the name is crap.



--ah sparkle beat me to it! I still think this is the best idea though.

Answer 23

yikes thats an awful name. do what you have to do.

Answer 24

Shank her.

Answer 25

Tennessee is a great name and a respectful tribute to the people of the great state of Tennessee. I would suggest you mind your own business.

Answer 26

Leave her alone, she's the one who has to birth little Tennessee so she can call her what she likes!