When OP shared the name with her family, reactions ranged from cautious to openly critical, culminating in a harsh public confrontation with her aunt who claimed the name was “weird” and suggested OP was being selfish. This public criticism has caused OP significant distress and self-doubt regarding her choice, leading her to question if she was wrong to choose the name and to react strongly to the criticism.
So, I (29F) recently gave birth to my first child, a beautiful baby girl. My husband (31M) and I spent months deliberating over the perfect name for her. We’re both into mythology and literature, and we wanted a name that felt unique but also meaningful.
After a lot of back-and-forth, we settled on Nyxiryn (pronounced “NIX-er-in”). It’s a combination of “Nyx,” the Greek goddess of the night, and “Irina,” which means “peace” in Greek.
We thought it sounded poetic, strong, and unique.
I shared the name with my family a few weeks before she was born, and the reactions were mixed. Some of them thought it was cool and different, but others were clearly taken aback. My mom said it was “a mouthful,” and my sister-in-law (34F) was silent for a while before saying, “Well, it’s… interesting.”
The real drama started at a family dinner after the baby was born. My aunt (62F), 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.
I snapped back, saying that it’s our baby and our choice of name, and that she should respect it. She then accused me of being sensitive and said I wouldn’t last in the real world if I couldn’t handle a little feedback.
The whole dinner turned awkward, and my husband and I ended up leaving early.
Now, I’m starting to second-guess myself. My mom said my aunt was out of line, but also added that “people do have a point” and suggested that we might want to consider a more “normal” name.
My husband says we shouldn’t change anything just because a few people don’t like it, but the whole thing has left me feeling conflicted.
So, AITA for naming my baby Nyxiryn and for getting upset when my aunt called me out on it?
Conclusion
The core conflict lies between OP’s desire for a meaningful and unique name for her child and the strong negative social pressure exerted by certain family members, particularly her aunt. OP feels conflicted as her husband supports their decision, but the severity of the family’s reaction has eroded her initial certainty about the name Nyxiryn.
The debate centers on parental autonomy versus community acceptance when choosing a child’s name. Should parents prioritize personal meaning and uniqueness, even if it invites criticism, or should they select a name expected to cause less social friction for the child later on?
Here’s how people reacted:
First, the thought and care you and your husband put towards choosing her name is amazing, and i wish more parents would do this!
The name Nyxiryn is BEAUTIFUL! It’s a perfect reflection of how peaceful you can feel in the dark and quiet..
And for your aunt saying it’s a made up name…. literally EVERY name is made up!!! What should matter is what the name means!!! Now if it somehow meant something like “ancient frog” then yea… horrible name. But a goddess of a peaceful night is so beautiful. Nyx, Ryn, Xir are cute as hell nicknames as well in case your mom’s so worried about the “mouthful” all 3 syllables would be……. (slight A-hole awarded to her for that comment. Sorry..)
Also, thing about it.. who wants to be one of ten “Sarahs” in the class….
Anyway. NTA, stick to your guns, I think the MEANING of the name is what makes it beautiful.
Your daughter may get bullied… provide her with a safe space to come home to..
What you name your child they have to carry at least until they are an adult. It’s about your child not you.
Would you want a name that you need to constantly explain how to pronounce? One that literally begs to be made fun of?
The very first thing I thought of is if it gets abbreviated as many names do, most likely it would be nix. That is also the name of lice treatments. Lovely connotation isn’t it. Guarantee that the kids will shorten it to that regardless.
If parents want to be creative they can rename themselves or paint a picture. Stop saddling children with ridiculous names to feed your egos.
Gentle YTA. Of course you have the right to name your baby whatever you want, but it’s also your responsibility as a parent to ensure your daughter’s well-being, and a name like that WILL get her teased, not to mention the inconveniences she will have to deal with related to her name all throughout her life.
Someone mentioned a Irina Nyx. I think that’s a beautiful name and less complicated for your kid to spell but also honors the original name. My 2 cents. Good luck!
Also, many people will burst out laughing on reading your child’s name. And many more will privately feel sorry for your daughter and judge you for caring more about getting attention than you care about your child – whether this is true or not.
First thing I thought was that it sounds like a medicine brand.
Every time your daughter introduces herself, she will be subject to multiple questions:
1. I’m sorry, say that again?
2. How do you spell that?
3. What nationality are you?
4. Where’d your parents come up with that name?
Etc.
If you like it so much, change your own name to that but don’t do that to an innocent child. Is she supposed to put that on a scholarship app, or a resume, or a job application? Irina is a lovely name.
It sounds like a medication that advertised on TV.
Side effects of Nixerin may include constipation, nausea, diarrhea, death by dysentery and glaucoma. Do not take if you are allergic to Nixerin.
Did you know it’ll be hard for her to get a job as an adult with that name?
Please rethink your kid being bullied her whole life.
I mean, you are. I don’t know why else you would choose such a name. It’s a cry for attention.
For the love of god don’t saddle a defenseless human w/ a problem like that. It’s just cruel.
Yes. YTA