An expectant mother has admitted she's fearful that she'll upset people's feelings after she and her husband fell in love with a name that could cause offence to other family members.
Taking to the popular parenting forum site Mumsnet, the anonymous user has sparked a debate online after claiming that they want to name their baby daughter after her husband's late stepmother, using her name as a middle name. However, they fear that this will upset her husband's mum.
Admitting that she 'can't stop thinking about the name', the woman has sought advice on whether she should choose to moniker that they both 'really love' or whether they should settle for something else completely different.
Her post explained: "Five months pregnant with my second child. We know we're having a girl and have a few names we really love. I am really set on a name I'd like to use as a middle name.
"My husband loves it too and it goes really well with the various first names we like. It is also the name of my husband's step mum who sadly passed away a few years back and who we absolutely adored.
"We know father-in-law would be thrilled if we used the name, but my husband is (I think understandably) worried that it would upset his mum.
"I've suggested we speak to mother-in-law, even ask her permission, so we can rule it out/in once and for all. I can't stop thinking about the name now we've discussed it!
"My husband thinks even the conversation might upset her and that she might not even be honest about how she feels about us using it. They (mother-in-law and father-in-law) did have a fairly acrimonious split - but over 30 years ago and absolutely nothing to do with my husband's wonderful stepmum."
Seeking advice, the woman questioned: "So the question is, would I be unreasonable to ask mother-in-law her thoughts on us using the name? Should I just put it to bed to keep the peace but know I'll never give our daughter the middle name we really want & love?"
Since sharing her thread, the anonymous woman's post has raked in over 90 comments to date - where people were divided in opinion.
One person suggested: "Use the name you love."
On the other hand, a second Mumsnet user admitted: "As a mum, I'd be really upset if my child used a name of a step-parent."
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: "I wouldn't, even if it was my favourite name. It's bound to cause deep hurt, but of course, she couldn't say so."
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