call them & tell them that you can't use their names because you have friends ( or imaginary neighbors ) who have "dogs" with those exact same names. What a funny coincidence, but out of respect for them, you'd rather just stick with the name you have. Send your regrets ( trying not to snicker) & then name that kid whatever you want. They will get over it once the name is on the certificate & that sweet little girl is on their lap all swaddled. hey, I named my kid Rhythm & got away with it!! I just got out of ever having to name a future baby girl Greta because my inlaw's neighbor just got a puppy & named her that. I'm thrilled!

My in-laws did not want us to name our boy his name because they were close with a family that has a severely mentally disabled girl with the same name. We still named him that and they have never said anything about it since. Now they were not pushy about the name, just a comment here and there.

"If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?"

This is YOUR baby, mama. Just my two cents.
You must live, not simply exist.

I would go with the name, if you like it. She's YOUR daughter. I don't know why (grand)parents get their knickers all in knots over this kind of thing. We drive my mom nuts, she doesn't like our boy names AT ALL. Although there are some she likes better than others. My brother and my partner & I tease her constantly- coming up with names we know she'll hate. She doesn't think it's funny at all. But really, it's none of their business!!!! And that's our way of conveying that to her. So-- go with your heart. And if part of the reason that you love it is rebellion, well...there are worse reasons, I think!

My sisters decided not to tell anyone their babys' names because of what I went through. Even still, one of them received this advice: "It's not to late to change it [the spelling] on the birth certificate." People are opinionated about baby names and think its their right to give you their opinion... especially when it's family.
Back to 2004... My parents sat us down and told us how they really hope we don't choose the name we have been talking about... and how it is disrespectful to use the one name they cannot stand. They had no reason to dislike the name. I do have a good relationship with my parents, but this was going too far. We stuck with the name and asked them for their blessing using it... but explained that with or without it we were keeping this name for our son. In the end we learned not to tell them and just present the baby with the name and deal with the consequences. My parents love their grandchild and my mom admits that she now likes his name. And because not knowing the name would be hard for me...

It took a LOT of people a lot of time to get used to my kid's name. We used a name that I like, a very classic name, and chose the Spanish version because she was conceived in Spain. I planned all along to use a shortened version (and do) but jesusmaryandjoseph, people did have a lot to say about it. Most of it was racist and negative toward Latinos, Mexicans in particular. they all got used to it. Your family will as well. Sorry you have to deal with this.

tell them you have picked a name. Tell them that you have ordered baby stuff with the name on it. Make yourself a tshirt with "I love thename" on it. Don't use the name they hate, use one that is worse. check out the bad baby names @ http://notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/ this website makes me laugh until I choke.

That way, no matter what you choose, they will like it better.

Normally I am not a revenge person, but making fun of someone's potential baby name is crap.