We have polled Babyhold.com readers on their feelings regarding criticism of their baby name choices.  An overwhelming 2,000 responses later, the answer is clear: most parents simply don't care! 

We may ask our friends, our family, our co-workers, we may edit and re-edit our baby names lists, but when it comes down to the final decision; most parents go with their gut feeling.  "What I think is the only thing that matters" is the response of the majority of parents and parents-to-be, ranking in at 32.5%.  The second most popular answer was "only if it is someone very close to me," receiving over 26% of the votes.

While most parents tend to follow their hearts when naming their children, or weigh in the advice of very close family and friends, it is not to say that opinion does not matter.  Over 40% of voters place some degree of importance on the criticism they receive.  While baby name choices are a private and personal decision, a child will carry their parents' choice throughout their lives and through countless social situations.  Taking into consideration what others may think of your name choice before the name is set in print on the birth certificate can be a great advantage – these early opinions may be a foreshadowing of what your child will hear throughout their lives.

A name is inevitably bound to one's personality.  If no one likes your name choice, it is not to say they will feel the same a few years down the road.  Names grow on people.  A child can take the oddest name and make it their own, even so far as making those that were against the name originally wish it were theirs!

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