Parents Ending 8 Generations of Tradition To Give Son ‘Stupid Name’ Backed

A new mom and dad have been backed for rejecting a long-held family tradition when it comes to naming their newborn son.

When it comes to baby names, a parent’s choice of moniker for their pride and joy may hold more significance than some might initially assume.

A study published in the academic journal Education, Finance and Policy, identified a potential correlation between boys with more gender-neutral names and increased behavioral problems at school as well as lower scores on academic tests.

One couple’s choice of name for their son has certainly courted controversy with their immediate family, but their issues aren’t born out of any concern about academic standing but rather the decision to do-away with a time-honored family tradition that goes back eight generations.

Writing in a Reddit post shared under the handle u/Lucky-Indication928, a new dad explained how they recently welcomed their first child, Hollis, into the world back in June.

Unfortunately his parents were “disappointed” when they first learned Hollis’ name as they are “very traditional” when it comes to naming kids.

“We were each named after grandparents and that’s how they feel everyone should name their kids,” he wrote. “They expected our son to be either Jack (my dad) or Parker (my Father in Law).”

Since Hollis arrived, he said his mom has been quizzing them on their decision to “break tradition.” He said: “She asked why we went with something so unlike the names we have in our family.”

Though he insisted to his mom that they “went with what we liked” she accused them of being influenced by his wife’s side of the family to go with a more unconventional name. Fast-forward to one weekend recently and the issue flared up again when the man’s mom hit out at them during a special ceremony for Hollis accusing them of picking “a stupid name” that she “hated.”

“She told me we had no business breaking a long held tradition in our family and there’s a reason those traditions are there so foolish people can’t name their babies the worst names imaginable,” he said.

The man said he became angry, telling his mom to “shut up” in a move that left her furious.

Commenting on the standoff, Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, said the couple were well within their rights to opt out of the tradition.

“The final decision rests with the parents who have the ultimate right to name the baby a name of their choice,” Gottsman told Newsweek.

“Family names are passed down from generation to generation and it’s a wonderful tradition, for those who want to follow a long held custom,” she said. “There are reasons why parents decide to branch out and name their child a different name, and regardless of the reason, parents should not have to answer for their decision, or be chastised by other family members.”

Though Gottsman felt there was provocation, she also felt the son telling his mom to “shut up” was a sign he had “lost control” and was “lashing out.”

“Respect for each other and each other’s family, which includes the new baby, who will grow up with the name, should be the first priority,” Gottsman concluded. “Especially if the grandparents want to maintain a loving relationship with her grandchild.”

Those commenting on Reddit sided firmly with the parents. One user said: “If your mother wants to have a say in naming a baby, then she should have another baby.”

Another said: “I could never complain about my grandchildren’s name. I’d just be too happy and delighted they were safely here, healthy and ready to spoil and make a fuss of everyone.”

A third, meanwhile, commented: “I find that grandparents who get to spend time with their grandchildren don’t go questioning their child/child-in-law’s parenting decisions.”

Newsweek reached out to u/Lucky-Indication928 for comment but could not verify the details of the case.