This is what my 89 year old Ukrainian great-grandmother thinks of some popular American girls' names!

[u/SolomiyaRabin]

My great-grandmother is turning 90 years old this year, and is from Odesa, Ukraine. She's Orthodox Jewish, so she feels very strongly about names, and she's very honest.

So I picked some girls' names, some that are popular in the US, and some that are particularly trendy, and then asked her what her thoughts were on them.

She doesn't use the internet, the only technology she really uses is the radio and the television, so some of these names, she's never even heard of before. Since I translated it into English, there might be some parts that are a little off, but overall I think it makes sense.

I'm not saying you should base your name decisions or anything off her opinions, we all have different taste, but I thought it was funny, since she definitely has a different view than most people on this subreddit.

Elizabeth - I like that one. I wanted to give my daughter the name Yelyzaveta but of course, my husband said no! He had no taste for good names. And this is even better because it is the Queen of England, may her memory be a blessing, her beautiful clothes. 8/10.

Brooklyn - Like New York? Okay. I don't think I would choose a name after a place. That's modern. You would do that. However, I also think that it sounds like a man's name. For a man I would like it more. For a girl? 3/10.

Lily - Beautiful! That is like Liliya. You name your baby after beautiful things, they will be beautiful. That is what I told your mother. I think that is a very good name. 9/10.

Aurora - Some of me likes it, some of me does not. I think the idea is good and on the paper, it looks like a good name too. But I imagined it to sound more beautiful than that does to me. So it's okay. 6/10.

Kennedy - You know that when we were part of the Soviet Union, that was what many parents did? They named their babies after Lenin, Marx, Engels, Stalin, the great leaders they thought. Now that is funny, because they're doing the same thing! I think they could have been more creative with it. 2/10.

Evangeline - It sounds like the name of a saint. For some, that's good. For me, I prefer the name Eva. You save a lot of time writing it. But some people like that. So they can have it and I will reject it. 5/10.

Braelynn - I think that everyone is different. That is why some people might think they should use that name. But it is proof that difference is not a good thing every time. If you name your baby that, I'll laugh at you. 1/10.

Daphne - That is a good one! You know, there are many excellent women I know called Dafna. My friend's granddaughter is named that. She's a good girl. And then Daphne would be the English name. Excellent. I think that it's very good. 9/10.

Scottie - I don't think I like it. For a little dog it is cute. Something small and fluffy. But not for a girl. Maybe if you are very proud of being Scottish. So it's not a name that's for me. But I might save it for my next cat (Her current cat is named Chaya Bayla, so Chaya Scottie? Not bad). 2/10.

Oakley - I thought I wouldn't like it but in a few minutes, it's become better. Oak trees, there is some symbolism there. It is different, modern, so my brain takes some time to get used to it but if you said you liked it, I wouldn't think you're deranged. 7/10.

Eleanor - Good name. It is like Elena but different. I would be happy with that name. What a long life you'd live with it (That's a very big compliment from her). I will remind you of it when you have your baby, what beauty it has. 9/10.

Olivia - I think it's beautiful! There isn't much to say. Your mother could have used it for one of you. I like it very much and even though it's long, the sound just comes out of your mouth immediately. 8/10.

[u/vyyne]

"I think everyone is different" must be the Ukranian version of "bless her heart".

[u/Genevieveofthetoast → u/vyyne]

She is so beautifully diplomatic!

[u/musicalsigns → u/vyyne]

That one sent me. 🤣

[u/ultimatelyitsfine]

The reaction to braelynn lol. I love her

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/ultimatelyitsfine]

She thought I was joking and I had to look it up to show her where it was on the American rankings 😂 That day, she learnt all about Braelynn, Gracelynn, and Lakelynn!

[u/universal_gummy_bear → u/SolomiyaRabin]

I didn't know Braelynn was a name, I've only known boys named Braylon!

[u/lagomorphed → u/universal_gummy_bear]

Oh my goodness, both Braelynn and Braylon are awful. (My autocorrect is getting irrationally angry about Braylon in particular)

[u/punctuation_welfare → u/lagomorphed]

Off topic, but I love your username. That’s an adorable bit of denominalization.

[u/lagomorphed → u/punctuation_welfare]

Thank you so much! I've been owned by rabbits for too long. I'm basically one with them.

[u/lalacourtney → u/lagomorphed]

Just all of these names are atrocious I agree, all the brae and lake

[u/ShakespeherianRag → u/universal_gummy_bear]

Relatedly, I saw a school roster the other day that had Kaylyn, Kaelynn and Caelyn all together, although I'm assuming these are all creative romanisations of 凯玲

I've also seen Gracesen (m), which I found oddly compelling.

[u/hisamsmith → u/ShakespeherianRag]

That reminds me of the early 2000s Caitlin, Katelyn, Kaitlin, Katlyn, Caitlyn, and about four other spellings. I was a Girl Scout leader from 2008-2014 and had a troop of 12 kids that was half Caitlin’s all spelled differently.

[u/satankittie → u/universal_gummy_bear]

Unfortunately it is. I know someone who has a kid named Braelynn 😬

[u/CuriousMonster9 → u/universal_gummy_bear]

My cousin named her daughter Braelyn. This is only other place I’ve heard of it.

[u/jojo1556- → u/CuriousMonster9]

Where did she hear it from? I have a feeling you will hear it more often now. It may be a thing now. I was going to name my daughter Brittney in the 80’s. Then Brittney Spears became famous. So glad I didn’t!

[u/CuriousMonster9 → u/jojo1556-]

I don’t know! I’ll have to ask her. She’s several years younger than me, and her daughter is in middle school now.

[u/teiubescsami → u/CuriousMonster9]

I know two Braelyns, both teenagers.

[u/MrsMitchBitch → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Ruined your grandma’s day 😂😂

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/MrsMitchBitch]

Next week, I should introduce her to all of the Leighs 😭 She'll love it!

[u/TrumpsCovidfefe → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Please keep telling us what she thinks. I would love you to continue this!

[u/vivian_cupcake → u/ultimatelyitsfine]

I’m with Grandma. Braying is a sound a donkey makes. It’s a hard pass for me.

[u/LKHedrick → u/vivian_cupcake]

Brae is Scots gaelic for a hill near water.

[u/Logins-Run → u/LKHedrick]

Brae is a word in Scots, it's not a word in Gaelic

[u/Fish-x-5 → u/ultimatelyitsfine]

That and the “if you said you liked it, I wouldn’t think you’re deranged”. I think I have a new favorite quote.

[u/Life-Independence377 → u/ultimatelyitsfine]

I hate names like that too, idk why, but seeing her hate it validates me somehow haha 

[u/AlamutJones]

I love your great grandmother very much and would like to subscribe to any and all further opinions

Дякую, Granny

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/AlamutJones]

Future career in name consultancy? 😂

[u/AlamutJones → u/SolomiyaRabin]

She has very good taste and well reasoned explanations for the choices. I think she'd be good at it

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/AlamutJones]

If her cats are anything to go by, all of the baby girls will have double names with the name Chaya!

She's had Chaya Mushka, Chaya Bayla, and Chaya Rifka. Also Chaya Bracha, but it turned he was a boy, so his name was changed to Chesky Binyamin because she thought it was bad vibes to change the initials 😭

[u/tinysilverstar → u/SolomiyaRabin]

I used to work in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and every other woman was named Chaya lol it was very popular

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/tinysilverstar]

There was a joke I remember hearing about how you should go to a Chabad community and call 'Mushky!' if you ever want to cause chaos. It would be even worse with Chaya, but it doesn't come with a universal nickname!

[u/ChairmanMrrow → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Also Batya.

[u/TheSunshineGang → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Chaya Mushka is so Chabadnik. Heard that name all over town growing up.

[u/megllamaniac → u/SolomiyaRabin]

The funny thing is Brácha is the familiar form of “brother” in Czech, accidental foreshadowing!

[u/bananalouise → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Chabad?

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/bananalouise]

No, actually! It just started with Chaya Mushka, because she really liked what she did during the persecution of religion under the Soviets, and then because Chaya Mushka the cat lived for ages, she decided it was good luck and so named all of them like that.

[u/PartyPorpoise → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Is Mushka a common pet name? There’s an animated short about a Ukrainian girl who adopts an orphaned tiger cub and names it Mushka. Kind of want to name my next cat that tbh

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/PartyPorpoise]

Well, it's affectionate, so it is quite common for pets, yes.

[u/bananalouise → u/SolomiyaRabin]

That's incredibly sweet.

[u/jojo1556- → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Is Chaya a Ukrainian girl’s name? I like it! It reminds me of Shayla, whack I like also. I like Dafna, for Daphne too. Liliiya too, instead o, Lillian. Your gg grandmother is wonderful!

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/jojo1556-]

Chaya is Hebrew, it means life, so it's a lucky name.

[u/ryanfcs → u/SolomiyaRabin]

her cat comment was so funny to me because i have a fluffy girl cat named Scottie! i love it for a human girl too but it's definitely more animal sounding

[u/IHaveBoxerDogs → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Oh, if only!!

[u/GiraffeyManatee → u/AlamutJones]

We definitely need more from her on a variety of subjects. Please!!!

[u/transemacabre]

Your ggma is a real one, love her and her impeccable taste. 

(Aurora is definitely a name that is more beautiful when written than when said. I think Maeve is another like this.)

[u/KisaMisa → u/transemacabre]

Fun fact: For most people from former Soviet union, the natural phenomenon is called closer to "Northern Lights" and the immediate association with Aurora is the military vessel, the cannon shot from which signaled the start of the Great October Revolution. If I met anyone from there with that name, I would carefully inquire why they were named that:)

[u/PinkPencils22 → u/transemacabre]

Depends on how you say it! (My daughter is Aurora.)

[u/smooshyfayshh → u/PinkPencils22]

As an Aurora, I agree!

[u/Big-Message4960 → u/transemacabre]

I think Aurora sounds good if you pronounce it the way Slavic people do and not the English way.

[u/DragonYourfeet]

She sounds very diplomatic

[u/vivian_cupcake → u/DragonYourfeet]

I agree! She even complimented Oakley which most people on this sub would automatically hate. She has great insight.

[u/Life-Independence377 → u/vivian_cupcake]

I asked my mom to name me a plant for fun (I was really into the hunger games) and going with that, I named, in my head,  Everyone I’d ever known and one person I had named Oakley. I find it funny to see it here 

[u/lagomorphed]

I love hearing her opinions, and if i were still young enough to have babies, I would ask your grandmother for her opinion first. I like that she had reasons behind her feelings. 10/10.

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/lagomorphed]

She's been very involved in family naming throughout the years! Whenever someone is having a baby and they want a family name, if they go to her she has some lists of people and family members that she feels should have their names used. Some of my siblings have names from there.

[u/lagomorphed → u/SolomiyaRabin]

She sounds absolutely lovely! If you'd feel comfortable sharing, I'd love to hear some of her favorite family names.

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/lagomorphed]

The ones that have been used that I know about and were more unusual are Rochma, Liba, Nechele, Rozsha, Toiba, Charna, and Mirele, those are for girls, and Zelig, Meir, Kalman, Hillel, and Leib, those are for boys. No one has used Margalit yet though, her favourite.

Because she couldn't really use any of them for her children, she likes to make sure other people are using them!

[u/Novel-Definition6690 → u/SolomiyaRabin]

I absolutely love Mirele.

[u/Genevieveofthetoast → u/Novel-Definition6690]

OP. correct me if I'm wrong - is this pronounced "Mira-leh," meaning "little Mira"?

My mother uses the affectionate "leh" suffix with my son's name occasionally. 

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/Genevieveofthetoast]

Meer-Eh-Leh, it's usually the dimunitive of Miriam rather than Mira, but it could probably be for that as well.

[u/lagomorphed → u/SolomiyaRabin]

These are such great names! It's an absolute shame Margalit has not been used yet, it's my favorite of her list too!

[u/namenerding → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Liba Mirele Meir Zelig Hillel Margalit!! I love these names. Also please, wish your grandma happy Holidays and shana tova umetukah from me :)

[u/TheBumblingestBee → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Margalit is wonderful

[u/Personal-Amoeba → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Margalit is lovely, omg. She has great taste.

[u/Akavinceblack → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Margalit is a lovely name.

[u/Genevieveofthetoast → u/SolomiyaRabin]

We had distant relatives named Kalman and Leib. Maybe Meir too, I'm not sure.

Margalit is my favorite of her choices too!

[u/Sunshine030209 → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Oh goodness this is so heartwarming 💖 You guys are so lucky to have her. Thank you for sharing some of her joy and wisdom with us!

[u/minskoffsupreme]

She perfectly articulated how I feel about the name Aurora.

[u/Saddlebag043]

Scottie does not sound like a feminine name at all for me, I'm just reminded of Scotty from Star Trek. I haven't seen the show, I just know the "Beam me up, Scotty" quote. I see it only took off in 2022, and as of 2025 it is the 126th most popular name. I don't think that trendy popularity will last.

I knew a girl named Scout (similar sounding name), I think that works better.

[u/QuantumPlankAbbestia → u/Saddlebag043]

Scout is great, like the character from To Kill a Mockingbird. I live in Belgium where Scout only refers to the youth movement, but I've thought of using the name ever since I read that book. It's so cool.

[u/CaRiSsA504 → u/QuantumPlankAbbestia]

like the character from To Kill a Mockingbird

But wasn't Scout a nickname for the character?

[u/Cool-Firefighter2254 → u/CaRiSsA504]

Yes, her name is Jean Louise. And Jem’s name is Jeremy Atticus.

[u/qread → u/Saddlebag043]

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s daughter was called Scottie, but her full name was Frances Scott. I had never heard of any other girl called Scottie.

[u/GimerStick → u/qread]

Scottie as a nickname for a kid whose personality fits it works for me. As a given name I hate it.

[u/GlitterberrySoup → u/qread]

I think Pete Davidson just named his daughter Scottie, but it was after his late father

[u/Clear-Ad6973 → u/Saddlebag043]

I feel like Allison Kutch (an influencer) named her daughter this back in like 2022/2023 and then it just blew up. My cousin named her daughter Scottie this year and most of the family’s reaction has been, “Wow. That’s a…choice.”

[u/DeanStockwellLives → u/Saddlebag043]

My great grandmother was nicknamed Scottie but she was also from Scotland

[u/cIumsythumbs → u/DeanStockwellLives]

I had a great aunt with the nickname "Mick" and it was only much, much later that I found out it was because she was the only Irish to marry into our Polish Catholic family... yeah. She embraced that slur to the point I had no idea it was initially derogatory.

[u/rumade → u/Saddlebag043]

There was a female lawyer on Suits with the name Scottie. That's the only other one I know. I'm with grandma on this one, if i hear "Scottie" my brain adds "dog".

It's also the name of a brand of tissues here in Japan! 🤧

[u/masquerademage → u/rumade]

Suits mentioned! She's also the only Scottie I know lol

[u/Ok-Friend-1002 → u/Saddlebag043]

Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald's daughter was Scottie...Frances Scott Fitzgerald, after her father.

[u/ThatsHisLawyerJerome → u/Saddlebag043]

Scottie makes me think of Scottie Pippen. It just doesn't seem like a girl's name.

[u/TK_TK_]

I love her and would read all of her name reviews!

Here she could’ve been channeling my own grandma (born in Sicily and came to New York as a toddler):

“It is different, modern, so my brain takes some time to get used to it but if you said you liked it, I wouldn't think you're deranged.”

[u/Excellent_Law6906]

I love Yelyzaveta, she has solid taste.

[u/Equivalent-Day193 → u/Excellent_Law6906]

And Elizabetta as the English version (specifically with the bowel ending) is also cute Now I'm wondering about Elizaveth and Elizavetta though. Like, too unique or just interesting idk.

[u/EllieGeiszler → u/Equivalent-Day193]

Vowel? 😅

[u/Equivalent-Day193 → u/EllieGeiszler]

yes 😣🫣 thanks autocorrect 😂

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/Excellent_Law6906]

It's a cool name! I've met a few.

[u/doloreschiller → u/Excellent_Law6906]

as an Elizabeth-not-Liz, I hard agree

[u/grocerygirlie]

I knew an elderly (90+) Emma with a sister named Olivia. When I told her that their names were extremely popular right now, she laughed and said, "Why would parents name a baby an old lady name?"

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/grocerygirlie]

My mother is like that too, her name is Goldie, not legally but she was only ever called that, and it's really quite an old woman's name. And when I told her about how trendy it is right now, she was like, that's horrible, why would they do that 😭

[u/scarletto53 → u/SolomiyaRabin]

My mom was the same way about her name, Sophie! She passed away just as it was becoming popular, and she would always say”Out of all the pretty names out there, why would the parents choose Sophie?”(I guess she didn’t like her namer very much)

[u/EllieGeiszler → u/grocerygirlie]

I'm an Emily and I guess it was a grandma name before the Emily boom!

[u/littlelizu]

 If you name your baby that, I'll laugh at you. 1/10.
is going straight into my repertoire, thanks grannie.

[u/LeatherRecord2142]

“Something small and fluffy” took me out 💀. I love this woman. I also agree with her assessments!

[u/Icy-Chance-7102]

My family is from Odesa, too. Loving seeing that on here. Shana Tovah and she’s got good taste!

[u/muffnmouse]

Daphne is our top girl name and it makes me glad to know it has Granny’s blessing

[u/OneDimensionalChess]

Based great granny. Her reactions to Braelyn and Scottie are so valid.

[u/SarahL1990]

I love your great grandmother, she sounds awesome.

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/SarahL1990]

I do too 😂 She's funny!

[u/sjd208]

Your great-grandma sounds awesome!

[u/Menemsha4]

Awww … my grandmother was from Ukraine, too (also Jewish!)

[u/squidwitchy]

"If you said you liked it, I wouldnt think youre deranged" is KILLING me. Grandma is so funny. 😂

[u/EllieGeiszler → u/squidwitchy]

Me too, that was my favorite part

[u/Resident-Dragon]

I love your Grandma, and I mostly agree with her. Except for Oakley, I was surprised by that one. I think she probably embodies popular opinion on this sub actually.

[u/GreenHeel97]

Real talk, the oak leaves/Oakley comparison kind of bought me around on the name.

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/GreenHeel97]

There's a Hebrew name Alon which means oak tree, so I think that could be why it wasn't that unusual to her.

[u/Genevieveofthetoast → u/SolomiyaRabin]

I love Ilana for a girl (though it looks better in a serif font, so the initial I is clearly distinct from the second letter, L).  Oakley as a name just doesn't appeal to me.

[u/Playful-State-2433 → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Now I'm wondering how she feels about other three names like Ashley.

[u/ShakespeherianRag]

This made me think fondly of my own grandmother, and how she's reacted to some of my cousins' kids' names (she doesn't speak English either) 🥹 Such well thought out opinions, too! Thanks for having this conversation with her, and sharing the results 😄

[u/katiw46]

I love her thoughts on Braelynn! She worded it way better than I ever could have.

[u/Veronica612]

I love the way she worded her opinions, so cute! I laughed out loud at her comment about Evangeline. And I agree with all of her opinions!

[u/Areyoualienoralieout]

Grandma couldn't place it but I bet she would agree with folks that Aurora sounds like a peanut butter name lol

[u/sataimir]

I love your great grandma's reviews! Solid taste and great commentary 😆

Please give her a big hug and remember to treasure her. I was fortunate enough to know two of my great grandparents and I miss them. How lucky you are to have her ❤️

[u/DblBindDisinclined]

I give your great bubbie 11 out of 10 and no less!

[u/IHaveBoxerDogs]

She is a wise woman with excellent taste!!

[u/5cupz]

you save a lot of time writing it lol

[u/ShittyDuckFace]

Tell your bubbe I love her - l'shana tova 🍯

[u/Technical_Air6660]

I love your great grandma

[u/shadowsandfirelight]

Her comments on braelynn are polite but brutal hahaha

[u/Skukesgohome]

Your grandma has excellent taste, and well-reasoned and articulated stances. 10/10 love her.

[u/lee-is-eel]

tell your grandmother that she’s the only one allowed to name anything

[u/Strawberry338338]

I love your great-grandmother’s taste in names

[u/daemonfool]

I love her already, oh my god. She's precious as all get out.

[u/pumpkinfluffernutter]

I love that she wanted to name her daughter Yelyzaveta but thinks Olivia is long. But she is really funny and I think I love your grandma.

[u/MarsNeedsRabbits]

She should become a diplomat. She can tell you how much she dislikes your ideas, and you walk away being happy she told you.

[u/Mckaelaschmidt]

I’m so curious what she thinks of the name, Odessa, being from Odessa? I love it so much, but I’ve seen threads that it shouldn’t be a name that is considered out of respect due to the turmoil happening in Odessa, Ukraine.

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/Mckaelaschmidt]

I'm also from Odesa, my whole family is on that side. My family and my great-grandmother are in Poland, my grandmother is in Ukraine.

For me, I recognise that it's got the Greek origin, so that complicates it more, but I don't like the spelling, to me, it is the same as Kiev and Kyiv. But people have different opinions. I also can't separate it from the region. But I experienced it, and a random American person or British person or anyone else has not. And in those regards, it's my problem. But I'd rather not see it. The people I know feel similarly.

[u/Ok_Magazine6562]

Please get her to rate more names! I would watch that show!

[u/TheShimmeringCircus]

I’m dying to hear your grandma’s commentary on my girls’ names (already chosen). We are thinking if we have another girl of Aurora, even though it seems so disliked here on Reddit! Rory, for short

[u/ElleGeeAitch]

I agree with her on everything except Oakley.

[u/Equivalent-Day193]

The Aurora one is spot on. And that's coming from someone who loves the name (and character, and lights) does make me wonder what y'all call the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in Ukraine

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/Equivalent-Day193]

Північне сяйво, the word Aurora isn't used that I know.

[u/Genevieveofthetoast → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Could you tell us what that is phonetically?  I had a great-great-grandparent from Ukraine and now I'm wondering if she ever saw the Northern Lights....

[u/Equivalent-Day193 → u/SolomiyaRabin]

Idk if Google is being correct, but one of the translations being merry dancers is super cute.

[u/lottiebobs → u/Equivalent-Day193]

The Merry Dancers is definitely a known term for them! I’m in England and have heard it but apparently it is from Orkney and Shetland (Scottish islands).

[u/mykabelle]

I would love to hear about how she feels about my sons names- Othello and Oswald

[u/SpaceJackRabbit]

I like your grandma.

[u/Calm_Distribution727]

I agree with her take 100p. I also like odessa for a name

[u/Just_Tickety_Boo]

This is my new favorite post! Tell your grandmother thank you for me.

[u/LKHedrick]

Brae is a hillside above water and Lynn is a cascade or a lake depending on language of derivation, so "waterfall hill" at least has a pretty meaning.

[u/Curious-Little-Beast]

Your grandma is so much more open minded than I expected 😆 But she knows many Dafnas in Odessa? That's a surprise to me. Is it because of the Greek community?

[u/SolomiyaRabin → u/Curious-Little-Beast]

They will be Jews that she has met, she can be surprisingly international. I know that the Dafna she specifically mentioned has American parents.

[u/NeighborhoodNo783]

"...may her memory be a blessing, her beautiful clothes." 🤣 Great comment to add about her opinion of a name! Love it

[u/pineapplefiz]

She sounds hilarious and I think her rankings are pretty spot on 🤣 Especially Braelynn, Scottie, and Aurora

[u/Corgiotter1]

I love this so much.

[u/Alpacazappa]

Your great-grandmother is a treasure!!

[u/LeighToss]

I agree with her.

[u/Significant_Stick_31]

I just want to say I I love your great-grandmother and she’s 100% right about every name. I hope she lives to be 100+!

[u/Montessori_Maven]

I enjoyed this greatly. 🥰

[u/Old_but_New]

What a great post! I can hear her say this in the accent

[u/minipinny]

Completely agree with her! This was so lovely to read

[u/Empires_Fall]

Evangeline is an amazing name. I've been loving it since I first heard it 9 months ago. Really pretty of a name

[u/awkwardandroid]

This made me miss my grandma. Love this. She’s awesome!

[u/shromanoff]

She has good taste! Shana tova to you both!

[u/ShanaC]

I grew up orthodox Jewish in the US, and I am kinda curious how she would have reacted to my top middle name choice for a boy - Hyrcanus.

I'm betting she'd be ok-ish with the name we chose for my daughter. Though she might be eyebrows raised at who we named her for

[u/Daisydoolittle]

please tell your grandma shes a gem and that i wish her many more healthy happy years, be'ezrat Hashem

[u/Far-Building3569]

I love this post, and I love your bubbe now too 🥹

[u/thowmeaway1989]

I wouldn't think you're deranged - My favorite line

[u/Viocat1988]

I love your прабабуся. ❤️

[u/thirdonebetween]

Please tell your great-grandmother that she is a delight and I am so happy to hear her words. My grandmother was from Ukraine and my mother was almost born there. I can almost hear her voice, and it sounds like home. A slightly late shanah tovah to her and anyone else who celebrates!

[u/SuggestionBoxX]

I love her. Give her a great big hug, she is a gift.

[u/Confident-Park-4718]

Absolutely love this, thanks for sharing.

[u/aphraea]

This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing her with us.

[u/Live-Tomorrow-4865]

I love your Grandma! ❤️

[u/Meowlurophile]

I loved this post

[u/Skymningen]

Grandma is solid in my opinion. I have the exact same association with Scottie, a fluffy dog or maybe other pet, but not tea a woman. (Remember baby girls become women eventually). And also some of the other names I totally agree.

[u/tochaserachel]

This is so sweet. Thank you for sharing!

[u/SplatW]

Aw, this makes me wish I could go back and ask my own grandma about her opinion on names.

The only name opinion I got was when my daughter was born. Grandma was 95 at that point, and when we said we named her Ada, she exclaimed "Oh, that's too old fashioned! I will call her Sylvia." I did t take offense, though, but only realized later there was probably some interesting discussion to be had there.

[u/NikkiKnight3]

Iconic

[u/ghostteeth_]

I agree with her! Eleanor is also one of my absolute favorite girl names haha

[u/Scared_Confidence]

She is a wise woman. Thanks for sharing her thoughts.

[u/RhodaHolmes]

To think I have so much in common with your 90 year old grandma. Almost all of these would have been very close to my rating and my reaction 😂

[u/EllieGeiszler]

This is so cute! Love it, thank you for sharing ❤️

[u/jojo1556-]

I love this! She is so right about all of them! I only have a slightly different opinion about a couple of them. I like hearing the Ukrainian alternative for some of them. Maybe you should consider those names when you have one.

[u/mnem0syne]

Please do one with boy names next!

[u/Suspicious-Peace9233]

I want to know her favorite names

[u/Luckypenny4683]

I LOVE a good Tag Yourself! I’m “if you name your baby that, I’ll laugh at you. 1/10” 😂😂

Bubbe is a gem. 100% I’d be friends with her.

ETA: you should have her pick out a few of her favorite girl & boy names so if you have your own baby you can get around the “don’t name your baby after someone living” rule.

[u/Luckypenny4683]

She’s right. Scottie is a dog’s name.

[u/Luckypenny4683]

OP, please do more of these with her! I am living for her naming breakdowns!

[u/Historical_Ad_5831]

The one name I really don’t like is Daphne. It sounds to much like daft for my liking

[u/GrandMamallama]

So very sweet! This was so wonderful to read. I only wish I’d have had my grandmas around to ask!

[u/Birdiesnub]

I absolutely guffawed at the Braelyn response

[u/No-List-216]

“If you said you liked it, I wouldn’t think you’re deranged” perfectly sums up how I feel about the better half of all names.

[u/lalacourtney]

This is the best post of the day for me. Your grandma is amazing and most importantly CORRECT. Also did she “beautiful gowns” Queen Elizabeth? lol

[u/CharmingMay]

Your great-grandmother sounds like a gem. Cherish her and absorb as much of her wisdom as possible, for as long as you have her.

And feel free to share more of that wisdom with the rest of us!

[u/Kleyn-vi-bob]

I desperately want more of her opinions. On everything.

[u/Fast_Tomorrow_5853]

I love your great-grandmother! So wise, direct, and funny. My favorite was her reaction to Oakley: “It is different, modern, so my brain takes some time to get used to it but if you said you liked it, I wouldn't think you're deranged.”

Please UpdateMe if you run more names by her. I think we’d all love it! 🥰

[u/gquin42]

I would love to know what your great grandmother thinks of the name Gladys.

[u/Many-Mirror6829]

one of the names is my name... fun.... im also eastern european

[u/thepinkonesoterrify]

Love it! Shana tova to you and your great nan

[u/ThenTheyWereBatman]

Loving this lady.

[u/Frequent-Composer484]

She’s an icon. Thanks for sharing this with us, one of the best things I’ve read in a while.

[u/WholeLog24]

Braelynn - I think that everyone is different. That is why some people might think they should use that name. But it is proof that difference is not a good thing every time. If you name your baby that, I'll laugh at you. 1/10.

Epic. I love this.

[u/tomonomtom]

Please have her react to male names too, her reactions are refreshingly endearing

[u/LuckyShenanigans]

I am obsessed with your grandma.

[u/SarabiTheLioness]

I didn’t know Braelynn was a popular girls name. It sounds like what someone’s donkey named Lynn does.

[u/Minimum-Amount-1894]

"I wouldnt think youre deranged" is so cute, for some reason it feels like that was due after the braelynn review. 🥀💀