Why Do Strangers Ask Babys Name?

I would probably drive you mad... I'm going to be that creepy old lady who goes around touching everyone's babies, I LOVE BABIES!!

I always ask, I can't help it, like I'm compelled to know the child's name and how old they are, LOL!! It's really bad... I've been like this since I was very young, since my middle brother was born (And he's only 23 months younger than me! That's almost 27 years of loving babies!!)

Some people just can't help themselves, be flattered :)

I ask because I love names and I love children/babies. Then I can say hello to the little baby using their name. Plus it is just fun to associate a name with a new little person. I love hearing all the different names people choose. Personally, I enjoy it when people ask about my kids. It's ok not to like it, but get used to it bc it will will probably always happen when you are out with a cute baby!

How strange a question was asked and then a poster daned to suggest you are cold. This is exactly the kind a response that makes me question the use of this site.

Anyhoo...I was very protective of my daughter when she was a baby and practically did fake outs when someone reached for my daughter.

And the biggest peeve and still is the name thing. It gets my back up every time. She's now 4.5 and it drives me up the wall when people that I don't know ask her. We go to the same Trader Joes, Starbucks, etc every week. What if someone calls her name at the park nearby. I'm not terribly worried because I'm always at the park with her, but still...

No answers, just w/ you regarding the peeve.

Wow, It is interesting because maybe it is a regional thing, but down here we love knowing and then complimenting the names given to babies or children.

You sound a bit cold.. are you frightened? Do your family members all feel the same? .... I loved sharing our child with others, bragging about her, telling about her personality.. .

It is like a greeting.. Of course we like talking to anyone, maybe up where you are that is not common?

Babies are just so special and such a gift, we are celebrating with you. It is like when you see a cute baby animal and you want to know how old and what it is named.. They are just so sweet.

Also, I am of a Hispanic heritage and it is a tradition to touch a child that you admire to keep the "ojo's" away.. (It is the evil eye..) I know it sounds ridiculous.. but we would never take the chance.

I guess it is just a matter of what you are used to.

I apologize that I came off rude, I will double up on my meds.. I just had never heard anyone say such things before about people just trying to be friendly.. It just sounds strange to me..

You may want to ask your doctor about post-partum depression. Sometimes when you are fixated on these things it is a symptom.

I live in Chicago too, born and raised, and often ask questions about babies I see. All the ones you listed. All those very same questions have been asked about my own children, and I never gave it a second thought. Babies attract attention, people love babies. For months after they're born it's big news to the parents. I love my kids' names and happily tell anybody who will listen. What's the big deal? Why does it make you so uncomfortable? Why a fake name? I guess I understand you not wanting strangers to touch your child, although gentle tickle on the foot or hand is fairly benign.
I honestly think babies and small children bring out the best in most people, open them up, bring us back to a simpler time when everybody wasn't so self interested and self obsessed. Showing interest in a child is just politeness. To think it's anything else is a little paranoid.

Hi,
I don't really see a problem with it. I see it as friendly or neighborly. For me it's usually elderly people; I guess they love babies! I think its cute. After I tell them my son's age (2 yrs), they usually tell me about their grandchildren's ages.
I'll sometimes ask another parent at the park or pool. Usually to see if their kid is close to my son and perhaps a potential friend. Sometimes its just to start up a conversation. I like to meet and get to know my neighbors. :)
Oh, and I lived in chicago for over 6 years, now I'm in a suburb. :)

Parents typically LOVE to talk about their children and strangers are being friendly asking names and ages. I agree about the no touching but I have loved to talk about my daughter and find almost everyone I come in contact with to be the same. Fake name?? I don't get that, they are not trying to steal your kid's identity.

I get why you wouldn't want anyone touching your kid, but asking their name... really? I always ask mom's what their kids names are - I think it's a great way to break the ice, plus I just want to know. I once asked a mom what her baby's name was and she told me that her name was the same as mine. I told her that that was my name as well and even though I am a woman, I was named after my grandfather. She said her daughter was too. So, we started talking and I would see her at story times from time to time and we would always say hi and talk to each other a little bit. Just because I opened up and asked her what her daughter's name was. I also love hearing all the cute names people come up with for their children.

Um....people just like to hear baby names. And babies are soft and cute.

Personally, having traveled a lot, I think it's very common in other countries for people to stop and talk to you and your child. I find it very warm and loving. I really love it when people make an effort to talk and greet my children. Living in Italy, they literally hug and kiss them! When the intention is good it's so beautiful and innocent. Please don't be so defensive, so long as your kid is safe with you, what does polite conversation bother you?

I love babies! Each time I see one I just can't believe how wonderfully awesome God is in his creation. I have often asked what a child's name is. I love hearing the names. Often times I will pray for the baby after I walk away. I don't think anyone means to annoy you. What difference does it make. If they are strangers and you live in a city chances are you will never see them again. I enjoyed telling people my children's names especially the youngest because my older children named her. Her name is a reflection of our family, all that we believe in and how incredibly thankful we were for her life.

You have already gotten a TON of responses so you probably don't need another but here goes....I am SO guilty of this!!! I Work in a pharmacy in a big grocery store and I see babies and toddlers ALL DAY LONG!! If it is someone I know and the baby is willing I have been known to pick that little bundle up and get a little cuddle time in !!! I just love and adore babies and as some have said...it gives me a chance to talk about my favorite subject..my grandchildren!!!
If a toddler makes eye contact with me as I walk through the store I will stop and talk to them...tell the parents how adorable they are...I have never gotten a bad reaction from someone...some are warmer and more friendly than others but I have never had anyone rebuff me.
I understand what you are saying about being concerned about touching...especially if the face is touched...but I would hope that most people who are interested enough to interact with a child would be wise enough not to touch if they are ill. I recently dealt with a poison ivy type rash on my arm for a week or so..and I talked to the precious babies from afar.
Take JOY in the fact that your little one brings the positive side out in people...relish the fact that others see your child as loveable and interact in a positive way with him!!! Enjoy!!!

It's baby small talk and I think it's fairly universal.
People ask a name because sometimes it gives away whether it's a boy or girl, and mothers sometimes get huffy if their child is referred to as 'he' or 'she' when the child is the opposite sex.
Seriously - what do you think a stranger is going to do with your baby's name?
Give it a few years and you'll be shouting it across a playground and the whole world is going to hear you.
His name will be on his birthday party invitations, drivers license and diploma, too.
People are just curious and most of the time parents love the attention and it gives them a chance to glow with parental pride.
Baby feet/hands are adorable - some old ladies love to give a little hand shake.
I didn't like strangers touching my son either.
If you can, wear your child in a baby carrier/sling and most people will not come with in touching distance.
Babies make a big transition when they are born - from being inside the womb to being on the outside.
I think it takes awhile for Moms to make that transition too - inside the womb is so private - outside it is so much more public.
When you bring a child into the world it's a bit startling when the world notices, but you get use to it sooner or later.

I always ask a baby's name, and was always pleased when folks asked me my baby's name. Babies are people, not furniture, and even though they may not recognize the name yet, it seems only respectful, to me, to acknowledge them respectfully. One way most cultures do that is by learning a person's name, and using it.

Other reasons I ask are that it seems a way to be friendly. I usually introduce myself by name before or right after I speak the baby's name to him/her. And, I'm just plain curious. I like to hear the trends in names over generations. Finally, it has always seemed to me that parents were happy to tell strangers their baby's names.

(Although I can sure understand parents not wanting their baby to be touched by strangers. That's something I would never do without asking permission first.)

So, I'm kind of wondering whether this is a new trend, or maybe a regional trend, or perhaps a trend in bigger cities, for parents to be private/possessive/guarded about their baby's name. Is it a safety or privacy issue? If this is becoming a new social expectation, I'd like to know, so I don't offend any younger parents.

You better get used to it because from my experience it doesn't stop after infancy. Older people, especially, loved (and actually still do) to talk with my daughters. Babies and children are full of life, new to the world and so incredibly innocent people that don't get to be around them everyday and probably miss their own kids or grandkids want to interact with them a little. I personally think it's sweet.
When my youngest was about four she wore this little felt elephant tail hanging from the back of her shirt, I think it was from a halloween costume. She would wear it everywhere and was so excited when people noticed. While shopping once and older woman gave her so much attention saying "I see your little tail, what kind of animal are you?" It was very sweet, my kid beamed because someone had noticed. The older woman said her grandkids live across the country from her and she rarely sees them. We shopped along together and then ended up in line near eachother. It was clear we had made her day, she made my daughter's day. Need I say more?

Definitely not regional. I've honestly never heard of someone having a problem with the name, age, etc being asked.. Of course someone wouldn't want to ask a grown up. Babies are just precious and people think of their own kids, or family and its fun to know how old. Asking a name is totally innocent.. With so many different names these days, etc.. .Its just cute to put a name with a precious baby face. Lighten up M. :) Its all innocent ... Yeah I agree with the touching thing a little... I agree with Leah M.. If an elderly lady touches my baby (i have a 9 month old - 3rd baby girl) on the foot or tries to tickle her lightly... I think how sweet it is that people are fun loving and friendly :)
And by the way... germs are really not a horrible thing especially at 8 months. You will seriously do more harm to your baby by trying to be a germ phobic .... Kids really need germs for their immune system to work. Look up something called hygiene hypothesis :)

That really doesn't bother me at all. It's not like your baby is going to get out of it's carrier b/c a stranger calls it by it's name, lol.
I guess I'm just a proud M.! I don't care about any of that stuff. My kid is in my guard until we get home.

People like children and they're being interested. I think it's a nice aspect of being part of a community. I like it when people chat to me about my children and ask their names. And BTW my youngest's name is actually George. And his godfather is George Clooney.

Is this a privacy thing or a safety thing? Some people are just more private than others, you sound like you might be one of them. To each his/her own. Maybe you just need to let askers know that you are a private person and prefer not to share such personal information about your family. If it is a safety thing, then you need to start thinking about what you plan to call your children in public. Are you going to avoid saying their names at the park just in case a predator is there and overhears you?
We use names all the time, in all sorts of places and situations. We have them for a reason -- to be social. Just try to keep in mind that the askers do not realize they are offending you, it is not their intention. They think they are being friendly and kind. I am sorry you don't see it that way.

I live in Chicago and LOVE asking babys names! They are a blessing from God and youhave given them a name! It is something wonderful! I think it is really neat to hear all the different names people name their children, as I especially love unique names. I would try not to take offense and see it as people are sharing in your joy of the birth of your son and seeing your baby as an individual with his/her name and honoring him/her as such.
Enjoy your new baby! And if I see you out and ask your childs name, please dont take offense, I am sharing in your joy in a way that expresses my joy for you! Love and light to you!!

I actually like when people show interest in my babies and want to know their names and ages. No one has ever tried touching my kids, that I wouldn't be too excited about but in my 3 years as a parent it's never happened. I don't understand giving someone a fake name for your child though??

Some people enjoy seeing a baby. Some like to know what the common current names are. Some just are friendly, polite people being nice to you. I see a young M. with a baby and it reminds me of when my kids were tiny and how fun it was, and how young I was, and I usually say something nice and encourging to them. Its too bad you dont enjoy this attention. Im pretty sure no one means any harm to you or the baby.

Born & raised in Chicago area, and asking the names is part of being social. It is about trying to make a community rather than just strangers who pass each other. Community means more interaction between strangers, and makes for a better social environment. Community makes for less crime, because you are putting names and faces to property owners. When your kids are real little it's easy to ignore how much striving to interact with strangers makes for a community. It doesn't mean you have to share everything with strangers, because you do deserve privacy. Just a smile and addressing people by name makes a big difference though.

I am a city girl too. Born in Manhattan, NY. I do not think anyone touching anyone else's babies is ok. I never do that. I do not mind anyone else asking the name or other questions. I get that all the time, living in suburbia now. I am not offended one bit. I have never given a fake name out. Sometimes older ladies have touched my babies. As long as they've had their shots (ie not under 3 months please!) I don't mind too much, it doesn't happen often.

I have to say, I disagree that it's regional. I think to each his own. You personally have a problem with it. I don't. That's fine....

I like to hear different names?
To see how intresting, common, unusual, etc they are.
Just like I love to see the baby name polls on this site to see what others come up with, would have named their child if <fill in the blank> or just plain like.
I've never met anyone that was offended, granted I don't flag down every parent I see in the grocery store parking lot either, lol. I mostly ask strangers I meet at functions of my friends (like bday parties, social gatherings, etc), but I probably have asked a complete stranger once or twice in my life.
Sorry you find it unacceptable, tell me that if I ever run into ya, I just really like names. =)
ETA: I agree with the touching thing....although when I had my preemie the Dr told me if someone goes to touch the baby encourage them to touch the feet rather any other place. I still didn't like people reaching out to touch my kid though lol.

I LOVE when people ask about and swoon over my baby. I also LOVE to swoon and ask questions about other babies.

Babies are SO mesmerizing and interesting.

Hey M.!
Maybe it is a regional thing? I am intexas and I wouldn't consider it rude or weird. I love to hear names of everyone, not just babies. Now would I have let someone hold my baby I didn't know-absolutley not! I live in a suburb of dallas and its not massive but down here, you would be bothered! Im guilty of it myself. I will watch myself next time, I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Btw, it doesn't make you cold or rude. Your a M. protecting your baby. Thats what your supposed to do! :)

i think they are just curious. i have a lot of people ask those questions about my daughter. when my daughter was under 6 months i would always keep a light blanket draped over her infant carrier so people wouldnt touch her. i have actually had a person ask if they can hold her! i was like no. i see it as harmless to ask those questions. as for the touching. its a baby you have wipes simply wipe their hands or feet off after the person walks away.

How old is your baby? You said you are a new mom. I am responding to your post b/c you sounded like me when I was a new mom. I agree with the touching of the baby,especially since they put their hands in their mouth all the time. I didn't really relax about things with my son until my daughter was born. I had to let go of things and just go. I am asking how young your baby is b/c looking back I think I had undiagnosed post patrum depression and wish I had gotten help or learned to let go of things to make life easier. I only read a couple of the posts, and I think what people forget is how hard it is being a new mom, and also, yes to the people who said as time goes on everyone will know your kids name (s). Don't fret M., we all do what we can at the time with what we have :) We only have so much energy to give, and as I type this laughingly, sometimes people annoy us :)

Funny but someone asking me my child's name is the least annoying question out of the many people ask. I agree , that I would never ask any of those questions, though.

I think it's sad that people would need to worry that their interest / excitement over a new baby would inspire such defensiveness from its mother. Goodness.

I agree that touching is a bit of a boundary cross, esp if the baby is very young and especially vulnerable to germs and illness.

I would think they're asking about the name so they can acknowledge him as a PERSON and not as an "it". I'm sorry, but I don't think the name question is too personal or strange at all. That a mom would lie about her kid's name seems more strange to me - no matter where she's from.

I think it's sweet how babies bring out the "softer side" of people and give us a few moments to connect over the joys / frustrations / shared experiences of a new life. What's the big deal? Why not be gracious?

Why? People are social and are being nice to you, that's why. It's NICE when people show interest in you and your baby. Questions like that aren't "way too personal" but they're following through with normal social courtesies that tell you they're happy to see a cute baby out with her mother. It's not strange, it's normal.

I ask about names personally because I'm a name nerd. I actually study names and was employed by a name web site for a while as a name expert. I love onomastics and I still indulge in it as a hobby. However, when I ask, I phrase it as, "Do you mind if I ask what your baby's name is? I'll understand if you think that's too personal."

The general, generic questions are harmless though. When they do get too personal I always deflected them by stating straight out that I wasn't comfortable answering that because it was just a little too much personal information.

I also will not touch a stranger's baby without permission. I never minded the questions or people asking my babies names, but I did have the little sign that asked people not to touch my baby due to their young age and germs. There's a web site that makes them so that they're polite and cute.

Because babies are a miracle, they are so soft, they are the most precious gift from God and sometimes people just can't help it. I often find myself reaching out to touch the baby too, I try to just make it into a pointed hand and tell the kids to look at the baby or something cause I feel silly stopping half way. I think people ask the babies name to make conversation and to see if you named them something ridiculous like the celebrities do.

If you don't want the baby touched you might try leaving the baby with a babysitter until they are older when you go to the store and other places where they will be in contact with strangers. A lot of my friends sequester themselves for the first 6 weeks then leave the baby at home when going out until about 4-5 months. That way the baby is very limited on the germs they come into contact with.

It's natural like welcoming a new baby into the tribe only our tribe is so big we don't all already know one another.
I too mind the touching of babies and do not do it unless the child reaches out to touch me first when in it's mother's arms.
People who aren't Protestant or whose ancestors came from other cultures do not think asking about a baby to be rude or nosey. It's done in their cultures and no matter how Americanized they get for many generations it's what they will do.

Seriously, because they want to know.

I don't think anything of it when someone asks my childrens' names. I've done the same thing. I see cute kids and if their parents seem friendly, I might make conversation and ask. I would never touch someone's baby and really didn't like it when complete strangers tried to touch mine.

Touching is not okay ever from a stranger.

I love seeing babies out in public because I miss having a little baby, and I say they are adorable, or ask their age, and sometimes I ask the name because I was obsessed with picking a name for my son, and I'm always curious what other people have chosen. Recently I asked a mom who had named her son Casper. I thought it was really cute, and I never even thought of that name when I had my son.

people LOVE babies.
they want to know if they are right about age, name, sex , etc. What's the first thing I do when I see a baby? guess the age, and sex. well if I don't ask I'll never know if I was right. Babies are made to be cute cuddly , and they just pull people to touch, and pinch and tickle.
you could intercept the person before they touch baby, you can tell when someone is going to touch.

I understand. I HATE when people touch my child. I am sorry but I dont know where your hands have been. When it has already happened, I keep hand sanitizer in my purse, I put it on his hands, or wherever the stranger has touched. It doesnt make me feel bad either, I did it in front of a woman before and she just said "Oh! I am so sorry, I didnt even think about it"

So most people dont think before they do things. Some just cant help themselves.

The name thing. I think some people just like to hear what other Mom's have come up with for names. Its a natural curiosity. I have asked the name before, just because the child is so beautiful that I ask what it is.

The entire thing is just curiosity and human nature. Keep some hand sanitizer with you, and when it happens again whip it out, and smile.

You arent cold you just dont want strangers touching your kid. Nothing wrong with that.

It doesn't bother me at all when someone asks my kids' names. It is just a way of personalizing and being friendly.

I get VERY peeved, however, if someone tries to TOUCH my baby (I wouldn't mind the feet, but everyone knows a baby's hands always go in their mouths and shouldn't be contaminated.)

I also get a bit annoyed when someone asks me if my 4.5 month old and 2 year old are twins. Well, not annoyed, but I kinda look at them like, duh....no!

Because they want to run online and look up the birth announcement then open credit in your child's name.

OK, I am paranoid. I don't know either.

I sometimes ask how old the baby is, but not usually the name. I would NEVER touch somebody's baby. Sometimes if we're in line behind a baby at the store, my kids will start to make a move to touch, and I always reprimand them and tell them to look with their eyes. I hated it when people tried to touch my babies, so I get where you're coming from. But I think people are just naturally curious about babies. I wouldn't worry about the name thing until your child is older. We were in front of a creepy, old man in a grocery store once. He asked my 9 yr old daughter her name, then kept talking to her and trying to get her attention by using her name. I told her in the future to say she doesn't give her name out to strangers. So creepy!

I don't have a problem with people asking for my babys name or saying something sweet about him. I personally encourage them too touch him .they always touch his hand by the way.I also am very curious about babies I always ask for their names and age its just so amazing to learn all this cute names.

Sometimes people might ask the name because they want to determine the sex of the baby without offending you. Why would that upset you so much? Touching, yuck! Name, who cares?

I usually don't touch or ask much about other people's children, but I LOVE it when they pay attention to my DD because I think she is the cutest baby in the world. I don't mind them asking her name and as long as they don't touch her mouth or face it doesn't bother me. A few times in the grocery store, the checkers/baggers have held her hand. Being the new paranoid momma I am, I would use a wipe to clean her hand after we left the store. Now that she is a year old I'm less worried about germs. I encourage her to say hello to people because I want her to learn to be friendly, but then I'm a people person and love to talk even if it's to strangers.

A lot of people did it where I'm from (SC), names are cute and it's cute to hear some of the creative names people come up with. I've never been asked or asked personally b/c I just never did. If they don't ask for my name, why ask for the babys though? As a mom, I wouldn't give it out b/c I am protective. One thing that isn't cool is touching the baby. I don't get how people are comfortable touching another stranger's baby.
If they had already touched the baby's feet or hands honestly I'm sarcastic, I'd make a scrunchy face and be like "ohhhhh she has a pretty bad bug, hope you don't get that"

I am from Chicago and have never heard of anyone having a problem with asking babies names, I do all the time. I love it when people ask my boys names I am so proud of them and I love their names, happy to share. I LOVE babies, and am always interacting with them (never touching).

I totally get where you're coming from. My son is 8 and I don't like him telling his name to strangers unless I give him permission to. Why would I offer that up to a stranger about my baby daughter? But I have. What a conundrum.

HOWEVER, I'm also a major introvert. Yes, I'll make polite conversation, but I don't seek it out and don't tend to engage others to keep a conversation going about me or my kids once something has started. Small talk and I just don't get along. I don't ask names and usually not ages and I certainly don't touch because of my introverted discomfort. So therefore, due to my introvertedness, I get physically uncomfortable when personal space boundaries are crossed. That doesn't mean that the other person did anything WRONG, per se. But it's just how it affected me. And sometimes I'm projecting my discomfort onto my child when strangers ask questions or go for a touch. Again, they're not doing anything wrong, but it's just how it affects me. I have to make a conscious effort to not be standoff-ish because it's not that I'm trying to be like that, it's just more mentally comfortable to not engage.

Conversely, nearly every single of the majorly extroverted people I know do all those things that make me uncomfortable.

Perhaps you have a very real personality difference, which is also part of what makes our social community that much richer. If everyone were the same, it sure would get pretty boring!

I am not offended when strangers ask my baby's name, but I always wonder, "What's it to ya?" I am offended when strangers reach out to touch my baby. Ugh!! Depending on the setting, I either say something like, "Did you just wash your hands?" or I make sure that they see me wiping him down with a baby wipe. He sucks his fingers AND toes, so all skin is off limits!

My 7mo's got about 5 inches of hair, so people always want to pat his head or run their fingers through it. Seriously? Without even asking? Oh, yeah, I pull away then. For kicks, I might say something like, "Yeah, it's a lot of hair. NOW, I have to go wash it."

I can certainly appreciate the excitement, but that does not erase the boundaries...or the cold or other germs. Gross! I live in the South, and I HATE for people to assume the right to touch my baby or my pregnant belly. Just because it's out there for you to see does not mean that I want to talk about it. Why can't people be happy while still recognizing that this is yet a personal family matter? Yeah, having a baby is a personal family matter, one that, unfortunately, is right there for everyone to watch unfold. I felt like I was in a fish bowl. Since it's already like that, I would think that people would be sensitive to it and give a pregnant woman or her new baby space.

I am NOT depressed. I just pay attention to all the little things that some people seem to overlook.

LOL about the fake name "George!" =D

I think it is regional. I have lived in Chicago for most of my life but I am from Kansas. I am with you on this, for many reasons. There are so many diseases going around please don't touch babies hands because they put them in their mouths. And their skin is so sensative you could give them a rash because the lotion you use irritates their delicate skin. I never had anyone ask my childrens names but just today in Kohl's the sales lady asked my granddaughter her name. I think it was just because she (the grandbaby) was so talkative today. Usually she is shy around strangers, but today she felt comfortable talking to the sales lady. I always hear from people Oh she is so beautiful and I tell her to say thank you and sometimes they will ask her what her name is but it isn't often. I don't think you are mean, just cautious. There are so many crazies out there that you never know. You have to be careful, anytime someone tries to snatch your child from your hand while you and the family are out walking. (happened this summer at the Taste here in Chicago). You just never know.

Personally, I LOVE babies. And seeing babies reminds me of when mine were so small and now they are so big!!! I also love to hear what people name their kids just because it's interesting. It doesn't *do* anything for me, and it doesn't really matter to me. I just like people and kids.

I try really hard not to touch other people's babies. Especially when you're a new mom it's disturbing to have people's germy hands on your baby. I didn't get so bothered by them touching their feet because how cute are baby feet???! But yeah, I never let strangers hold my babies and I didn't like people getting close and touching their faces etc... You know what REALLY drove me crazy was people touching my BELLY when I was pregnant. Talk about crossing boundaries... hellloooo???

I don't think you sound cold... you sound like a new protective M. B.. Nothing wrong with that. Congratulations on your sweet baby "George." :)

Well, as a name junkie, I understand why they ask. However, unless I am having a 'get to know you conversation', I myself wouldn't ask...

I am however baffled by how many times people actually ask my son-who clearly is not old enough to talk-what his name is.
I mean-lol-what do I do in that situation? Sometimes I just say "His name is ____".
Sometimes I answer in a silly high pitched voice "My name is ____".

So silly.

I have never really had a problem w/ people touching (pregnant) me or my kids. That is-they rarely did/do it. I guess we are not very inviting looking. ;)

Put your 'mean M. B.' face on while your out...that should help. ;)

I understand your feelings about the touching.
As far as the name, I think it's because folks just want to say hi and talk to the baby, using the name.

I am from Chicago as well - born and raised - and I'm not a fan of people touching my kids at all -- whether they are infants or toddlers. As someone said leave them home with a sitter...why? Why should I leave my kids home because I don't want them to be touched by strangers?
I understand that people love babies, kids in general. really. We are always polite and and speak to anyone who talks to us/our kids - however, I don't feel that simply because they are children they are fair game.
Would you walk up to an adult at the store and just touch their skin or hair?

Oh I agree with you wholeheartedly! I don't think you are cool or rude :) and I work in Chicago and live in the burbs. I have 3 kids 4 and under- including a 13 week old! People are always trying to touch him and ask the same questions, including name! It doesn't stop at baby, people have asked my daughter, who turned 4 in July her name or asked me....I think, what does it matter to you weirdo! I tell them or she does but then we move away pretty quickly! Feel your pain ;) ha!

You don't sound cold to me. I think it possibly is a regional thing, as well as a cautious thing. I know, for me, I didn't like when strangers would touch my son, either( and I am from the south). Names, I haven't minded giving out his name, unless it is a creepy looking person( you know the type when your mother's instinct/intuition is heightened)..Otherwise I don't mind. Age, is just a number. Although, I have to say that since I live in New England, I don't have many people asking me his name, age, or touch him. Whereas, when I go back to TN, or Fl, tons of people will come up, or ask, or touch..Go figure.
Haha-George. I used to use that name when guys would try to pick me up! It's a good fake name!