Baby 8 months - change name??

[Ficidy]

I doubt every day that I called my nearly 8 month old the right name. Is it too late to change it? His name is Gabriel and I am so worried about the 'Gay' jokes when he's older. Kids can be cruel.

My husband will freak out if I mention this though.

[Sophronia]

Gabriel is a lovely name! I wouldn't change it.

[PotteringAlong]

No. The time for doubts was 9 months ago.

[marblestatue]

It's a lovely name

[Spottytop1]

You can change it but the original birth certificate will always need to be used as the dead poll paperwork has to go with the birth certificate.

I would not change such a lovely name for worries about cruel people making jokes ...

[albertcampionscat]

Gabriel is a great name.

[juneau]

I love the name Gabriel. I doubt anyone is going to call him gay and if they do he can retort 'Dude, I'm an archangel, don't you know anything?

[MotherFlippinRhymnocerous]

Gabriel is a gorgeous name.

You can't change his name based on what some imaginary bullies might one day call him. Almost all names can be turned into something rude or offensive. It's really pointless to worry about it now and to lose such a nice name.

[DerelictMyBalls]

Why would your husband freak out if you mentioned it?

I have to say that I know a Gabriel and he does get called 'Gay' a lot - in a good natured way. It's just the natural shortening.

[Peregrina]

I do understand where you are coming from - a female friend called Gabriella started using her 2nd name once she got to secondary school, no doubt for that reason.

I think you can within the first year. I had a friend who did this with one of her children. It was a bit odd at first, but we got used to it pretty quickly.

gingerbread.org.uk/factsheet/33/Changing-a-child%E2%80%99s-name-or-birth-certificate

One obvious thing to do would be to add another name and use Gabriel as a second/third name.

[SteviebunsBottrittrundle]

I didn't know Gabriella could be shortened to Gay, though I do know a female Gay. Always thought she was Gaynor though... It doesn't even sound like Gay! Names are weird.

Anyway OP, I love Gabriel and there are a few about. I wouldn't change it personally but he's not my DS. Better now than when he's a bit older though I guess.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Gabriel's we know tend to be Gabe.

[Stripykitten]

My niece is called Gabriela, we call her Gaby. She's five now and she's little miss popularity at school, no issues there but then again the pronunciation is different.

If you like the name, keep it. Think gay as happy ;)

[Izzyathome]

You absolutely can change it at 8 months, and should do if both you and your partner have serious doubts. BUT I love Gabriel and wouldn't worry about the nn Gay at all. I know two toddler Gabriels and they (or their parents) both shorten it to Gabe - which is a really lovely, strong name. I say keep it!

[YouMakeMyDreams]

I love love love the name Gabriel. Exh didn't though so never used it.
If you really hate it change it I believe you can in the first year. But I have to say if kids are going to pick on something they will find it no matter what so I wouldn't change it because of something that may or may not happen in years to come.

[Zhabr]

I know one teenage Gabriel and one pre-teen Gabriele. As far as I know, nobody ever made that kind of connection. Gabriel known as Gabe, Gabriele as Gabri.

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

I know a Gabriel in his early 30's. He's always been Gabe.

[wonkylampshade]

It's a lovely name - just start calling him Gabe and pre-empt the nickname phase.

[Ficidy]

Thanks everyone. You have put my mind at ease and I'm going to keep the name. We do call him Gabe and my toddler likes to call him Gabey :-)

[Missgraeme]

My Gabriel is 16 and loves his name! Always gets Gabriel too! His friend is also called Gabriel and he gets Gabs. Its a fab name!!

[SausageDogGeorge]

I love the name Gabriel - my DS (age 13) has a friend called Gabriel - they are in a group of typical 'lads' and love football, Xbox etc and not one of them has ever mentioned his name being 'gay' or strange at all.

Kids can be cruel but if a child is going to be picked on it could be for absolutely anything at all......leave the name as it is and don't worry!