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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Help, I've chosen the wrong name!!!

41 replies

Newcy2014 · 27/08/2014 11:49

Hello, I'm new to mums net, and even new to online forums, but I need some opinions/advice! My little boy is 14 months old and I really regret the name we gave him. We couldn't agree on a name, and in the end, hormones surging and pressure to name him immediately (mostly from my mum), I went with my husbands choice - Stanley. I really hoped that the name would grow on me, but still after all this time, I still hesitate briefly when people ask me what his name is, I call him pet names when we go to soft play as I almost feel embarrassed by his name. I know that this is ridiculous, and that many retro names are making a comeback, but I can't help this gut feeling I have, and I've almost given up hoping that it will grow on me.

There have been many opinions on the name, but most of the ones I read are from a few years ago now. What are peoples thoughts, now that older names have been making a come back? Should I look into changing it?

Thank you

OP posts:

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HumblePieMonster · 27/09/2014 20:37

fourteen months is too late to change his name, he knows it.

use 'Stanley my love' or 'Stanley dearest' to make sure you get the message across that your flinch when you say his name isn't about him.

birdofthenorth · 26/09/2014 14:55

Love love love Stanley.

PrincessPenguin · 26/09/2014 14:22

i LOVE Stanley! One of my friends has twins called Hester and Stanley and I think they're great.

clairemum22 · 25/09/2014 22:23

I like Stanley! My own dd has a name that I like but woe betide anyone shorten it!!!

DanyStormborn · 25/09/2014 21:00

I think Stanley is a cool name and could make a comeback.

cheesecakemom · 22/09/2014 22:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

SavoyCabbage · 21/09/2014 23:31

This happened to me, I was pressured into dd2's name after I gave birth. I wish I'd changed it. Like you, I don't hate the name, I just don't love it because it didn't choose it myself.

It sounds like you don't what to so could you choose a nickname that you can use more permentantly? Not Moo or chubby cheeks but something that can carry you through the years a bit.

I work somewhere where I see literally hundreds of children's names a day. There are a fair few nickname names. Bear, Coco, Tiger. That sort of thing.

LBNM19 · 21/09/2014 23:06

I like Stanley xx

HappydaysArehere · 21/09/2014 22:31

Will sound classy and dependable on his first job application!

Siennasun · 21/09/2014 22:30

I like Stan/Stanley. It's not too common but not weird either.

I know a really cute little Stan. His parents are surfers. I suspect Stan will be very cool when he's older

Viviennemary · 21/09/2014 19:22

If you still don't like it after all this time then certainly consider changing it. I'm not keen on it at all but it's a sensible solid name. However, in the end it's your choice and if you're not happy then change it if your DH agrees.

alexkerr · 21/09/2014 19:19

I love Stanley! but as has slready been said it will suit him when he is a toddler!

jaykay34 · 29/08/2014 16:17

I love the name...it's both my Grandad's names and my uncle's name. Although just for the record...they all hate it !

I'm currently pregnant and my little boy's middle name will be Stanley. I did want it as his first name but DP wasn't quite as enthusiastic - so we comprimised.

I think it's a real marmite name...its either loved or unloved.

Does it suit your son ?

I'm not overly keen on my elder son's name now as it's massively common and there are always loads of them. Plus as I knew it was common, I gave it a slightly different spelling - which my son hates and uses the normal spelling !! However, he is 11 years old now and I have to admit it really suits him.

GertrudeTheMongrel · 28/08/2014 13:11

I would keep it. If you don't hate it, and your husband loves it, then maybe just accept it?

Dontgotosleep · 28/08/2014 13:05

Stanley. That is so cute.

Original poster

Newcy2014 · 28/08/2014 11:35

Thank you everyone! Talk about a problem shared.... I was really obsessing about it, but I am starting to feel a bit clearer about what I want to do. I have tried to talk to my husband, but he really LOVES the name and can't understand why I have a problem. I don't really really hate it, I just don't really like it, I although I do like other 'retro' names. It doesn't help that my mum was refusing to call him the name she'd pressured me into giving him, on the night we brought him home, as she thought it was a truly awful name (I certainly won't make that mistake again!).

His middle name was more an honorary name, and not one that we really intended to use, although it's okay actually. The problem is, we still don't agree on alternatives. I'm going to find out about adding a new first name, and keeping his name as another middle name, then have another talk with my husband. I feel rather sentimental about all cards etc that we received, so I want to keep the name.

OP posts:

Acolyte · 28/08/2014 11:18

Stanley is a great name. I know 2 Stanley's, one of 12 and one in his 20's. They are both really, really cool people. Both confident, assured and good looking, which I know they would be regardless of their name, but somehow the name is associated with their characters.

My dog is called Stanley and he us awesome too

PacificDogwood · 28/08/2014 11:15

x-post, harris

PacificDogwood · 28/08/2014 11:14

It's a most excellent name, I love it, but that's neither here nor there if you don't.

Does your DS have a middle name you could start calling him by?

halfdoneharris · 28/08/2014 11:12

If you don't like the name, you need to change it. Have you considered what alternatives you may prefer? Does ds have a middle name that you could use officially? Definitely best to change before school starts.

My grandad was called Stanley and my mum asked if we would use it, but it is not to my taste. He was a lovely man though. Strong, down to earth, and gentle.

CarriMarie · 28/08/2014 10:43

I like Stanley, agree Stan may not suit a toddler, but he could grow into it. For now nn Lee could be stretched to Leo.

BeyoncesCat · 28/08/2014 01:48

Felt the same as you but dd was 8 months. Her name was changed the day after posting on here. It's really horrible not liking your own child's name. I know the whole pet name hesitation when people ask scenario!

The second I signed the documents I felt like a weight had been lifted! I kept the second part of her name with the new first name and used the old first name as a middle name.

DramaAlpaca · 27/08/2014 23:24

I don't usually like 'old man' names, but I do like Stanley.

I know a teenage Stan & it really suits him.

maggiethemagpie · 27/08/2014 22:32

Could you change it to Lee? Great name not too retro - but keeps a bit of the original.

burgatroyd · 27/08/2014 22:18

Stanley is a good name.

If you change it do it now. If after a year you are certain with change then deed poll it.

I was very uncertain about dd2 name. Changed it to a name I prefer but I still am trying to get used to it. There is no name I prefer and its a perfectly great name so I am being positive about it and it works. I am no longer wondering if she suits other names.

What would you change it too?

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