Baby name regrets?

I feel exactly the same way about my 3-month-old's name. DH says I can change it and we've gone so far as to tell our parents that's what we're doing, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger - I don't want the story of her name to be that we couldn't decide, picked one we both liked ok, then I threw a tantrum and got my first choice, which I know DH isn't keen on. (Also have a niggling doubt about first choice too which isn't helping.) It's so hard! Never had this problem with our first.

I love Nell for Annabel and Nancy is nice and would work too if you like that.

FWIW I think Annabel is a beautiful name and you should keep it.

It doesn't have to be shortened, but Anna, Annie and Bel are all fine nicknames.

Yes, unfortunately. My 11yr old daughter is named Mae. One day I realised I hated it so she's always gone by her middle name Anareha.

I think I'm going to have to raise it with my husband soon and see what he thinks

It doesn’t really matter what he thinks - if you don’t like it you don’t like it. You’ve every right to say so.

Children have their names changed way after 7 months. Some not until they go to school and find there are 5 others of the same name.

I’m not sure why you think the GPS opinions matter.

Ah sorry, I see. I misread the OP. I thought Annabel was ok but they couldn't find a nickname they liked.

^ WhiteVixen because OP doesn't like the name Annabel. That's the point of the thread.

Can you not just call her Annabel? Why does she have to have a nickname?

I changed my baby's name officially at 8 months old. I stupidly agreed to DH's suggestion in the midst of pregnancy sickness and exhaustion, but because he announced the name to everyone I felt I was stuck with it.

I told him at 4 months old I couldn't get used to it, but he said to give it time. Waited a few more months, then told him I really didn't like it.

After all the stressing I had done, he said change it to what ever you want. He wasn't even remotely attached to the name he had picked!

The relief was amazing. Went to the Registry Office on their next available appointment and just had to pay about £10 for a new certificate. I was the second person that week at the Registry Office that had been in to do the same. Just had to change the name at the Doctor's, Child Benefit etc and that was it.

I'm still so glad I changed it. Everyone got used to it very quickly, including older siblings and cousins.

We have an Annabelle. I desperately wanted to nick name her Annie, but it just didn't stick.

We call her Banana

You could call her BabyBel.

Not sure that changing the name is the best way to go given that your other DD already knows her as Annabel. But if you feel very strongly you should do it rather than regret it your whole life.

How about Betty as a nickname?

What would you prefer to call her?

I know two people who have changed their child’s name before a year was out. So it is done.

I know an adult Annabel who is Bette. Not sure how it came about, but that's her name!

Talk to your husband. We changed our baby's surname at 6m. I brought it up with my DH at 4m and he was upset, but mostly because I hadn't said anything sooner and I'd been upset without him realising. It was a right pain to get it changed on the birth certificate and expensive (mainly because it was the surname). Look at the regulations in case you do want to change it on the birth certificate and it has to be done within a year.

Nancy is a lovely suggestion.

Annabel is a nice name. I like Nell as a short form. Or you could go for Nan or Nancy because Ann/Anne is traditionally shorted to Nan.

Annabel is a beautiful name, it's on my list. I know an annabel who is 8 and I've known her since she was born. She is nearly always Annabel, at home and at school. However when she was little, I'd say from baby to 3, they called her A or Miss A, which was really cute, and then as she got bigger her name suited her. What about A or Miss A? 🙂

My sister ended up changing her daughters name. When she was born she named her Gabriella. Which was a beautiful name but she wasnt in love with it. At about 10 months old she changed her name to simply Bella.

If say if you dont like her name then I'd seriously consider changing it. I wish I'd changed my son from Toby to Tobias. I named him and then as he's got older I realise he really should of had a "proper" forename as I feel Toby is a child nickname.

Talk to DH. Even it's just to say it out loud and get it off your chest. Fwiw I like Annabel but agree that Annie isn't great. What about just Anna? I like the suggestion of Bea.. or BB because of your surname?

What other names do you like?

I was talking to a lady in a restaurant a few months ago and she had such bad name-regret that she changed her DS's name by deed poll when he was about 5 months old!

See what DH says and take it from there, but if you feel the need to change it, it's probably better to do it now before she really gets to know her name!! A name is for life (mostly!).

No real practical advise to give but my DD is 8 and I still regret her name. She has a bunch of nicknames which I mostly use. I do love the name we gave her but I HATE how popular it is and that's what I regret about it. If your baby is still young enough id change it if your DH agrees obviously.

ALso, I sort of feel that Nell flows more naturally from Annabel than Belle does, because it incorporates the ‘n’s

I know a 17 year old Annabel who is always known as Nell.

I love the name Nell and it suits her perfectly.

Troysmammy - the OP doesn't feel she has to have a nickname, but it might be a way of compromising on a name she's regretting.

Sending you big hugs xxxxx sounds like it's become a burden for you! I think it doesn't help that nowadays there is a pressure to pick 'the perfect name ' or 'the one '. In past generations a name wasn't such a big deal i think.

Any of these help....?
nameberry.com/nametalk/threads/82179-How-many-nicknames-for-Annabelle-Your-favorite