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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do your children wish they were called?

86 replies

Choosinganame · 21/01/2019 18:09

And I don't mean 'Peppa' or 'flobadobadee'

I mean children old enough to understand names, do they love their names or wish you had called them something different?
I am interested in this because we often want to choose unusual names for our DC but do they like them? My DC is still too young to know.
I have quite a serious but common name in the 80's and I really wanted to be a Sophie or an Isabella, something more girly and soft.
I find it hard choosing a name because I want to choose something I like but also know how important it is when you are school age to feel like you 'fit in'.
For example, I think Greta is a great name, but would a Greta like her name in a sea of Isla's, Evie's etc.

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Nnnnnineteen · 21/01/2019 19:00

Mine likes her name and wouldn't change it. She is aware it became v popular over the last 7-8 years, but as we still don't know anyone with the name, it hasn't impacted on her yet, though this may change at some point.

tammytoby · 21/01/2019 18:59

I think many kids would prefer not to have to add a surname initial to their names

WeCameToDance · 21/01/2019 18:32

Its weird but I think quite often what we would name ourselves isnt always names that we love. If I suddenly didnt have a name I would name myself Alex, Harrie or Ellie. I dont know why, dont particularly like those names and wouldnt give them to my children but thats what I see when I look in the mirror.
Simillarly some of my most loved names I wouldnt give to my children. For example, I love both Atticus and Harbor. My son is not named either of these even though I love them. I worried he wouldnt feel the same way and then he would spend his life feeling embarrassed of his name.
Basically I think its impossible to get right. I have never met anyone who loves there name. I think giving them a name that you love while not being too out of the ordinary (and theres a wide scope for this) is key.That way even if they dont like it at least its not because its bizarre.

junebirthdaygirl · 21/01/2019 18:30

My dd is a tiny bit disappointed that her name became extremely popular since she was younger. She wishes l had given her her second name which was added on as its a family name and very oldfashioned. She likes it as there are none around. But she's not changing or anything.
My ds wishes l had given him a short snappy name as everyone shortens his quite long nàme in various ways which is annoying.
My third is happy. Fairly short, not common name. Got it right third time!!

MsTSwift · 21/01/2019 18:28

Just asked both mine (10 and 12) love their names . We avoided tedium of top 10 yet not way out.

Original poster
Choosinganame · 21/01/2019 18:24

Moonflower - does your dd's name begin with B any chance? If so that's one of the names I really like, or a variant of it.
I think it's quite hard to find a name that a child will like all through their life.

OP posts:
Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 21/01/2019 18:23

My dc seem happy with their name. Except ds 10 wanted to be Seamus not a shortened version!!

Buscake · 21/01/2019 18:21

Diana HmmConfused

Moonflower12 · 21/01/2019 18:18

The DDs and DS are adults.

Moonflower12 · 21/01/2019 18:17

My eldest 2 DDs complain that their names are too boring. Think very classic. They wish I'd gone for the more exciting/exotic versions.
My son likes his name as it has many variants that he can use.
My 6 year old girl has a bit of a different name- it's within the Royal family but not a classic. She likes hers.

NicoleNoPants · 21/01/2019 18:14

I always wanted to be a Katie. My name is very American and very 90s! It was the top name in America for several years.
My DD’s name is very unusual (not in any baby books) but doesn’t sound out there and I hope she’ll always love it like I do but if not her middle names are both very popular so if she wants to go by one of them instead I won’t mind.