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Baby names

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

Original poster

I hate my common name! Can I change it as an adult?

58 replies

MoggTheCat · 07/02/2019 22:30

My name is Louise. I have always hated it as it is so common amongst women my age (born late 70s). There were four of us called Louise in my class at school. There are several Louise’s at my new workplace. My children have more unusual names as I didn’t want them to suffer the same fate! Would it be unreasonable to consider changing my name now? Or would it just be too difficult to get my friends and family to adjust to a new name?

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Original poster
MoggTheCat · 07/02/2019 23:06

Thank you for your responses. I do have a middle name but it is also very common! My family probably would be a bit upset, which is something I need to take into account. There are lots of names I like, but they are probably a bit too unusual, such as Tuesday, Velvet and Aurelia. Maybe something that sounds cheerful and friendly. Molly?

OP posts:
Fiddie · 07/02/2019 22:50

I like LouLou

Drogosnextwife · 07/02/2019 22:48

My dp had 6 boys in his primary class with the same name! It is a really common name he had.

I'm. Or keen on my name but it doesn't bother me too much. I would say if you really hate it change it if you think it will make you happier.

Snog · 07/02/2019 22:45

What new name would you choose

Bluntness100 · 07/02/2019 22:45

I think your name is nice, and I don't think it's common at all, you've clearly been unlucky as I only know two Louises.

You can change it as pp have said, but yes, I think it would be difficult for people to adjust if you're in your forties,

Antonin · 07/02/2019 22:41

I have a friend who changed her name when she was in her 40s and it didn’t seem to take terribly long for people to adjust and now I never think of her by anything but her new name

stairway · 07/02/2019 22:40

There were 6 with my name in one particular class at secondary school. We were all given numbers as the teacher couldn’t cope. It wasn’t Louise though . I hated having a common name too but would change it. When I go to see my husbands family abroad I’m the only one with my name and it’s great.
You can change your name but would your family be miffed? And what would you choose?

MelinaM · 07/02/2019 22:35

You can quite easily via deedpoll. Having your family and friends adjust to using your new name might be quite challenging!

I think Louise is lovely, do you have a middle name that you can use?

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