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Baby names

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

Should I change my baby’s name?

92 replies

Lau89 · 30/04/2021 14:29

I’ve recently given birth to a baby (girl) and in my hormonal/ sleep deprived state rushed into making a decision on her name. We chose the name Quinn which I do like but I’m now unsure if it’s the right name for her. It doesn’t help when people keep thinking she is a little boy when I say her name. Her sister has a more girly/pretty name and I am now thinking we should have named her something similar. I know it can be changed up until shes 12 months but her old name will always be first on the birth certificate. Help!!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
elliemara · 03/05/2021 00:55

I think Quinn is much cuter than Mila!

Ikeameatballs · 02/05/2021 23:48

I think Quinn is cute in itself. I don’t think it needs a nn.

I don’t like Mila, it looks like milia, which is another term for those little sweat spots, and it’s another Mia/Mya/Maya sounding name.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 02/05/2021 23:27

While Mila is quite trendy, I slightly prefer it to Quinn personally (but that is just because I'm usually less keen on unisex names, plus I did make the quim connection on reading the name).

BUT if it makes you feel better, I wouldn't be at all surprised at meeting a female Quinn (I think thanks to Glee it's quite well known for girls too, even outside the US?).

MalagaNights · 02/05/2021 22:31

Quinn is cool for a girl.
A bit like Harper, which I also like.

It's strong but quirky.

You will have to decide if you can live with the boy presumption though, at least until it becomes obvious she's not a boy.

Lau89 · 01/05/2021 20:09

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I do still like the name Quinn and she does suit it.
However, there is a part of me that keeps wanting to call her something more girly. I find myself racking my brain for a “cuter” nickname for Quinn.

The other name I really like is Mila which is more girly like her sisters name.

OP posts:
Violetlavenders · 01/05/2021 07:35

I would definitely change it. It's easy within the first 12 months

Quinn sounds very masculine like Finn or Flynn. I only know boys called Quinn, either as a stand-alone name or as a nickname for Quentin.

Do you have another name n mind?

Boxtroll · 30/04/2021 23:59

I have a "boys" name. It's not so bad now because of a certain Ms Swift, people are used to the name. However in the 90s, I was always the only one.
As a child, whenever someone read my name they would always assume I would be a boy. Then would be surprised when I wasn't Grin

I think Quinn is an ok name. I have only ever heard it be used for girls before

user1493494961 · 30/04/2021 23:10

I would change it, it isn't a particularly nice name boy or girl. I know a 5 year old boy called Quinn, his Mum calls him Quinny.

partyatthepalace · 30/04/2021 23:03

It’s quite a strong flavour of a name, so if you aren’t sure about it, probably best to switch. You could keep Quinn as a middle name. Do you have a name in mind?

Bostonbullsmumma · 30/04/2021 22:17

Agree with others- I love the name! Was one of my top names for a girl (didn't see it as a boys name and therefore never used it!). I think it takes a while for a baby to suit their name. I absolutely loved the name I picked for my DS before I had him and spent ages looking at him thinking I don't think he suits his name!! He most definitely does now- it just takes a while to get use to their name! I think if I had changed it, which I did consider, I would have regretted it!

NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 30/04/2021 22:04

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

is quinn's sister's name Audrey?
Weren’t they twins? With an older sister with an A name? I remember those threads too Grin.
Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 30/04/2021 22:03

is quinn's sister's name Audrey?

clpsmum · 30/04/2021 22:00

I adore Quinn it is so cool. If I had a girl tomorrow I would call her Quinn, you've inspired me. Congratulations btw

Standrewsschool · 30/04/2021 21:49

Never heard of the slang reference. Plenty of boys are named William (including Prince William) despite the obvious Willy abbreviation.

Standrewsschool · 30/04/2021 21:48

When you look at your dc, can you imagine calling her anything else, or is she Quinn in your mind?

YellowGlasses · 30/04/2021 17:54

I’d change it and I say this as someone who saw a boy at school horrendously bullied for a slang name that was phrased similarly close to his genitals. Quinn is just too close to quim, especially for a girl.

Pinkmagic1 · 30/04/2021 17:51

I love it. It's a cool name and a little edgy, without being really out there.
If you like it, don't let others put you off. As for the quim association, it is a very old word and not used in modern language. I would be surprised if any kids would make the connection. My dd's name is also the name of a brand of contraceptive pill. She is a teen now and has never been teased because of this.

starpatch · 30/04/2021 17:46

In case it helps I had the most huge regrets about my son's name until he was about 2. (I didn't realise you could change it). Now I think the name totally suits his personality.

YoniAndGuy · 30/04/2021 17:40

[quote donquixotedelamancha]Ignore the nay-sayers, OP. There are female Quinns:

  • There is a stripper called Quinn in 'How I met your mother'.
  • The actress Quinn Cooke (played a stripper in Ozarks).

It's on this list of top girls names: giftnameideas.com/stripper-names-with-meaning/[/quote]
Omg I am not sure that this will help (or maybe, it will...)

Grin
Frankiefarr · 30/04/2021 17:39

My friend’s daughter is called Quinn and you couldn’t get a more girly looking girl and her name is perfect for her. I’m jealous I would have loved to have been called Quinn!

Synchrony · 30/04/2021 17:37

If you prefer another name, why not.
Fwiw, the only Quinn I've come across is the one in Glee, so to me it is a girl's name.
I'm middle aged and never heard the word quim before until I read this thread. I don't think it's a thing to worry about.

donquixotedelamancha · 30/04/2021 16:42

Ignore the nay-sayers, OP. There are female Quinns:

  • There is a stripper called Quinn in 'How I met your mother'.
  • The actress Quinn Cooke (played a stripper in Ozarks).

It's on this list of top girls names: giftnameideas.com/stripper-names-with-meaning/

81Byerley · 30/04/2021 16:32

Once, when my second baby was about 6 weeks old, She was in her pram, on a sheet which was white with pink roses, wearing a white dress with a pink cardigan, and frilly pants (1972)...and THREE different people thought she was a boy!
My friend's little boy was very pretty, with lovely curly hair, and people always thought he was a girl. One day, when someone asked what "her" name was, my friend said "Sarah".
Quinn is a lovely name, if you love it, don't change it.

AmyG10 · 30/04/2021 16:18

I love Quinn! I think it’s nice. I actually like unisex names like Taylor and Andie for a girl (think Dawson’s Creek). I actually have an unusual name myself it’s from abroad and has an unusual spelling. Hated it for a while now I absolutely love being different and people compliment me all the time on it

BrilliantBetty · 30/04/2021 16:09

I know what you mean about rushing to a decision while sleep deprived/ high on adrenaline.
My first baby got named in haste, I regretted it a bit but kept it. Second time around I didn't name the baby for 2 weeks while I considered. She was 'the baby'.