Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

name regret

86 replies

thisfridayfeeling · 05/11/2021 12:19

I regret the name we chose for our daughter and I don't know what to do. It's gradually been eating away at me for the past 6 months.

I won't say what the name is as I know some people won't like it and will make me feel even worse about it. It's an unusual "nature" name and mostly used for a boy I think. That probably gives it away. I've got it into my head that it's too much of a try-hard name (this was obviously not our intention!) and a bit skanky!

She's my absolute world and I can't help feel like I've let her down.

I just don't know what to do. It was my partners first choice and it was also on my name list but I just feel like it was a rushed decision when she arrived as we hadn't properly chosen, and people were pressuring us for a name, and now it's too late!

I don't even know what I'm expecting reply-wise. Maybe reassurance that I'm not the only one who had a wobble about their name choice? I just needed to get it off my chest. I haven't told anyone other than my partner and he thinks I've lost my mind. Will it grow on me as time goes by?!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
DailyRepeatGuarantee · 05/11/2021 12:35

I love nature names. River is awesome if that's what it is. Nature names are timeless xx

Cornettoninja · 05/11/2021 12:33

I don’t think any feelings (negative or positive) around names are particularly rational tbh all of it relies on gut feels.

Practically speaking, you can change the birth certificate up to a year if you want to so it is possible. Whether you’d get your partner on board is something you’d need to think about.

I’m hesitant to mention this, but are you ok? I would want to be sure that your dislike of the name wasn’t a symptom of a deeper issue that you may need to resolve (specifically thinking pnd). It’s valid to grow to dislike a name but I remember fixating on some absolutely inconsequential crap when I was deep in the throes of it and it’s worth considering. Not that I think that would necessarily change your mind!

ReturntoSpamfritters · 05/11/2021 12:31

Nature names are nice, what's not to like?
Leave it for now, if your DD hates it she can go by a nn or change it when she's older. Sod's Law also states that if you change her name, she will prefer the original one.

BlueFlavour · 05/11/2021 12:31

Love nature names. River, Storm, Ocean. All beautiful. Also like Phoenix, Autumn, Misty.
Just think they are lovely.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 05/11/2021 12:28

Storm?

Clementineapples · 05/11/2021 12:27

Without knowing the name it’s difficult to help. Is their a nickname you can use? ie Edie for Eden that might help?

Verfremdungseffekt · 05/11/2021 12:26

Rowan? River? Robin?

I actually love Rowan for girls as an Antonia Forest fan.

I roll my eyes at the mere concept of the 'try-hard name' on here -- it's such a weird, subjective thing. I know a delightful Ptolemy (Tolly) and neither he nor his parents are 'trying' to be anything at all.

Strangevipers · 05/11/2021 12:26

Plenty of time to change it

But

It will likely grow on you

Nickname or middle name is always an option

And

Although names are important they aren't the be all and end all

TasteTheMeatNotTheHeat · 05/11/2021 12:23

River is a lovely name

SameToo · 05/11/2021 12:22

It really is hard to give an opinion without knowing the name. Is it River? If so, I love it.

Can you make a nickname out of it?

TurnUpTurnip · 05/11/2021 12:21

Change it? If she’s still under 1 I believe you can also change the name on the bc

Swipe left for the next trending thread