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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Girl name regret

78 replies

KonkeyDonk · 10/02/2022 23:42

Baby is less than 6 months old. After long discussion we registered her at the last moment as Cecilia. I wasn't convinced but DH said I'll get used to it. So far I've only been calling her Cece, which I love, but her full name just sounds so lispy and doesn't suit her !
Will I get used to it or will I forever regret not changing it? My other option was Serena which my DF didn't like so I decided against it. DH thinks I'm silly but it just doesn't feel right. I had a bereavement soon after the birth of the baby and I was not quite myself as well.

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Original poster

KonkeyDonk · 12/02/2022 20:32

I think I'll just stick with Cece for now and hope she'll grow into it- I love both names and perhaps Cecilia has better nn than Serena. Hopefully I won't end up calling her Cece forever but oh well! Thank you all for your opinions, I feel a bit better about choosing such a 'big' name.

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Foxglovers · 12/02/2022 20:04

My daughter has a very grown up name that doesn’t really have a natural/easy nn and it felt really weird calling her it when she was a little baby but now she’s closer to 1 it just seems really normal. I didn’t ever regret the name even then though but I guess there wasn’t another name in the running either

OliveTree75 · 12/02/2022 09:20

Call her Cece then if you prefer. That’s a lovely name! Nobody but my Nanna calls me by my full name and sometimes I even forget that’s what my name actually is!

SuperSleepyBaby · 12/02/2022 09:19

Both are nice names but if you prefer Serena you can change it. Obviously, your DH would need to agree too.

Changing it might seem like a big deal now but in a few short years it will just be a memory and an interesting story for your DD.

FolornLawn · 12/02/2022 09:17

They’re both grown up names, which is GOOD because your daughter will spend the vast majority of her life as a grown up.
I would much prefer to be called Cecilia than Serena. Cece works for a baby, a cool teen and an adult. I think you have chosen well op, and I say that as someone who did change her DD’s name.

BobbinHood · 12/02/2022 09:15

I don’t think you should change the name of a 6 month old baby - won’t it spark an awkward conversation when you have to explain to every single person you know that your baby now has a different name?

I don’t think Serena “suits” a baby either, they are both quite grown up names. I prefer it to Cecilia but I like Cece better than either for a young child.

EishetChayil · 12/02/2022 09:13

Cecilia is gorgeous.

Serena is a stripper name.

romdowa · 12/02/2022 09:11

I think if you don't think it suits her then change it while you can. You'll only regret it if you don't.

Chickenpoxtwins · 12/02/2022 09:06

If you prefer Serena and your dh is on board then change it. Your DF had a chance to name his children.

groovergirl · 12/02/2022 09:04

An elegant name with an easy nickname -- what could be better to give to your precious baby? Cecilia will grow on you, and your DD will grow into it and announce it with pride.
Cecilia is excellent, and yes, I'm biased, as it's my middle name.

Hairyfriend · 12/02/2022 00:36

A close friend is Soraya, but throughout childhood known as Sisi Its not always Cecilia with that nn.

cherrysthename · 12/02/2022 00:29

I know two Ceces. One is 'officially' Sienna and the other Sicily but they only go by Cece so I don't think it really matters.

whysoserious123 · 12/02/2022 00:22

Love the name cecillia and cede !

She could be either of the above when she's older or lia or chi chi or just ce !

loads of options

Fivebeanchilli · 12/02/2022 00:11

Cece is so lovely.
Fwiw I think Cecilia is miles nicer than Serena.
And it doesn't feel serious to me but a really good name that is lovely for both a baby, child and an adult.

StScholastica · 12/02/2022 00:06

Patron Saint of music. It's a gorgeous name.

Glitterygreen · 11/02/2022 21:39

I love the name Cecilia, it always reminds me of Keira Knightly in Atonement. Very elegant and classic.

I know what you mean about struggling to fit it onto a baby but she will grow into it and it's such a lovely name for life :)

babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 13:49

Hah, I have sent you a PM because it's potentially a little outing.

Yika · 11/02/2022 12:46

Just to say that you can change her name even if your MIL made something handmade with her name on. It doesn't negate the gift, and your feelings about the name are important. I don't think you should just force yourself to 'get used to it' if it's really bothering you. If it doesn't feel right and it's jarring every time you hear it, it's not right.

Original poster

KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 12:43

@babyjellyfish

Of all the thousands of girls' names available, you chose those two. Why? I assume you liked them both.

Ce-Monkey is cute. And a lot less ridiculous than what I call my son!

I guess because I liked them both! It just feels suddenly so grown up, but according to DH I was exactly the same with DC1. You do realise you have to share some of your son's nicknames with us

OP posts:

babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 12:20

Of all the thousands of girls' names available, you chose those two. Why? I assume you liked them both.

Ce-Monkey is cute. And a lot less ridiculous than what I call my son!

Original poster

KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 12:04

Thank you everyone. I think it's probably the fact I'm worried she'll be Cece forever and with Serena there are fewer options.... but considering baby is currently being called Ce-Monkey I might end up coming up with a nickname no matter the name .
I tried calling her Serena and it feels too 'grown up' as well.

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Shmithecat2 · 11/02/2022 11:33

To add - I'm still not keen on my ds' name - he's 6yo now

Shmithecat2 · 11/02/2022 11:32

Another one to chime in, fwiw, Cecilia is a FABULOUS name. I adore it.

babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 11:29

It sounds like you're going through a lot, OP.

6 months is still very young (is she your first baby?) and to lose your own mum at the same time as becoming a parent must be an awful lot to have to deal with.

Do you feel strongly that you wish you'd called her Serena, or are you just having more general doubts?

I didn't have any name regret but I gave my son a very normal name with no diminutives and have ended up calling him a whole bunch of nicknames which have very little to do with his actual name. I don't imagine I will still be using them when he is much older because they would be very embarrassing.

Cecilia is a beautiful name for a girl or a woman. I can see how you might not quite think it fits a young baby.

I reckon if you just keep calling her Cece or other nicknames, Cecilia will grow on you by the time she is older. She is lucky to have such a great name.

Original poster

KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 10:34

DH is saying I was the same with DC1 except there was no bereavement and no alternative name... DC1 was called 'baby' for the first year . Question is, should I just leave it then? What if I regret it forever!

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