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Baby names

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

Changing baby's name

112 replies

TulipPeony1 · 20/05/2022 17:22

Hello I have a 7 month old son which we thought we had named a unisex name as we liked it for a girl and for a boy. It turns out since naming him and introducing him to the world that no one has heard of a boy called this name and I have had so many comments from people assuming he's a girl. I am really gutted as it was the only name that me and my husband could agree on and I am really concerned that our son will have issues with this his whole life. I really wish we had named him something else, although I don't know what that would have been. I think about it constantly and hate introducing him by name to people now because I just anticipate their reaction. I have had it in baby group where the teacher called him "she" during one of the songs and I had to correct her. She said that she'd never heard of a boy called that before so thought he was a girl even though he was dressed in what would be described as 'boy clothes'. I've had people think he's a boy and ask "what's his name?" then when I answer they say "oh she's a girl" nope! It's really disappointing and I hate that it's being spoken about. My mum had issues at the hairdressers when another person overheard her talking and commented that it was a girl's name. It just feels like everywhere and I'm really upset that he will bear the brunt of this. I don't know what I want people on here to say really. I'm reluctant to say his name seen as no boy ever seems to have been called this before it would be completely obvious, but I just wanted to see if others would feel the same in my shoes and what you would do.

Thank you

OP posts:
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Spaghag · 20/05/2022 17:38

Is it Cody?

I know someone in RL who is having this dilemma with her son Cody's name.

catbirddogchild · 20/05/2022 17:37

No use unless you actually give the name!

HitsAndMrs · 20/05/2022 17:37

Is it Jesse? As this is what we are naming our baby if it's a boy and I worry about this too but it has been the name we've wanted for 10 years.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 20/05/2022 17:37

So maybe a name like Eden that's predominantly used for girls' name in the UK and seen as a boys' name in other countries.

It's hard to say without knowing the name but I don't see an issue with changing your child's name as long as it's a considered decision. Do you even have another name in mind?

pinklavenders · 20/05/2022 17:35

People are being rude. There are lots of people with unisex or the 'other' gender's name who've had no issues - people just accept it. Eg female Jack Monroe, Cameron Diaz, etc

DisforDarkChocolate · 20/05/2022 17:34

I'm thinking Audrey now.

TulipPeony1 · 20/05/2022 17:33

It's probably more obscure than Ashley but along those lines. I think more people just know it as a girl's name and it is rarer for boys.

OP posts:
MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 20/05/2022 17:30

So something along the lines of Ashley or something more obscure?

Ishacoco · 20/05/2022 17:29

Name? Can't say much without it!

Pixilicious1 · 20/05/2022 17:27

What is the name??

DemBonesDemBones · 20/05/2022 17:27

Nothing useful to say without knowing the name, sorry.

DisforDarkChocolate · 20/05/2022 17:26

But we honestly can't make any useful comments unless you tell us the name.