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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby name regret

46 replies

Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 21:06

I have a 5 year old who I really really regret the name of. So much so I often try to use different nicknames. Just wondering if anyone else had this as their child go older and how they came to terms with the fact that they had definitely chosen the wrong name.

OP posts:
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lalalallala · 11/06/2023 22:50

Benjamin is a lovely name! I would choose that name (currently pregnant), but I have a brother called Benjamin already

MillbankTower · 11/06/2023 22:36

Ben is a good time
Timeless

I am 60 and have a name I hate. I like my middle name- should have changed it years ago!

quietnightmare · 11/06/2023 22:35

Benjamin is such a lovely name

Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 22:34

Thank you everyone for kind comments on the name!

@Ineededthat absolutely right. They are not dolls.

OP posts:
Ineededthat · 11/06/2023 22:25

I think you need to accept that once given, your child’s name is their business. You not liking it now is irrelevant. They aren’t a doll.

toomanyleggings · 11/06/2023 22:22

Ben is a very good name.

arlequin · 11/06/2023 22:19

Ben is the best name ever!

Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 22:10

Oh of course @Thehippowife

OP posts:
RhosynBach · 11/06/2023 22:10

I like Ben. It’s a good solid name that won’t date and sounds good on kids and adults. It has lots of nickname options and a full name option. I think you chose well. I know a Ben nicknamed benno. And another one nicknamed jammy. You can’t force a nickname though.

WorkCleanRepeat · 11/06/2023 22:08

I have a similar issue with my 6 year olds name. She gets all sorts of nicknames names bless her.

I never really found a girls name I loved. I still don't know what I would want to call her. She likes her name luckily.

Thehippowife · 11/06/2023 22:06

…obi wan …aka Ben kenobi - Star Wars reference

Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 22:06

Thank you @AromanticSpices

why Obi @Hairbrushhandle

OP posts:
Hairbrushhandle · 11/06/2023 22:04

Ooh I like ben. If he was mine I'd nickname him Obi!

AromanticSpices · 11/06/2023 22:04

I absolutely love that name so can't help Flowers

Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 22:02

@TheMurderousGoose i think you’re right. I do suffer with anxiety generally and have wondered if it is being projected in this way. His name is Benjamin but we call him Ben. He won’t tolerate benny or benjy when I try those which I actually prefer to just Ben. What’s very bizarre is he has a brother who I have never questioned the name of!

@Mamalamadrama it’s so horrible isn’t it

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Mamalamadrama · 11/06/2023 21:56

@Lululululululu I have the same problem. But my DD is only 16 months old. Hated her name since birth but was made to keep it. I have never said her name. Hate just calling her baby but can't find the right nickname.

TheMurderousGoose · 11/06/2023 21:18

Best thing to so is to settle on a nickname that you like and and try to let the issue go. If she likes her name, that's the main thing.

Sometimes it seems as though obsessing over having given a child the 'wrong' name seems linked to PND. Did you suffer with this?

Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 21:09

I think at the time I didn’t necessarily love it but I liked it. I have since found names I love and really regret not using

OP posts:
Original poster
Lululululululu · 11/06/2023 21:09

Absolutely fine! It’s a normal name I just have gradually really gone off it! I know there’s nothing I can do but wondering if this is common…

OP posts:
TaylorSwifting · 11/06/2023 21:08

What is the name? Did you have name regret soon after naming them or is it more recent?

Littlefish · 11/06/2023 21:07

How does your child feel about their name?