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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Should I change his name?

36 replies

PinkProsecco1 · 11/03/2025 16:13

To those of you who have changed a babies name - when did you know it was the right thing to do?

Since the day we’ve named my son I’ve always been hung up on the fact we didn’t use his name we used whilst I was pregnant. This was mainly due to it not sounding right with our surname. It wasn’t anything that would cause him to be bullied or anything, it just could sound like two different words if said quickly together. I find myself not wanting to say his name to people who I don’t know. I’m not entirely sure why, both our families love his name and we both really liked it whilst I was pregnant. I’ve only had one negative comment which is that it’s a dog name.

My son is now 9 months old and I still have these thoughts almost daily. I’m starting to panic that I only have three months left if I do want to change his name, but I’m also worried that if I change it I might regret it. Those who have changed the name - did you ever regret it?

I just don’t know what to do.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 19:26

It's lovely. Leave it as it is. You are overthinking. In the UK, there are lots of people with names from the person's heritage.

Lean isn't a bad association - 'lean on me' would imply someone dependable, 'lean' as an adjective means slender or slim.

Names starting with L are very popular right now, so you might find that other parents might decide to call their baby Leen.

msks · 16/05/2025 19:18

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 17:09

My advice would be to leave the name as it is.
It's hard to say without knowing the name, but chances are the current name is quite lovely.

Her name is Leen which in arabic is soft and tender. However, I realised it isthe same as you say lean. So I am wandering if this can cause problem for her in the future .

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 17:09

My advice would be to leave the name as it is.
It's hard to say without knowing the name, but chances are the current name is quite lovely.

msks · 16/05/2025 14:40

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 14:33

No, but I've worked in situations where I needed a high level of security clearance.

what is your advice ? . I am inclined to another name as her name her I found same word in english in noun and verb which kept me frustrated. At the same time , I am worried about my daughter if she will face more problems if we did name change :(

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 14:33

No, but I've worked in situations where I needed a high level of security clearance.

msks · 16/05/2025 14:23

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 14:18

I wouldn't have thought so.The checks on you will be the same, regardless of where your child was born.

It won't be a problem, it will just take longer.

Have you done the forename change while having dual nationality?.

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 14:18

I wouldn't have thought so.The checks on you will be the same, regardless of where your child was born.

It won't be a problem, it will just take longer.

msks · 16/05/2025 14:12

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 13:30

It's what I was told. Presumably checking things in the UK is much easier than checking things in a different language/country/continent.

But she was born here. Will this make any difference?

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 13:30

It's what I was told. Presumably checking things in the UK is much easier than checking things in a different language/country/continent.

msks · 16/05/2025 12:58

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:25

if you want to change the BC, do it now. Do not delay. Get it done before she is 12 months old, then get the passport updated.

If she had dual nationality, then it's more complicated.

If you or the father have dual nationality, then it's complicated.

Visas and security forms tend to treat dual nationality as 'suspicious'.

Yes we have dual nationality. I thought we can change it there too. After changing the british birth certificate. Why it will make it suspicious:(?

Emotionalsupporthamster · 16/05/2025 12:26

I wouldn’t change it. There was a reason you felt that it wasn’t right to put that first name with your surname and that won’t go away and could end up annoying him when he’s older. I really liked the name Iona but we decided not to use it as our surname is also a noun, it just wouldn’t work!

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:25

if you want to change the BC, do it now. Do not delay. Get it done before she is 12 months old, then get the passport updated.

If she had dual nationality, then it's more complicated.

If you or the father have dual nationality, then it's complicated.

Visas and security forms tend to treat dual nationality as 'suspicious'.

Cosycover · 16/05/2025 12:21

But surely any name would sound like two words because he will have the same surname?

msks · 16/05/2025 12:17

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:15

Have you already changed the name on the birth certificate?

We almost took the decision and get the paperwork but I didn’t proceed as I am too anxious about the consequences for her. So I am gathering more information as still two month left

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:15

Have you already changed the name on the birth certificate?

msks · 16/05/2025 12:14

She is 10 months now. Traveled to Egypt home country. Also we travelled to canada, USA using the old name

msks · 16/05/2025 12:13

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:12

@msks , how old is your daughter now?
Is she older than 12 months?

She is 10 months now

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 12:12

@msks , how old is your daughter now?
Is she older than 12 months?

msks · 16/05/2025 12:05

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 11:44

It's a field usually. 'Name at birth (if different)'.

I've filled in countless forms over the years, and just fill it in.
Sometimes I am asked for birth cert., proof of name change, passport.

Depending on why the name was changed the proof will be something like the deed poll or marriage cert.
It shouldn't cause a delay.

It might if for example, you were changing your child from Osama bin Laden Jr to Harry James Taylor.

I will change only her forename.

Do you mean that the staff that need proof if idenity anyway ,new passport will do the job. However, because you declared name change , they will ask you to send the birth certificate along side? . Is it the same situation while travelling, do you need to carry birth certificate too?

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 11:44

It's a field usually. 'Name at birth (if different)'.

I've filled in countless forms over the years, and just fill it in.
Sometimes I am asked for birth cert., proof of name change, passport.

Depending on why the name was changed the proof will be something like the deed poll or marriage cert.
It shouldn't cause a delay.

It might if for example, you were changing your child from Osama bin Laden Jr to Harry James Taylor.

msks · 16/05/2025 11:35

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 11:22

@msks , if you change the name before 12 months old, that isn't an issue, as the Birth Certificate shows the old name and the new name.

If you change it via deed poll, you supply the deed poll along with the birth certificate. A passport is usually enough as proof of ID anyway.

In terms of travel to USA and Canada, they ask have been used any other name since birth? . Then you have to declare. Is passport will be enough for travel or birth certificate too? . In future when they apply for dbs, universities is this can cause delays?

Emanwenym · 16/05/2025 11:22

@msks , if you change the name before 12 months old, that isn't an issue, as the Birth Certificate shows the old name and the new name.

If you change it via deed poll, you supply the deed poll along with the birth certificate. A passport is usually enough as proof of ID anyway.

msks · 16/05/2025 10:32

SJay401 · 12/03/2025 09:59

I would change it. You have this feeling for a reason and I’m in a similar place, my daughter is now a little older (11 months) and I’ve requested the paper work. I feel like I’ll regret it if I don’t.
I haven’t felt like it was right since registering her and I think it’s because we went for something other than the name I thought she’d always be and it’s not one of her middle names either. even if you put the name you wanted as a middle name it’ll be an option without the need for deed poll.

my midwife changed her sons name at 8 months and my health visitor had this feeling with her son and still does, he’s 21!!
It can be a challenging enough time and you’re asked to name your baby when you’re tired and your hormones are everywhere. Be kind to yourself!

Edited

What about in future declaration of old name all the time. Is this delays visa, work , study and travel

KittenPause · 14/03/2025 02:10

I think you should change it

I didn't even know you could within a certain time frame so thats good

You've had a really long time to get used to it and clearly it doesn't suit him and you know you don't like it

So yes go ahead and change it.

Llllllllppppp · 14/03/2025 02:09

Llllllllppppp · 14/03/2025 02:06

Sorry I’ve completely misread your post!
If the name already sounds like 2 different words, then I would change it definitely.
As he grows up it will probably annoy him as much as it does you because other children will pick up on it.

Show quote history

This is a clear sign I should be asleep, I’ve now realised actually my original reply was right and I actually misread your post the second time! I’m so sorry. Just ignore all of my replies is probably best 🤦‍♀️

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