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.

Baby name regret?

79 replies

amy480 · 10/12/2025 16:12

Recently had a baby girl (we didn’t know the gender) and I struggled to decide on a name (I’m naturally quite indecisive). I had 2 names in mind but when she was born my husband said she wasn’t either of those names which made the doubt set in. I also asked the opinions of close family and got negative feedback on the name I liked (Imogen). In the end we have gone for a popular name (Ava) which I have always liked but wasn’t a front runner until she was here. I now keep dwelling on the name Imogen and wondered if I should have pushed more?! Anyone else had this. For what it’s worth I do think Ava is a very pretty name and suitable for all ages (didn’t want anything too cutesy) I’m just concerned it is too popular and Imogen a bit more unique. Name choices are so hard and such a responsibility!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CrostaDiPizza · 12/12/2025 21:34

@JennyBG , I agree with @Mariammaom . Ava, Eva and Ivy blur into the Evie names for me.
What a crazy thing to say. <- look at your own post.

JennyBG · 12/12/2025 21:27

Mariammaom · 10/12/2025 16:43

It’s not too late to change it! Personally I prefer Imogen - classy and pretty.

Ava is nice but, along with Eva, Evie etc a little dull from overuse imo.

By 'your' reckoning, ANY name will be “dull” from overuse! What a crazy thing to say.

Missingpop · 12/12/2025 21:17

It’s too late now move on & enjoy your child. & her beautiful name x

woolandflowers · 12/12/2025 20:54

I think both are really lovely names, but the most important thing is which name feels right for her? My partner and I only agreed on one boy name before my son was born but I was having a real wobble over if it was right because there another name I liked. But as soon as I saw my son I knew he was his name. So the real question is does she feel like an Ava or an Imogen? Only you can answer that. And don’t tell your family or friends, everyone always has a big old opinion (usually negative) about whatever name you mention!! Also for what it’s worth, my son is in nursery and there is neither an Imogen nor an Ava. X

Hangingthread · 12/12/2025 20:34

I was the same with my second. I wanted to call her Annie but called her Vivienne as we couldn’t agree. I disliked it when she was a baby but she’s all Vivienne now and I’m so glad I stuck. I’d still love Annie tho 🙃

Retired65 · 12/12/2025 20:27

Why not give your daughter both names? She could choose when she is older which one she would prefer to use.

CrostaDiPizza · 12/12/2025 20:07

@theunbreakablecleopatrajones , Right now I think there are probably more baby Imogens than Avas, it's quite popular now, where as Ava was v popular a while back (double check on dark greener.) not unless there's been a massive surge in popularity of Imogen since 2024. (Ava #9, Imogen #64)

zoomzoomzoomz · 12/12/2025 19:52

i had this with my first DD, we were set on a name until she was here and it just wasn't her. I liked the name we picked but I didn't love it, we had a few comments and looks from strangers who asked her name and it took me a long while to warm to it. She is now 6 and really really suits her name, she's the only one in her whole school with it and I love it. Give it time op you'll likely warm to it when she starts to show her character.

comoatoupeira · 12/12/2025 19:48

I think Ava will date but Imogen won’t.
go for it!

Hmm1234 · 12/12/2025 19:47

amy480 · 10/12/2025 16:12

Recently had a baby girl (we didn’t know the gender) and I struggled to decide on a name (I’m naturally quite indecisive). I had 2 names in mind but when she was born my husband said she wasn’t either of those names which made the doubt set in. I also asked the opinions of close family and got negative feedback on the name I liked (Imogen). In the end we have gone for a popular name (Ava) which I have always liked but wasn’t a front runner until she was here. I now keep dwelling on the name Imogen and wondered if I should have pushed more?! Anyone else had this. For what it’s worth I do think Ava is a very pretty name and suitable for all ages (didn’t want anything too cutesy) I’m just concerned it is too popular and Imogen a bit more unique. Name choices are so hard and such a responsibility!!

Ava is so overused and cringe. Imogen sounds like a page 3 model that was on big brother.
I mean it could be worse Zoe Sugg named her daughters Ottiley and Novi!?

Whatinthedoopla · 12/12/2025 19:45

Just add it as a middle name

Kisshygge · 12/12/2025 19:44

I also prefer Ava. I've never been keen on Imogen.

Rhubarb24 · 12/12/2025 19:41

Love the name Imogen. I have an 18yo niece and my husband has a 17yo cousin called Ava. Both my 18 and 14 year old are friends with a few Avas and Evies. It's lovely but very overused. I would change it if you really want to. I went with a name that was okay and not the one I really loved and have always regretted it. Which will you regret more? Changing it or not changing it?

I wouldn't keep it as Ava and call her Imogen though. You will always get teachers on a power trip who refuse to call her anything but Ava. And it will be on her passport, GCSEs and everything else. It happened to my Nana and it always annoyed her. Her oldest sister convinced their parents to call her by another name, but she was always called by the name they had originally chosen. I'd imagine it could be right faff for her.

ItsameLuigi · 12/12/2025 19:40

Imogen is nicer than Ava in my opinion but all that matters is how you feel about it! Both my kids we pre decided the names and have had no regrets but I know many others who have regretted them! Do what you feel is right 🥰

Horses7 · 12/12/2025 19:38

Love Ava if pronounced like Ava Gardener but strangely hate it pronounced Arva 🤷‍♀️

Starocean · 12/12/2025 19:37

I think you liked Imogen, wanted Imogen but lost confidence because of the negative feedback, which is understandable. If your going to change it, the earlier the better.

Imogen is a lovely name. Ava is also nice.

bittertwisted · 12/12/2025 19:36

Imogen was top of my list for baby number 2
Beatrice for number 3

they were both boys

MelrosePlace12 · 12/12/2025 19:33

Totally agree with a pp - ignore external noise and focus inward completely on your immediate family and your DD. What name suits her, what can you imagine her being called as an adult as she grows. Naming can feel like a "big pressure" and I think we feel that there must be this overwhelming sense of YES THATS IT but that's not always the case. With my son, we had that absolute eureka moment and I adore his name to this day. With my daughter, I struggled so much to name her and was put off my choice by family members / other opinions (Sophia) and ended up with Eliza (absolutely lovely still but I never feel 100% about it even now). It does suit her but I don't have that absolute overwhelming feeling that it's perfect like I do with my son's name and I think that is totally ok. Remove the pressure, enjoy your darling baby. X

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 12/12/2025 19:32

Right now I think there are probably more baby Imogens than Avas, it's quite popular now, where as Ava was v popular a while back (double check on dark greener.)

They are both nice, so I wouldn't worry too much, but no harm changing it if you want to.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 12/12/2025 19:32

Both nice.

I love imogen
Change it if you want! It's not too late!!!!

pambeesleyhalpert · 12/12/2025 19:31

in in the SW and I know far more Imogen’s than Ava’s. Both are lovely!

FazeleysRoyale · 12/12/2025 19:27

I love Imogen but when it was our turn DH disliked so no go.

I adore Agatha as @LilySLE has mentioned but I don’t like Aggie at all so would not want to shorten it.

We used a three syllable name for our DD. We never shortened it although we like the commonly used nickname which others use for her.

Ava is pretty and cannot be shortened.

Sbmpp · 12/12/2025 19:18

I love the name Ava. It was my bff’s name and we’ve been friends since birth. My 3rd daughter hates her name and especially hated it during HS. Her name is Gina and you can imagine how she was teased (aka bullied these days). It was my mil”s name who had passed on earlier that year (a whole other story :). If she had come to me I would have done something about it. Ava is sweet, feisty, daring, brave and just plain lovely.

everdine · 12/12/2025 19:11

Ava is a lovely name!

ThisLivelyRaven · 12/12/2025 19:10

amy480 · 10/12/2025 16:12

Recently had a baby girl (we didn’t know the gender) and I struggled to decide on a name (I’m naturally quite indecisive). I had 2 names in mind but when she was born my husband said she wasn’t either of those names which made the doubt set in. I also asked the opinions of close family and got negative feedback on the name I liked (Imogen). In the end we have gone for a popular name (Ava) which I have always liked but wasn’t a front runner until she was here. I now keep dwelling on the name Imogen and wondered if I should have pushed more?! Anyone else had this. For what it’s worth I do think Ava is a very pretty name and suitable for all ages (didn’t want anything too cutesy) I’m just concerned it is too popular and Imogen a bit more unique. Name choices are so hard and such a responsibility!!

Ava’s a strong solid popular name! Personally I Love the name Imogen but that’s my personal opinion! If your baby is under 16 weeks and you really regret the name 100% change the name to the one you feel is right xx