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Baby names

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

Original poster

actually not for baby, for me, I'm changing my name, help me choose a new one pls

161 replies

ErnestTheBavarian · 30/01/2009 14:32

I've decided at the ripe old age of 30ish (ok, 38) that I'm gonna change my name.

Want something short (1 syllable, max. 2)

like Kathy but can't have that. Like Kim but dh doesn't.

Nothing beginning with A

Nothing wacky or made up, or too 'of an era' eg Tracey.

So, any ideas?

OP posts:
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frazzledoldbag · 02/02/2009 09:05

Actually my vote is for Anna as your new name. Classic, unpretentious but elegant and pretty.

frazzledoldbag · 02/02/2009 09:02

oh god sorry. no idea how I managed that!!!!!

belgo · 02/02/2009 09:01

I have two irish relatives who were both known by two very different first names, depending on where they were at the time.

frazzledoldbag · 02/02/2009 09:01

ernest - I'm not sure whether mum did deed poll, but am pretty sure she didn't because when she died her old name was on all the documents etc but she had changed everything else to include her new name (bank cards etc etc). In fact thinking about it what I think she did was add her chosen name as a middle name and became known by that (IYSWIM).
eg. Gertrude Jane Smith (known as Jane Smith)
(not her actual names obviously!)
Sorry, if she was alive I could ask her the details but sadly not. And I was very young when she did it. What I do know is that it made her much happier having a lovely name instead of the horrid (and it was awful) one that her parents chose to saddle her with. Go for it.
What about Christy short for Christine?
Or Fiona
I really like Clare and Charlotte.
Other friends (I'm similar age to you) are called things like:
Jane, Bella, Nicola, Ruth, Emma, Sally, Anna, Kate, Lucy.
Hope that helps.
Good luck with it.

frazzledoldbag · 02/02/2009 09:01

ernest - I'm not sure whether mum did deed poll, but am pretty sure she didn't because when she died her old name was on all the documents etc but she had changed everything else to include her new name (bank cards etc etc). In fact thinking about it what I think she did was add her chosen name as a middle name and became known by that (IYSWIM).
eg. Gertrude Jane Smith (known as Jane Smith)
(not her actual names obviously!)
Sorry, if she was alive I could ask her the details but sadly not. And I was very young when she did it. What I do know is that it made her much happier having a lovely name instead of the horrid (and it was awful) one that her parents chose to saddle her with. Go for it.
What about Christy short for Christine?
Or Fiona
I really like Clare and Charlotte.
Other friends (I'm similar age to you) are called things like:
Jane, Bella, Nicola, Ruth, Emma, Sally, Anna, Kate, Lucy.
Hope that helps.
Good luck with it.

frazzledoldbag · 02/02/2009 09:01

ernest - I'm not sure whether mum did deed poll, but am pretty sure she didn't because when she died her old name was on all the documents etc but she had changed everything else to include her new name (bank cards etc etc). In fact thinking about it what I think she did was add her chosen name as a middle name and became known by that (IYSWIM).
eg. Gertrude Jane Smith (known as Jane Smith)
(not her actual names obviously!)
Sorry, if she was alive I could ask her the details but sadly not. And I was very young when she did it. What I do know is that it made her much happier having a lovely name instead of the horrid (and it was awful) one that her parents chose to saddle her with. Go for it.
What about Christy short for Christine?
Or Fiona
I really like Clare and Charlotte.
Other friends (I'm similar age to you) are called things like:
Jane, Bella, Nicola, Ruth, Emma, Sally, Anna, Kate, Lucy.
Hope that helps.
Good luck with it.

belgo · 02/02/2009 09:00

From your list I would say Jenny is too popular, Maggie sounds quite harsh, and Laura is lovely.

What about Susie, Carrie or Lizzie?

salvadory · 02/02/2009 09:00

my aunt changed her name from Barbara in her 50's (or late 40's anyway). My mum thought it was a bit contrary but hating my own name I thought it was a good thing to do. She moved to a new area and everyone in her immediate family have all embraced the new name. Of course no-one where she lives now knew her by Barbara and she suits her new name much more. Good luck if you want to do it. However have you ever noticed how your opinion of a name is always coloured by the people you know with that same name. There may be many people who have encountered you who think that your name is lovely as they associate it with you.

Original poster
ErnestTheBavarian · 02/02/2009 08:56

can't do Amy, as another baby in family with this name.

Alice - I've bottled it I think 3 times on moving now, but soon I'm moving again, and am def going to go for it.

I think I've narrowed it to Maggie, Jenny or Laura.

You all keep coming up with such good ideas, I keep adding to my list. I need to make a decision.

Don't know or care what my mum says tbh - she knows I've always hated my name. If she still calls me by my old name I won't be bothered, it's meeting new people, my new fresh start I care about.

OP posts:
Buda · 02/02/2009 08:40

I really like Laura. DS was nearly Laura!

What will your parents say?

frazzledoldbag - what was your Mum's name?

Very brave decisions to change.

AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump · 02/02/2009 08:32

WOW!

I would love to change my name. Name is Kate and I hate hate hate it. The name itself is okay I concede but it just doesn't suit me at all. I always cringe when people ask me my name because I sound all simpery when I say it and it's SO not me. Everyone close to me has some nickname or other for me, even my parents.

We recently made a big move and I was going to just arrive at the new place and introduce myself as a new name, but DH was really unsure about the whole thing and I bottled it.

Good for you!

belgo · 02/02/2009 08:28

Amy?

belgo · 02/02/2009 08:27

all the names I'm suggesting I know were people born in the 1970s.

belgo · 02/02/2009 08:26

What about Jessica/Jessie? Victoria/Vicky?

Maggie is great, so is Christine.

I like the name Olga.

Original poster
ErnestTheBavarian · 02/02/2009 08:24

wow, so many suggestions thanks everyone

frazzledoldbag that's really interesting - so I'm not the only one then. Did your mum go the whole deed poll route, or just get people to call her by her new name?

Don't feel able to divulge name, but not too dissimilar to Hilda. Or Olga. Just think old and ugly.

Surname is 2 syllables, stress on 1st, beginning with K.

I've always dreamt of changing my name. in my teens & early twenties I wanted Kim, but don't fancy it so much now for me, tho I still really like the name. (maybe cos married surname begins with K now) Then it was Laura or Louise, but family member just called her dd Louisa, so think it's too similar & they'll think I'm weird & piss off family knicking baby's new name iyswim.

like TheFirstLiffey says, don't want anything too obvious - not one for drawing attention to myself, and don't want to it be obvious I've changed. DOn't want anything too different that makes my name stand out - I've had a name that stands out (for the wrong reasons) all my life. I want something happy sounding that blends in, doesn't sound too old serious or boring but also age appropriate

I like Clare, but is it a bit boring ? (Sorry any Clares - it was on list for dd, I do like it honest)
Like Christine (Chrissie & Maggie - too simpsons?) Seem to be leaning to something with ie/y ending now I think of it, which is odd, cos when choosing name for dd last year, I decidedly didn't want this ending?

OP posts:
noonki · 01/02/2009 20:33

I always wanted to be a Jodie
how about

Sara
Cleo
Sophie
Emma

friends at school and I'm about your age.

please tell us!!!

tryingtobemarypoppins · 01/02/2009 20:18

but not 1 syllable sorry!

tryingtobemarypoppins · 01/02/2009 20:17

I have a relative called Claudia (Cloud i a) its different!

tryingtobemarypoppins · 01/02/2009 20:14

Your names not really EnestTheBavarian is it?

missymoo2411 · 01/02/2009 20:07

well im helen and i get elle for short and in my 30s what about jodie

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 01/02/2009 13:45

Only one suggestion for Clare so far, I think its fab. And Beth, Sarah, Marie and Helen.

TheFirstLiffey · 01/02/2009 13:32

If I were to change my name I think I would choose Rachel or Beth. They are just two names from my own generation that I really like. I like Ellen and Anna and Susie too.

Names like Esme, Edie, Beatrice or Flora or Dulcie or Polly etc,,would call to much attention to an adult who'd changed their name. So I think you're wise not to go down that route.

belgo · 01/02/2009 13:27

If I were too change my name I would chose:
Mary
Lily
Martha or
Harriet (that's what my mother wanted to call me).

TheFirstLiffey · 01/02/2009 13:18

Please tell us your old name!

belgo · 01/02/2009 13:18

How intriging!

Josie is a lovely, jolly sounding name.