Have you changed your baby's name?

We changed our son's name unofficially at about 7 weeks old (yes, not long after we'd registered the name!). A few weeks later, when we'd decided we really did like the new name, we changed it officially. Easy peasy. No-one batted an eye - except my mother-in-law who still finds it incredible that we did it! Actually, many people's reaction was ... oh, I wish we'd done that. I think the trick is to do it early. Huxley is a great name.

Huxley is an awesome name

My friend did it twice!! Each time she changed it to something nicer though. If she'd done it the other way 'round, it would have seemed harder I guess.

Some of her wider circle of acquaintance though, can't remember which of the five names announced are the final 3 iyswim. (she has 3 girls).

It was quite traditional in Ireland and Scotland to be known as your mn. Definitely not unusual.

Lots of people use their middle and this is
fine, its their name after all, I don't see a problem with this.

I know 3 people whose parents did this

Rosamund Claire (known as Claire from birth but parents liked the sound of Rosamund Claire better than Claire Rosamund) Naturally as soon as we found this out at school everyone just called her Rosamund to annoy her

Caroline Serena (parents changed to calling her Serena at 6 months) All offical stuff was still Caroline, confusing I think

Charles James (parents always called him James but again liked Charles James better than James Charles) Again all offical stuff still as Charles

I do think calling someone by their middle name is just about ok but confusing, but changing their name all together is maybe going a bit far!

Did your DH want to change as well, what was your family's reaction? What does the birth certificate now say?

I have been thinking about this for DS2, he is now six months old, but DH does not want to and thinks I am being mad. DS2 is only 14 months older than DS1 and we just had a mental block thinking of a boys name again so soon we used the name I love for DS1.To be honest at the same time I have got use to his name and given I have changed my mind once I may change it again, so it may be better to stick with it. Its just that if I could turn the clock back I would have called him something else.

I think you are really brave, I would worry about how other people would react and also how I would explain this to DS2 when he is
older.

but part of the reaction might have been to the name Huxley rather than the fact you changed it?

I would be really surprised at someone doing this to be honest - never come across it. But if it didn't feel right then I guess you did the right thing... must be hard for people to get used to!!