Changing childs name by swapping first and middle name and also adding maiden name as second middle name

[cantdecidemum]

My 5 year old’s name is Selena Elianah +surname. I am deciding if ill swap the names to Elianah Selena and add my maiden name as a second middle name ( in our culture, the middle name is always the mothers maiden name and we can have two to three first names) I did not know that it was different in western countries( We live in Australia) so when we registered her i did not include my maiden name. I thought it was automatic same back home ( Philippines) I have regretted it. I am one of 4 daughters and no brothers and no male cousins either so my maiden name dies with us. I was too afraid to change her birth certificate and hubby was not keen. The second predicament is that we have called her mostly Elianah instead of Selena ( again, in our culture we have two to three first names and we all use it or interchangeable) She does answer to both names. But when we asked her what she prefers, she prefers Elianah and chose the nickname Eli for herself. I do not want her to end up justifying my name is bla bla but can me this…or i go with middle name. So we were thinking of changing her name legally, but am I just making more problem for her? I need to settle this issue as has been bothering me for years and if I dont change it now before she starts school, we will have to settle for her current name :(

I can understand wanting to include the maiden name.

I don't think for the the forenames it has to be a big deal. I know plenty of people who are called by their middle name. You just register the first name, but also state their preferred name.

I have two kids who now go by shortened versions of their forenames. Everyone calls them by these, even teachers. It's not a big deal.

If you are making changes then you might as well do both. In my experience it will be much easier for her to have the name she actually uses as her first name.

thank you