Do I change dd’s name!?

[NameChanged15729]

My daughter is three months old and I just cannot get used to her name. While I was pregnant with her I had this belief that the perfect name would just come to me as that’s what happened with her older sister.

This just didn’t happen. Me and dh couldn’t agree on a name and in the end we compromised on one that we both liked but neither loved. Subsequently he has gone off the name we gave her but still couldn’t think of anything else.

That perfect name has now come to me and I can’t see her as anything else! Dh also really likes it and I have massive regret that I didn’t consider it before she was born. The name I want to give her can actually be considered as a nickname for her current name but I don’t think it’s a natural derivative so am unsure of just using it as a nickname.

I know it can be changed on her birth certificate up until one but would I be stupid to do that? Part of me thinks she will grow into it and I’ll get used to it… but the other part of me thinks I’ll forever regret it if I don’t change it.

If you’re both in agreement it’s better to change it sooner than later. There’s no need to feel stupid, better to correct it now than always regret not changing it.

Do it.

You'll always regret it if not. The longer you leave it the more difficult it will become.

It’s not at all stupid if you and your dh agree! You could put her current name as a middle name so you still have the link if that helps?

Just change it!!

Definitely do it. If neither of you likes her current name and you've got an alternative that you like and which suits her, it seems like a no-brainer. In 3 months time you'll forget she ever had a different name but if you don't do it you'll probably regret it forever.

Change it. She is still so young anyway and sooner rather than later is def best...

Change it. My stepsister did this with their firstborn and as I am writing this I'm struggling to remember what the original name was (16 years ago).

Change it she is only 3 months. Just tell people you've changed your mind. Job done! I'm glad you've found something you live!

Aw, definitely change it! If you and your husband both agree that is the main thing. Not silly. There's a reason it is allowed up until a certain age.

I changed my daughters name. However her birth certificate still says her old name with extremely small writing at the bottom with the corrected name. Although it is official I had a nightmare with the passport office it took several months for them to accept the new name. I also had some issues opening her a bank account but again it was sorted in the end.

Please change the name if it isn't right. I would also add they don't just change the name because you changed your mind. There has to be a good reason and then it goes to some kind of panel to be assessed.

Good luck xx

Are you prepared to put the names on here? If you say they are nick name possibles, I'd go down that route, rather than change.

Thanks everyone, that’s quite unanimous!

I’ve made an appointment with registry office and I’m 90% sold on changing it. It just feels like such a strange thing to do. She’s 9 weeks old and only been known by her name. What if I change it but then can’t get used to her new name? Although if I’d thought of the second name first she would never have been the first name so there’s that.

I’m still thinking of the nick name option. It’s just that while it can be used as a nick name it doesn’t seem like a natural choice.

What are the names, OP?

Although I do think you should just go for it. 9 weeks is so young. The sooner you do it the easier it will be.

Her current name is Adelaide. I want to change it to Heidi.

@NameChanged15729

Her current name is Adelaide. I want to change it to Heidi.

They're both lovely names.

It’s not a very natural nickname and if you’re literally never going to call her Adelaide then I would change it.
She’ll have to explain at school/jobs etc that she’s called Heidi. Not the end of the world but not convenient either for a name she’ll never be called.

The common nickname for Adelaide is Addie. Heidi is the nickname for Adelheid so I'm not sure that would work? They are both nice names but if you prefer Heidi, change it soon.

Oh pretty names!

In your shoes I would definitely change. You'll get used to it quickly.

If you've got a year to change officially, why don't you start using the new name now, to make sure you really do like it, and then make the official change in a month or two when you are sure?

What if I change it but then can’t get used to her new name?

Why don't you and your Husband start calling her the new name now, before the appointment at the registry office, to see if you can get used to it?

I think I'd keep her as Adelaide but use Heidi as her nickname. No one is going to question her nickname - Mine for years had nothing to do with my actual name, and that's not uncommon at all, really.

But if you do really want to change it, I'd spend a week or so at least calling her Heidi and seeing if you're happier with that before you do anything.

Both are beautiful names.

(I love Adelaide and loathe Heidi.) I'd leave her name as it is and just call her Heidi. She can then choose later. My Uncle Bill had three names, none of which resembled Bill or William in the slightest. He was never known by any of his birth certificate names and it wasn't a problem.

I'm not keen on Adelaide at all but Heidi is really pretty.
Get it changed