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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to change my DS's name?

149 replies

sandwichyear · 02/12/2013 18:36

My DS is 2 months old. We chose a name for him which is quite unusual, with a much more 'normal' middle name. The name we have chosen is long, hard to spell and only around 10 babies a year are given it in the UK. I had thought when we chose it that it was the kind of name that was unusual but 'known' if that makes sense, so that people might not know anyone called that but would have heard the name and would know how to pronounce it etc. It turns out that very very few people have even heard the name and every single time anyone asks us what it is, we have to explain it, spell it, discuss it etc. I am now thinking that this will be a huge burden for a young boy growing up, and that every time he says his name he will need to have a conversation about it. The middle name we have chosen is very very normal and there are likely to be a few in his class every year etc.

Should we start using his normal middle name instead or persevere with the unusual name? Would really welcome any insight from people who have grown up with a very unusual name, or used their middle name consistently (is this really annoying in terms of bureaucracy/ booking flights etc?) or anyone really with an opinion. I really like both names, so that isn't an issue. Or should we wait and let him choose himself when he's older.

Thanks very much.

PS I realise this is a first world problem etc etc.

OP posts:
Tabliope · 02/12/2013 19:19

I love it too and Zeph is easy to say and sounds cool. I don't think he'll have any problem with it at school once they know who he is.

BohemianGirl · 02/12/2013 19:20

Im sorry. I have nothing constructive to say about ' Zephaniah'. He will be asked for an entire lifetime about his name. It actually looks like a funky spelling of Stephan(ie). But you chose it so hopefully he will be able to grow into it or doe a Zowie Bowie and call himself Duncan

CunfuddledAlways · 02/12/2013 19:21

I love that name!!

Ms23 · 02/12/2013 19:22

I love Zeph! If you have that as his 'official' nickname there shouldn't be much need for anyone to spell it - people with more common shortened names (e.g. Liz for Elizabeth) almost never have to use their full name except on passport forms etc.

goodtimesinbontemps · 02/12/2013 19:23

I like it and think its a pretty straight forward spelling?

WhispersOfWickedness · 02/12/2013 19:24

Wow, I love it, definitely don't change it! Zeph is a very cool nickname too Smile

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/12/2013 19:25

I know it as a surname - the fantastic Benjamin Zephaniah. It is great. I bet there are lots of kids called it around the world. Zeph is great too.

My DB has a very unusual spelling of a quite unusual name and he hated it. Called himself David at school. He was painfully shy, on the spectrum and couldn't handle it. I would have loved an unusual name. A lot depends on his personality.

Misssss · 02/12/2013 19:25

That name is amazing! Def keep it.

WhispersOfWickedness · 02/12/2013 19:25

Sorry, yes, meant to say, I would have no problems pronouncing if I saw it and no problems spelling if I heard it, so I don't think you need to worry a lot there.

sandwichyear · 02/12/2013 19:29

thanks so much everyone. out of interest- is it a name you had heard of before (even if you didn't know anyone called that?) our situation is slightly complicated by the fact that we live abroad, so not sure whether in the UK it might be more recognisable?

OP posts:
T100 · 02/12/2013 19:30

Love it! Keep the name it's beyond cool and imo pronouncable.

Nanny0gg · 02/12/2013 19:32

He will be called Zeph within 5 minutes of starting school!

And I bet he gets called Zebediah too!

But your baby, your choice.

thegreylady · 02/12/2013 19:32

I have a young relative named Ezekiel nn Zeke and that is similar. I love your name and I would keep it using Zeph for every day :)

RoadToTuapeka · 02/12/2013 19:34

I have heard of the name, don't know anyone with it though. I like it, the short form Zeph is easy to say and spell, and the long form is really not that complicated either. It is spelt like it's said and vice versa. It is miles better than more popular names that are given a silly 'unusual' spelling. Keep it I say!

bundaberg · 02/12/2013 19:34

yes, i'd heard of it before, but i was brought up in a church-going family, so that may be why

pretty sure i'd have spelled it right but even so I would have asked you, just to make sure.

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/12/2013 19:36

It's not a name I'd choose - but given the range of names in the UK now, it's definitely not 'odd' or difficult to spell/sound out! Where are you living though - that might make a big difference?!

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 02/12/2013 19:37

Oh and no I haven't heard of the name before but me & the bible are not close mates.

HRHLadyG · 02/12/2013 19:38

Don't change it!! Be brave! Its lovely x

SootikinAndSweep · 02/12/2013 19:38

I'm not religious at all, but I have heard of it and also know how to pronounce it. I think it's fab.

Love Zeph too.

Bettercallsaul1 · 02/12/2013 19:39

Mrs TerryPratchett - Champagne names awesome for bottles of bubbly - but Nebuchadnezzar for a hapless infant? Aaagh!!

godzuki · 02/12/2013 19:40

I love it. It's my son's middle name.

godzuki · 02/12/2013 19:42

I mean Zephaniah is my son's middle name - not Nebuchadnezzar!

Felix90 · 02/12/2013 19:42

I was expecting it to be something completely weird! I've heard the name before and I really like it. Also Zeph for short is ace. Don't change it!

FranKatzenjammer · 02/12/2013 19:42

Great name, please keep it! It may even catch on- there are so many little Jeremiahs now (at least, where I live) and Zephaniah is a pretty similar name really.

godzuki · 02/12/2013 19:43

I mean Zephaniah is my son's middle name - not Nebuchadnezzar!