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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:
Puffinlover · 02/12/2013 19:43

I really like it, def keep it

VikingLady · 02/12/2013 19:43

Thank you Op for giving me another name to add to the list (for hypothetical future DCs)!

I know how to spell and pronounce it, it is an "actual" name, and it has an easy short form. Once he's at school you'll find his class is full if kids with unusual names anyway.

MammaTJ · 02/12/2013 19:45

It's a fabulous name, don't change it!

NoComet · 02/12/2013 19:47

Zephaniah like the poet surely isn't a problem to pronounce and Zeph is cool.

DDs go to school with a Zak (Zachary) and that doesn't cause any problem.

I'd have to ask him to spell it, but I'm dyslexic and can't spell my own (think non turning ladies) middle name, without thinking about it.

PrincessFlirtyPants · 02/12/2013 19:48

MrsTerryPratchett Balthazar is a brilliant name! I love it.

OP, your DS has a lovely name, keep it Smile

Mamafratelli · 02/12/2013 19:48

Love it. Especially Zeph.

BrownSauceSandwich · 02/12/2013 19:48

Is it Mephistopheles?

SlimJimBra · 02/12/2013 19:49

Love the name Zephaniah - I was wondering if the name in question might be Zaccheaus

limegreenpickle · 02/12/2013 19:51

That is the coolest name ever! If people haven't heard of it or can't spell it, then they can learn. How wonderful to have such a powerful name. Benjamin Zephaniah is an amazing man. I'm voting for Keep the Name!

HarderToKidnap · 02/12/2013 19:52

I KNEW it was Zephaniah. Wish I'd put my guess on before you revealed it! I know two baby zephaniahs, both called zeph or zephy. It's a great name, no need for change IMO. I like daniel but it's no Zephy.

Bettercallsaul1 · 02/12/2013 19:55

I don't think Zephaniah is that outlandish - it's in the same sort of family as Zechariah and Zachary and the shortened forms Zach/Zack are pretty popular. I'm sure "Zeph" would soon catch on, if you don't mind it being abbreviated.

FixItUpChappie · 02/12/2013 19:57

Its a great name with a very cool nickname - just go by the nickname if your concerned....he will almost certainly anyway.

CaterpillarCara · 02/12/2013 19:58

Surely everyone has heard of Benjamin Zephaniah? If you say, "his name is Zephaniah like the poet", do you get recognition then? Am sure you will from school teachers anyway.

marmitecat · 02/12/2013 19:58

Beautiful, beautiful name. What a lucky boy! Don't dream of changing it. It is awesome.

HyvaPaiva · 02/12/2013 19:58

Please, please keep it! It's lovely.

perplexedpirate · 02/12/2013 20:00

Love it! Keep it, no doubt.

foreverondiet · 02/12/2013 20:02

There is a boy in my DS's class with that name called Zeph (zef) for short. I think it's lovely no need to change.

Bettercallsaul1 · 02/12/2013 20:03

godzuci - hoped you meant that! (phew!)

starrystarryknut · 02/12/2013 20:04

I know two people called Zephaniah, so seems fine to me.

willowstar · 02/12/2013 20:06

That is a beautiful name and Zeph will serve him well when he is at school. I have heard of it, I immediately thought of the Amish when I read it, I think that is where I have heard it. Please keep it, it is lovely. Mind you my children both have unusual names, I am not one to go with the crowd.

acebaby · 02/12/2013 20:06

What a wonderful name! Zeph is very cool. Don't change it

bluecheeseforbreakfast · 02/12/2013 20:07

What a great name! Don't change it! Your ds can use daniel if he dislikes his name when he is older.

My ds has a name that is Alvin but starting with a different vowl. I was so tired of correcting people when ds was first born, I considered changing his name to alvin as that is what most people thought his name was when they 1st heared it. We didn't change it, now everyone knows my son as (e) lvin.

The 1st couple of months of a child's life is all about meeting people at baby groups and telling friends and familyu what the name is people like to talk about babies but they don't really do much, maybe that is why you are having such frequent conversations about his name, people would rather talk about that than if your ds is pooing regularly or if your nipples are cracked or if your stitches have healed well.

Congratulations :)

GenericNWFucker · 02/12/2013 20:08

Definitely keep it! I know a little boy Zephaniah - he's about 7/8. Ppl were a bit Hmm when his mum and dad used it, but he was known by Zeph long before he started school and it really suits him. The other kids don't bat an eyelid!

For what it's worth I have an unusual name myself - one where you will have heard of it, but probably don't know anyone else called it. I have had to spell it and pronounce it for ppl my whole life, but I love that whenever I hear someone say the name it's me!

You chose it because you love it, have the courage of your convictions and stick with it!

seafoodudon · 02/12/2013 20:09

Agree entirely with bluecheese's comments re babygroups and name chat. I'm sure I've had chats with people about why they called their child Jack - it's just something to talk about. Gorgeous name btw.

intothenever · 02/12/2013 20:09

I was going to say 'change it, for god's sake'

but oddly enough I really like Zephaniah.

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