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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Changing DD s name

84 replies

whynowblowwind · 28/05/2014 22:57

Has anyone ever done this?

Dd is 6 weeks. Her name is nice but unfortunately it's a brand name of something. We decided early on in the pregnancy on this name as a possibility and decided to use it - I think because it "became" our dd we didn't think of the product.

But, other people do and whenever I say DDs name they say "oh like the ..."

WIBU to change it? DH thinks I'm being stupid but I'm worried about the poor child going through life constantly saying "yes, like the ...."

OP posts:

Wantsunshine · 28/05/2014 23:18

I think it's a nice name. If you do change it what about Fleur maybe.

GiniCooper · 28/05/2014 23:22

Don't change it, it's beautiful.

(There's no such thing as an Irish floragh FFS)

RedNosedClone · 28/05/2014 23:23

Beautiful name, don't change it because of a few idiots. They'll only make the margarine remark the first time they hear the name.

Makes me think of flowers and summer, it's a lovely light, feminine name.

MissWimpyDimple · 28/05/2014 23:24

I like it and grew up with one and it was never an issue. Don't like fleur at all. It's more of a sound than a name. Like bleugh...

Wantsunshine · 28/05/2014 23:28

Yeah it does sound a bit like Bleugh come to think of it!

chesterberry · 28/05/2014 23:28

I don't think you should change it as it sounds like you really love it. I think Flora is a lovely name too and have a friend called Flora - I never really linked it to the spread before.

I think that whatever the name to there will always be people who say, "Oh, like [insert actress/ plant/ film/ cartoon character etc" as they try and make sure they have the name right. I don't think that means they are all going to be thinking you named her after that and I think it will become less as she becomes older too. As soon as people get to know your daughter then Flora will just 'become' your DD for them as it has for them.

I'm a teacher and I had a child in my class last year who had been named after something very common and not at all name-like (a bit like Gwyneth Paltrow naming her child Apple), on first hearing it I felt it sounded ridiculous and really couldn't deal with it as the name of a three-year-old. However I soon came to really like it as a name, it suited the child and now when I hear that word I think of it as a name first! And Flora is already a lovely name first and a brand second so I wouldn't worry - even people who do think of the brand will quickly just come to see it as your DD's name.

Bellezeboobian · 28/05/2014 23:30

I think that's nice but if you really don't like it it's early enough to change it. Any ideas?

Poppyhat · 28/05/2014 23:32

Aw don't change it ,it's lovely.
I knew a flora years ago ,she had a 'mac' surname .it was a beautiful name.
The spread might not even be around in a few years .
Ps harriet is my granddaughters name .so I would obviously agree that it is a great alternative :-)
And of course poppy is a beauty too :-)

MeganChips · 28/05/2014 23:35

Flora is lovely and you obviously really like it.

Keep it, it will just become 'her' once people get used to it. Everyone used to tell me DS had a dog's name but they don't any more.

memedragon · 28/05/2014 23:42

I've met several Floras and have honestly never thought of the margarine! Don't change it, it's lovely. Both my first and surname are strongly associated with popular things/people to the extent where people would always point out one or the other when I was a child. At worst it's slightly annoying hearing the same thing over and over, but it's really not that bad. Also it doesn't happen now I am an adult.

angryangryyoungwoman · 28/05/2014 23:45

It is my dds name and I love it, can't say I have had any mentions of margarine yet, maybe you have just been unlucky! Anyway, I vote change it, then my daughter will be more unusual! Seriously though, if you like it, keep it.

ElkTheory · 28/05/2014 23:45

Flora is a lovely name. Ignore the silly (and unimaginative) comments. I'm sure they will stop soon.

ClashCityRocker · 28/05/2014 23:45

Floras a lovely name. Do you see her as a flora yet?

Also, presumably, everyone knows she's called flora already? Then you'd have to explain why she isn't called flora anymore, and it will be bought up every time your dd sees someone who knew she was born a 'flora'.

In twenty years time, relatives will be saying 'you used to be called flora, you know'...

Seriously, it's a lovely name.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 28/05/2014 23:50

It is a delightful name (however my judgement on this may not be a good thing given that most of my children's names have already been mentioned in the Jocasta thread )

Purely due to the image it creates in your head I would keep it.

JohnCusacksWife · 28/05/2014 23:53

Flora is lovely. Florence is not. Leave her name as it is and people will soon get used to it. Although I can't really believe many people would be so rude as to comment!

ThingsThatShine · 28/05/2014 23:54

Flora is a fab name, really pretty. I would keep it. Some people are so rude! Fwiw I think flowers and meadows type imagery before I think margarine!

browneyedgirl86 · 28/05/2014 23:58

I like the name. But if you and your Dh have an alternative then by all means if you want too, change it. A relative of mine changed her DDs name at 6 months as she decided she didn't like the name. It's not been a big deal.

GatoradeMeBitch · 29/05/2014 00:00

If that bothers you, I will bring up the Jilly Cooper example just so you are well informed. A character calls Flora has to put up with 'Inter Flora' jokes from her peers.

Neither the margarine or the florist thing would put me off though, I think Flora is a very pretty name.

MrsAlexVause · 29/05/2014 00:11

I think Flora is a gorgeous name. People will soon stop mentioning the spread bloody idiots

DeWee · 29/05/2014 00:26

I like Flora, Emily, Harriet or Poppy. I think they're all lovely. Don't like Florence though.

If you continue everyone will get used to it pretty quickly, and Flora will conjure up a picture of your gorgeous dd when they're asking to pass the butter.

Caff2 · 29/05/2014 00:32

I would think the marg if I just saw the word - but not if I knew someone with the name, they become their name iykwim. If you love it, keep it (although I discounted Ariel for a girl even though LOVE it for similar reasons!)

wouldbemedic · 29/05/2014 00:40

I'd ignore the margarine comments. It's only the first time and probably won't happen as she gets older. People say silly things about baby names. There's such a pressure on how to react - I always blurt out the first thing that comes into my head I'm afraid.

Flora is pretty and it means a lot to you. Keep it.

sykadelic · 29/05/2014 01:28

You could always respond "no, as in meadows of flowers"

Or you could say it first, "Flora, spelt like the product".

There are worse things to have the same name as.

Pinkynotperky · 29/05/2014 01:42

I think YABU it's a lovely name! It's really pretty!!

enormouse · 29/05/2014 01:50

I really like Flora

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