AIBU to consider letting 8 year old DD change her name?

[EmmalinaC]

Her name is Elsa.

We chose it for her because it's beautiful and classic and unusual without being weird.

She was thrilled when Frozen first came out but in the past year she has been made completely miserable by the constant, relentless let-it-go-do-you-wanna-build-a-snowman comments and teasing.

I know it's a hugely popular film, Elsa is a princess not a reindeer and DD even looks like an Elsa so it probably seems very harmless but it's not just other children - even adults (including her swimming teacher every lesson) comment and sing to her.

She's always been very confident and resilient - she's been teased about her glasses for years but she thinks they make her look clever so it's water off a duck's back! - but this is really, really getting her down.

She goes to a good school and has a fantastic teacher who I know will deal with it within her class group and make it stop - but that's only a small part of the problem when it comes from everyone she meets - and everyone thinks they're being terribly original and witty!

Last night DH took her to the panto at Wimbledon Theatre and she was asked if she wanted to be one of the children who goes onto the stage with Tim Vine. She got really upset and flatly refused which is very unlike her. When DH asked her why she said 'the first thing he will do is ask me my name, then he'll make a joke about it, and the whole theatre will laugh at me.'

This morning she asked me if she could change her name to something similar like Ellie or Ella, or use her middle name, which is pretty and unremarkable.

I can't see that this is going to end any time soon because Frozen Frenzy shows no sign of abating and I don't know how to help her deal with it so AIBU to consider letting her change her name? Or use a different name when she meets new people?

Makes me that the name we chose for her is making her so sad and embarrassed.

I feel for her. My name was very unusual when I was born (in the UK at least). Then at 12ish someone became very famous with the same name. Several years of being sung at ensued, stupid jokes etc. I hated it. However, my name is now well known but still unusual, people at least can pronounce it now which they couldn't as a child.
If I'd had a nickname I'd have used that, alas my name doesn't lend itself to that.

I have a very ordinary name and people still asked me where Tarzan was? Thinking they were funny

I would go with a nickname or using middle name as middle name use is fairly common place and what they are for - an alternative name

I second Ellie or Elsie. I don't use my given name but always use an abbreviation. It's not uncommon.

Thanks for all the fab responses! Had a long chat with DD last night and reminded her that:

a) Elsa is a beautiful name
b) Frozen's Elsa is a strong, brave, independent spirit (not to mention a princess) which is why she needed a fabulous name
c) My Elsa was here first
d) That if she shows it's getting her down some (unkind) children will tease her even more
e) When she meets new people, Tim Vine, for example, she can use any names she likes

I also coached her in some witty retorts and put downs for the unoriginal people who persist!

She went to school today much much happier!

Good call Emmalina