To change their name!

[Chesternut]

My DD is 4 years old and I gave her a name which, I thought, was very original as I hadn't heard another girl called it in about 20 years. Only to find when she started nursery another girl called the same but spelt differently. DD is due to start full time education in September and there will be 2 other girls with the same name so 3 in the class including DD. Now there's another in other DC's class.
Totally hacked off and really upset by this. Maybe an over reaction but in the 1970's I was one of 5 named the same in my class and vowed never to have my DC's live with the same. Now history is being repeated.
AIBU to change my DD's name before September? I love her name but HATE it's so common now.

Yes Hygge and talking like you can change your name like you change your underwear

I wouldn’t change her name, it’s unfair at the age of 4. You’re never be able to find a name that’s completely unique. I think you need to get over it. I know a few Esmée btw.

It will be fine. At DS primary they called children with the same first name by their second name as well. So we had Katie Ann, Katie Louise and Katie Jazz {Jasmine}. I'm sure many schools do a similar thing.

Its quite a common name where I live , nothing unusual about it all . My 16 year old daughter has a french name beginning with E too and has yet to meet anyone with the same name but its not so unusual its weird.

OMG is this a joke?
I think you need to give your head a wobble.

Imagine when shes handing in her ID for a new job and they ask why she changed her name and she has to say.... My mum wanted me to have a unique name.... So now I'm called Neveah

I honestly don't get these women who think they are sooooo clever they pick unique names! I even had a work mate call her kid Unique as she thought it was...well..unique. She got a shock when she moved into a new street

My parents chose unusual names for my siblings and I. All through primary school I never met another person with my name then went into secondary school with 5 other LadyFidgets. Since leaving school I've not met another one.
I wouldn't change your daughter's name, it'll confuse her and she may well end up like me.

Me, not I. Slap on the wrist for Lady Fidget.

My niece is an esmé, the thing is though you could name your child flumperdump and a few years later you’ll know 3 others. My son has a unique name and I’ve heard it loads now, that’s just life lol

I’m Emma. I was born in the 80s

I think I’ve know about 30 Emma’s of my age, 9 were in my school year at secondary and there were 3 of us in my primary class.

I can honestly say it has never ever been an issue I’ve given half a shit about. I cannot for a moment imagine it “colouring” my school years for crying out loud!

And let’s not even get started on my middle name being Louise...

My DD is 4 years old and I gave her a name which, I thought, was very original

I think that’s your problem-it wasn’t!

You really can’t change it now-especially since your daughter doesn’t want to. This whole post is about you and how you feel. Her name is about her though, not you.

Yabu
My dd is called Esmè and when i chose her name 2 years ago i had never met another Esmè. Now its incredibly common but i wouldn't change it. Thats her name. Names come in and out of fashion and trend all the time. Plus shes 4?! Why would you want to confuse her?

You haven't met another Esmè because you have given her name a ridiculous spelling.

Honestly, don't change it. There were three of my name in my primary school class, but since then (decades) I've met only about two other people with that name. And it never bothered me sharing my name with other people when I was a kid - proves it's a nice name if other people have it too :)

This thread has been picked up by The Sun and is being discussed all over Facebook

Oh god someone from The Wright Stuff has just messaged me to. Chesternut does not do TV!

MikeuniformMike. Esmée is the female version of Esmé. Esmé is actually a boys name!

I have a different name the the norm. Although it’s not made up and i have spent my entire life being embarrassed to say it as no one can say it or spell it correctly

I know it is Chesternut. Esmée is lovely but I wouldn't want to be called Esmé.
Esmè doesn't make any sense.

Does it matter how its spelt? Its a lovley name either way 🙄

Does it matter how its spelt?

Yes, actually it does.

Of course it matters when you've given your DD the masculine spelling and if you're going to use a name from another culture you should spell it correctly!

Call her MiMi

You would change your childs name and get her confused and upset just for appearances ?

Your an idiot,,,

no you cant do that for the rest of her life she cant be exclusive

OP, I feel your pain.

My daughter is an Esmé. We chose the name because it’s pretty, and unusual rather than odd. Fast forward 12 years and there are now 6 in her school, and we keep bumping into more absolutely everywhere we go! We haven’t seen the Twilight films, and neither had the other Esme-mums I’ve now met. I asked as that’s where everyone seems to assume that’s where we found the name.

It also seems that it was popular around 80 years ago as I met quite a few old ladies with the same name when DD was a toddler!

DD is hopeful that its increasing popularity means that one day she’ll be able to buy stuff with her name on off the shelf!