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.

It's a gorgeous name. If she struggles she can choose to change it herself in the future. She probably won't mind. My name is incredibly popular and have never been at a school or job where there isn't at least one other. But it's still my name and can't imagine getting used to a new one. I also got given a really nice nickname!
As PP said she may make friends with other esmée's due to having the same name. Or she could develop a cute nickname too.

Of course you can change her name. She's only 4, but do it before school.
I've changed a dad's name, absolutely fine. And a friend changed her sons name just before he started school.
One of my dds has a name like this and if has always annoyed her. There have always been 3+ in her year and she's always wished she was know by her middle name, it's annoying to always be called your full name.
If you want to go for it.

Not a 'dads' one of my dd's

YABVVVVVU!

Oh yes, Esme was a Twilight character name wasn't it? It's very pretty though. If she's not bothered don't worry about it.

If your school years were so affected by the fact that others had the same name as you OP, I'd say the issue goes a bit deeper.

Please recognise that and don't put this onto your child. It is YOUR issue only and needs to stay that way.

Beautiful name btw and not one I have heard for a long time.

What's the not-polite nickname?

My DC have what we thought were classic names but turned out to be very popular. Both were Name Surname through school. Both names still fairly popular, Surname not unusual but with one of two or 3 spellings. Both DC happy with names. Not regretted it. ( Not the names but Sarah or Daniel type names).
In Baby names you get ooh that's nice and so unusual about names that you know will end up a lot more popular than they expect. (Think Elodie and Finn type names)

My eldest daughter was christened with a long name.. and it was shortened right from the start. when she went to college she got fed up with having to get certificates changed as they were often done in the wrong name (her shortened name) so she changed her name by deed poll to shortened name, christened name, and her original middle name. its made life a lot easier.. daft things like cheques at birthday/christmas in her shortened name needing to be sent back to folks

Actually that's a thought with Kate - Catherine or Katharine on BC? type names.

Op, you’re projecting and are verging on the ridiculous

Leave her alone and let her be the name she is. She may enjoy meeting other Esmes- she may feel part of things in a way you didn’t

Chill out!

chicken 28 out of 30 girls in my secondary school form had the same middle name and yes it was Louise. I was only one with different middle name and my friend didn’t have a one. Op you can’t change a 4 years old name. I’m sure it will be fine.

Mikeuniformmike - both Elodie and Ethel (pronounced Etel) were both on my list as they are family names. I haven't met a child named either yet. E seems to have been the rigueur de jour.

My DD was given a name with family links, not very common, an old fashioned name, but shared by a famous actress. She has often complained that her name was uncommon and no-one else around her at school had the same name. It is hard to win.

What will you do when in her next class or school there's other girls with the same name.? Change it again.
It's a very popular name and very pretty :)

My DS has a name no one else in any of his schools has had.
But my dd, her name isn't massively popular but I know there will no doubt be at least another

The initial thing is funny isn't. Some letters are way more popular.
Admittedly, there are more names to choose from with certain letters. Not many names start with Q, Y, Z or X.
Elodie has caught on in the past 4 years or so, following the Ellie, Ella, Eleanor, Eloise ... trend. It's nice.

Of course you can't just change your child's name at this age! Just because YOU have major issues with regards this type of thing, doesn't mean you can go screwing around with a major part of your child's identity.

If she herself wants to change her name at any point in her life then that's up to her, and nothing to do with you.

In my class there were two Pamelas, four Julies and three Susans, and I was one of the ones with a shared name. Didn't bother any of us in the slightest, as far as I can remember. Esmee is a lovely name, and it is her name - why should she change it?

Well this is completely insane.

Really don’t you think your being a bit of a name snob,wanting it all to yourself,that’s never going to happen,when I was at school there were four with the same name in our class ,no one batted an eyelid,it’s a lovely name which you choose for your beautiful DD,

I don't think you can change her name at 4. It is a nice name and she will make it her own. You could always use "Emmy" or something a bit different as a nickname.

For anyone who does not want their child's name to be popular: try the dark greener website before making your final choice.

names.darkgreener.com

My daughter is called Esmae. You are being ridiculous. Get a grip OP.

Is her middle name May?

Honestly it's a bad idea at her age. The name is beautiful..please don't change it.

I have asked DD if she'd like to change her name but she stated no

There you go then.