To rename my 8 week old?

[finchwoman]

Alright, I need some honesty here. If someone told you they renamed their 8 week old, what would your reaction be? Would you perhaps think it's daft, strange, or maybe wouldn't be news at all?

I never thought I'd find myself in this situation but I registered my DD and I've completely gone off it. Actually, I never cared for the name anyway. There was one name I absolutely loved and my family all shot it down saying it was horrid and suggested the name we went with. Registered her, went home, got some sleep and woke up wondering what the hell had just happened.

Now ever since I've had a chance to relax, I wish we'd have gone with my favourite name! I'm pissed off my family did this when I was in a state, and I'm even more pissed that I let them talk me out of my favourite name, I mean it's only going to be DD's name forever. eye roll How did I let that happen! I'm sitting here crying over it frequently, and the name just feels out of place.

DH says we should do it, but I really don't know what kind of ground I'm standing on here. I know I shouldn't give a toss, but I'm wondering about the social implications this might have (if any).

And no, I won't say the names, I don't want you lot saying "But Freya* is so much nicer than Gertrude*! Don't change it!" :)

Thank you all. I just need a bit of honesty I think as I can feel myself getting a bit out of sorts about it.

Honestly I'd wish I'd had the guts to do it and a husband that wasn't so worried what everyone would say that I let him veto the idea. I'd think good on you.

I honestly wouldn’t judge you at all. Genuinely. Naming babies is hard and you have to do it when you’re sleep deprived and hormonal, which just isn’t fair! As you say, your DD’s name is for life - you need to be happy with it.

I don’t think there are any social implications. Everyone will just get used to it. Judging by the number of threads about it on MN it happens lots more than you would think.

Just do it. I wouldn't turn a hair if I heard someone had changed their baby's name at eight weeks, it's still very early. Do it now and within a few weeks everyone will have forgotten she had a different name originally. Go with the name you love.

Change it to what you really want, life is too short to worry about what other people think

Change it and don't worry about it at all. You and your DH agree, that's all you need to know. Your family were unkind to be negative about your name choice and should have kept their opinions to themselves.

8 weeks is nothing. 8 years might raise an eyebrow. But 18 years I would think ‘go for it’ so that shows how I feel! Seriously, go for it. He baby certainly won’t know the difference and no-one else matters but you as a family.

This happens more frequently than people realise - you have to live with it too, change it. But before you make the ultimate decision, live a week calling baby by new name. See how it fits etc

Please go with the name you love!

Change it. It’s been on your mind for 8 weeks it’s the right decision

What are the names?

I would think that you felt your baby's personality suited the other namebetter and then changed it

Change it!
She's only 8 weeks. Yes you'll get a few raised eyebrows from people saying "oh i thought her name was Martha" easily dealt with " not anymore, it's Luna" smile and change the subject.
I'd be short & sharp with family. "Just to let you know we've changed baby's name to Luna, it's not up for discussion"
You will regret it forever If you don't.
Whats a few sly surprised comments compared to a lifetime of knowing you made the right decision and love her name.
Good luck.

Trust me, once she becomes a toddler and you find yourself saying her name 80+ times per day, you'll be glad you changed it!!!

I wouldn’t judge you at all. Not quite the same situation but I know a couple who called their baby a lovely first name and lovely middle name, but the two names had a really unfortunate meaning when put together. But they didn’t realise that when they chose the names. So they changed the baby’s name when they realised about 4 weeks later. No one batted an eyelid as far as I know.

There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind!

Wouldn't even bat an eyelid. Your child your choice and anyone who decides to be a dick over a name isn't worth worrying about.

Definitely do it or it will always nag at you!

Definitely do it. Tell your family you decided to go with your favourite name after all and it's not up for discussion. Tell your friends you let people talk you out of the name you wanted, but decided to go with it after all. Birth certificates can be amended at this age too, so no reason not to go for it.

Please can you come back and tell us the name after you've done it?

My friend did this when her DD was about 6 weeks. Only thing is all of the cards she received when baby was born have the original name written on them.
They changed her name to the feminine version of her uncles which was a bit strange.

just do it.
It is easy to say - as we got to know her she just wasn't a Gertrude.

If you and dh agree, and the name isn't weird/too try hard/totally ridiculous spelling etc then just do it.

Just change the name for sure.

Tell us the names though

Do it OP. Whenever it comes up on MN people are much happier once they have changed it.

Oh yes and please tell us the names!

Do it. She doesn't know her name yet. You will forever regret it if you don't. F*ck what other people think. If I knew you in real life I'd just think "good on you !"

I know two people who changed their DD’s names at 12 months. Do it!