Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To rename my 8 week old?

153 replies

finchwoman · 27/11/2018 21:45

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.

OP posts:
missmouse101 · 27/11/2018 22:11

Yanbu! Go for it.

firsttimebabybirther · 27/11/2018 22:12

Change it definitely, it will always bother you and you'll feel that she was "supposed to be a ..."

Naming babies is so hard , I wouldn't judge you at all , I had a name picked for DS and let's just say thank god I waited until late as possible to name him so I could change my mind Grin

flumpybear · 27/11/2018 22:14

Change the name - do it and move on, forget the old name, do it for you

My mum hated my choice, we went with our hearts - DD is 10 and loves her name - mum is now dead

halcyondays · 27/11/2018 22:17

Change it, she's only 8 weeks.

vixy1988 · 27/11/2018 22:18

I would do it now before DD gets older

atomicfission · 27/11/2018 22:19

Totally do it. It's really not a big deal (compared with always wishing you'd picked the name you love).

MonkeyNuts - "the two names had a really unfortunate meaning when put together".** Oh go on, tell us Grin (I'm guessing Jenna Taylor)

SirVixofVixHall · 27/11/2018 22:19

I know someone who did this, but their baby was quite a bit older, nine months to a year I think. Now most people have forgotten that he ever had that initial name. If you don’t like it, change it now while your baby is still tiny.

notangelinajolie · 27/11/2018 22:19

Yes, do it.

TonTonMacoute · 27/11/2018 22:20

Do it. The only mistake you have made is being swayed by other people and not sticking with your first idea. A good lesson for the future!

RagamuffinAndFidget · 27/11/2018 22:21

DS2 is nearly 3.5yo and I still sometimes wish I'd been brave enough to change his name when he was a newborn. I had a name that I felt was his, almost like he came with it, it was a really strong feeling. But DH wasn't keen and lots of family members said they disliked it (it wasn't a ridiculous name) and that I should let DH have a say too. So we went with one DH liked and I sort-of-liked, and I regretted it almost instantly.

Change it OP, it'll be too late before you know it!

category12 · 27/11/2018 22:21

Go, change it - have the other name as a middle name.

Blatantly lie and say she was always called Gertrude if challenged on it (cultivate a stony expression, look them in the eye and dare them to argue) Grin.

SirVixofVixHall · 27/11/2018 22:21

Oh I’ve just remembered someone else, but their child was about five, so that was odd and hard to remember. A baby is fine, if it doesn’t fit, then you don’t have to be stuck with it.

pallisers · 27/11/2018 22:23

Do it. It is only 8 weeks in. I know someone who did this at a similar age. No one remembers the first name. I think you will regret it if you don't.

You and your dh are the only ones who get an opinion on the name - not your family.

LearningToDrive · 27/11/2018 22:24

Do it! I changed DS's name at 4 months. You have a husband who is supportive, that all you need. 8 weeks is honestly nothing, and the sooner you do it, the easier it will be!

LearningToDrive · 27/11/2018 22:25

And I'd change it and tell your family afterwards so it's too late for them to argue!

DroningOn · 27/11/2018 22:25

100% change it. Now's definitely the tine

RhubarbTea · 27/11/2018 22:25

Do it do it do it!

Bouchie · 27/11/2018 22:25

I know two babies who changed names. No one judged and who cares if they do!

helpingvsdoinghomework · 27/11/2018 22:27

A v old friend of mine changed her DD name, i had no idea and have sent xmas cards for yrs with the incorrect name!! Whoops...

Wingingthis · 27/11/2018 22:27

Do it. I wish I did. Now my baby is 13 months and it’s too late :(

Perfectly1mperfect · 27/11/2018 22:29

If your only reason for not doing it is what people will think, that's not a good enough reason IMO. People might be a little shocked at first but give it a few weeks, it'll be like she was always called the new name. It's just a name, she's still the same little girl. Just do it.

Kahlua4me · 27/11/2018 22:29

Change it now. As others have said, your dd doesn’t know her name yet so it’s a good time to change it. Just be strong and explain that you have both decided that you definitely prefer your original choice and that it’s not up for discussion.

When we went to register DS for some unknown reason I changed his middle name and even though he is now a teenager I still regret changing it and wish I hadn’t. I can’t even remember changing it but definitely did as it is on his birth certificate! Dh says that as the registrar went to write his name down I stated the change which he just went along with. Must have been mad hormones or something!

TheDarkPassenger · 27/11/2018 22:30

I wouldn’t care nor judge but I personally wouldn’t do it.
It’s not the name it’s the identity (to me!) but different strokes different folks. I rarely judge people tbh

everybodypuuuuulllll · 27/11/2018 22:33

Just do it. I gave DD a middle name I didn't think through properly and every time she says it I feel regret and think "bloody hormones!".

She's too old to change it now, I wish I had done.

What would I think? It really doesn't matter! Your DD is going to have her name a lot longer than 8 weeks, give her the right one!

If you want to soften the blow, you could shuffle her current name over to be a middle name, and give her a new first name.

Then you just tell people - actually we've decided to call her Freya, that's her first name - Gertrude's her middle name now.

It's a nice interesting story for her when she's older, that she had another name for 8 weeks. And when she wants to rebel she can call herself Gertrude

GenericHamster · 27/11/2018 22:33

Please do it!

Swipe left for the next trending thread