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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:
Heartofglass12345 · 27/11/2018 22:37

Please do it, she's your daughter! My SIL didn't name her son for about 6 weeks lol. Just do it, and send a text to your family saying 'we've changed our daughters name to ......... so would appreciate it if you called her by that from now on. Thanks! And ignore any calls or texts after that Smile

Sweetnhappy1 · 27/11/2018 22:37

8 weeks is nothing, go ahead and change it. In India, babies don't have to be registered so early so they are often given nicknames to begin with, some of them don't have an official name registered until they start school!

FranciscoGoya · 27/11/2018 22:37

I wouldn't really give it a second thought tbh

snop · 27/11/2018 22:38

I went with dp choice of name, my mum had passed away only weeks before so I wasn't in a good place when dd was born. Dd has a very unusual name and has since about aged six has always hated her name. I regretted letting dp name her. She is now 15 and tells me all the time she wishes we had called her by the other name we had picked out. If I was you I would change it given the chance.

ILoveTreesInAutumn · 27/11/2018 22:40

wingingthis. it’s not too late! Change it now, use them together a bit, drop the old name, he’ll never remember the old name unless you want him to and if you keep talking about it. Yes he ‘knows’ it’s his name, but he has no real concept of it and he’ll soon react exactly the same to his new name.

Do it now before he gets any older.

Finch. You need to tell us the names. Your family might have a point if it’s Ermantrude.

...change it. She’s your DD, your DH is happy to do it, so do it! TELL your family it’s done and that you’re not going to discuss it. They’ll accept it soon enough.

Chocolate50 · 27/11/2018 22:42

I did this with one of mine at 6 weeks, its up to you, I don't think there was any problem at all with anyone, just say you thought it didn't suit her or him then just re register the name,

WhereYouLeftIt · 27/11/2018 22:46

Do it. No judgement from me. You got bounced into a name you didn't like at a vulnerable time. You've realised it was a mistake, and now you're going to correct it.

"DH says we should do it, but I really don't know what kind of ground I'm standing on here."
Great, you both want the same thing. And the ground is rock solid.

(PS: practice telling your family to bog off. Because they really do need to bog off.)

BonnieandHyde · 27/11/2018 22:47

I'd say read the 3637 threads with the same title in the past few weeks. No one cares if you change baby's name. It's your choice.

Messalena · 27/11/2018 22:50

Do it!

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if someone I knew did this, nor would it be any of my business!

maddiemookins16mum · 27/11/2018 22:50

I’d think it odd BUT by the time Gertrude was 1 year old I’d have long forgotten anyway.

Mumofaprinny · 27/11/2018 22:51

Would not judge. Do it! You will feel so much better after it and will feel more in control. Tell everyone when it’s done and just explain that you didn’t like the name in the first place and that your glad you came to your senses.🙂

SnowyPaws5 · 27/11/2018 22:51

Change it! From posters on here who have been in similar situations, changing the name has been the best decision. I know of someone IRL who had her name changed; I assume it was because the original name was quite 'out there' and her parents regretted it.

Please tell us the names. I am very interested!

Beeziekn33ze · 27/11/2018 22:52

OP Baby is tiny, you and DS are in agreement, just do it! You'll be so glad when it's done! Family may have some shock, horror for a while but so what? They'll soon get over it.
Snop Your 15 year old might consider using a name she prefers when she goes to college or university. I know several friends' children who have, in their teens, said they are using their middle name or a completely new name.

seventhgonickname · 27/11/2018 22:54

If you OH is with you then do it.Your baby your choice.

sonandhelpneeded · 27/11/2018 22:54

8 weeks! You want to change her name? She's learnt to spell it, practised her signature, known by all her friends by this name.....

Oh none of these! Change it!

She'll also love the story...

AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy · 27/11/2018 22:56

Do it. It’s for life, pretty much. I detest my name and to add insult to injury I got it “second hand”. My older sister by 18 months had my name. My mum changed her mind and she was renamed. Then, 18 months later I came along. My mum was really poorly and I was named by my auntie. Apparently, she thought my sister’s ex name would be fine 😐

BikeRunSki · 27/11/2018 23:01

Just do it. I wouldn’t judge you, I know 3 people who have done similar.

sonandhelpneeded · 27/11/2018 23:01

@AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy now that's a story...... Grin

AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy · 27/11/2018 23:03

sonand bloody great isn’t it?

seven201 · 27/11/2018 23:07

Change the name!

Birdie6 · 28/11/2018 03:50

Do it. There are no social implications.

I work in an aged care facility - you'd be amazed at how many people have a really horrible "real" name but call themselves by another name. And if you ask about it, they'll say that they hated their name and have always used the other name. Changing your baby's name at 8 weeks is nothing - she'll thank you for it when you tell her the story !

ThriftyMcThrifty · 28/11/2018 04:24

My cousin did this and just made the original name a bonus middle name. Do it! It made her much happier.

Monty27 · 28/11/2018 04:27

Do it and register it Smile

ItsalmostSummer · 28/11/2018 04:31

Do it. I did after 6 months.

NameChangeToAvoidBeingFound · 28/11/2018 04:49

Do it, my mother often comments on how much she and my dad dislikes my name and my middle names (my sisters dislike it so much they have only ever called me by different nicknames). They're very normal and traditional/biblical family names, while my sisters all have unusual names that my parents really considered and means something to them. Mine was picked in a panic when they couldn't decide what to call me but needed to name me before they brought me home. I suit my name somewhat now, but it does sting when she says my name and then comments on how she doesn't like it and wishes she'd chosen the name she'd wanted.

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