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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:
CurlyTwirlyTwos · 28/11/2018 04:59

Definitely change her name if you are unhappy with it! 8 weeks is no time at all!

We didn’t name DD for 6 weeks it drove everyone crazy, but who cares. I’m glad I didn’t get pressured into anything, this would have definitely been me.

Change it....everyone will get used to it before long!

Suresurelah · 28/11/2018 05:13

Change it and sod anyone that has an issue with it.

DameSquashalot · 28/11/2018 08:06

I would absolutely do it

TeachesOfPeaches · 28/11/2018 08:08

I chose a name my family hated but they are all used to it now

brizzledrizzle · 28/11/2018 08:15

Change it; she's going to have the name for a long time and you can always have the original name as her middle name.
What does your DH think?

loveskaka · 28/11/2018 08:20

Dnt worry about everybody else she's not their daughter. X

loveskaka · 28/11/2018 08:25

There is going to be a lot of decisions your going to make for your dd that a lot of people will have something to say about, people love to poke their noses in. At the end of the day she's yours and your the one left to deal with it. X

BunsOfAnarchy · 28/11/2018 08:28

Do it! Mum and dad changed my brothers at 9 years old. No one has called him by his old name in literally 20 years.

YADNBU. Im surprised this isnt more common. In the haze of post birth anf psychedelic hormones still swimming around, its only about a good 6 weeks later that you feel normal enough to make a decision on a name. Too bad by then baby has already been named.

Do it!

LipstickTraces · 28/11/2018 08:32

Change it!

If/when you have another I would advise not telling a soul the name until baby arrives. I did that with my twins because I didn’t want people giving their opinions.

AjasLipstick · 28/11/2018 08:34

My friend did. She has no regrets!

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 28/11/2018 08:44

I did it at 6 weeks and laughed off people's surprise. They quickly forgot about it and used her new name within a couple of weeks. If you want to do it, now is the time.

Huntlybyelection · 28/11/2018 09:14

Do it.
And if anyone says "I thought you named her Sally" just shrug it off with "no, her name is Jessica". You don't need to explain why or go into details. With anyone.

Or with your family just tell them she looks like a Patricia, not Denise.

Sowhatifidosnore · 28/11/2018 09:18

Do it! And sort the paperwork ASAP. Forget everyone else.

scooby01 · 28/11/2018 11:30

If you feel that strongly about it, then change it. When you are calling them by their name multiple times a day you have to like it. My H and I couldn’t agree on a name for our middle one for a while and in the end let him have his choice despite mine being a family name. I didn’t hate but much preferred my choice and regularly wished I’d stood my ground. Luckily we had a surprise number 3 and this time put my foot down from the start and got my name choice and it really suits him x

MamaDane · 28/11/2018 11:55

I think changing it in the first 6 months is fine honestly. You will probably get opinions from people though and it will be a pain. But eh years from now it'll be the only name ever right for her. Don't sweat it

RangeRider · 28/11/2018 12:01

Provided that the new name doesn't result in dodgy initials, a dodgy sounding name, unfortunate nicknames, associations with people that you'd rather not, or a name that isn't easy to spell (trust me, it gets very wearing having to constantly spell your name out) then go for it. Do it and then tell people. And when your family comment say 'it's done now' and change the subject.

BrownEyedBiscuit2716 · 28/11/2018 12:40

If your husband wants the same name, then change it! Sod everyone else! We kept my son's name a secret until he was born, as everyone shot us down on every other name we liked! Everyone loves his name, and even if they don't, it's not their problem! You are the parents, it's up to you! x

PazRaz10 · 28/11/2018 12:47

My friend renamed her child at 3 months. It took a little while to get used to remembering, but 3 years on it's only this thread that reminded me she'd done it!

Itwasatuesday · 28/11/2018 12:51

First born was called Nathaniel for first 3 months but he just didn't suit it. Changed it and thought we'd told everyone but still got cards to Nathan from distant relatives until he was about 3! Other DC we deliberate aired to name them, just to be sure. None suffered any lasting affects!

Kindlethefourth · 28/11/2018 18:09

Do it. You will regret not doing it. I would love to change DD 2s middle name officially . Immediately regretted not giving her my Nanna's name as her middle name-had been put off it by DH saying it gave her a name with too many 'd' consonants. Led to us parked with 3 year old DD1 and newborn outside registry office with hormonal me crying because I didn't like the middle name, DD1 crying as she liked it. Baby crying because that's what they do and DH saying 'call her whatever you like I don't mind'. As a result DD2 has two middle names. I would love to officially remove it but she quite likes the story and middle names don't matter too much IMO but had it been her first name I would have changed it. What everyone else things does not matter!

Sunisshining5346 · 28/11/2018 18:15

Change it! You will regret it if you don't.. just let family/friends off if they forgot the first couple of times they see your baby and call the baby it's old name. But it won't take long before people completely forgot the old name!

Baking101 · 28/11/2018 18:27

Change it. You don't like it and you'll regret it if you dont.

But I have a feeling your family will be harder to convince. They seem a bit controlling.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 28/11/2018 18:35

My sister is 35 and my mum still bangs on about how she regrets her chosen name and wishes she'd gone with another (horse has kind of bolted on that one...) So yes, I would change it.

waterrat · 28/11/2018 18:36

I know two people who did it it's normal !
I wouldn't think twice about it and it doesn't matter what other people think anyway.

Dangit · 28/11/2018 20:05

Change it defo, you’ve got to know your baby now and you know your first choice was right for her xx