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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:
Original poster
finchwoman · 28/11/2018 21:12

Oh wow, it's sorted then! This might sound a bit silly but I'm overwhelmed at how positive the replies have been, I thought I'd for sure get a few of you saying this is extremely stupid or odd or something of the sort, lol (FTR I don't mind hearing that of course, but I'm just surprised that the reaction from you all is mostly what it was!) :)

DH says "F*ck what people think, not their life nor their child" but I'm a bit too insecure to think that right out of the gate, but eh, he's right. Life's too short, I made a mistake, and I'm going to own up to it and be proud that I've had the resolve to fix it. I love calling DD by the name I always wanted, it fills me with a bright and sunny feeling of joy instead of feeling like I'm calling an apple a guava all day long while cringing like I've just stepped on a tack (sorry about the stupid analogy, best way I can describe how it feels!)

I suppose my only fear is that my DD would have wished I didn't do this or would have preferred the original name, but I have to keep on reminding myself I'm not perfect and I did the best I could.

I really enjoyed reading all the replies, especially those of who have renamed a child or have known someone who has! I'll keep checking the thread and would love to continue chatting. I'm fascinated to hear that this seems to be quite common and I love to hear all the stories. I had seen an odd thread or two like this here but I felt quite isolated, not so much anymore.

And this is why I love Mumsnet :)

OP posts:
c0wgirl · 28/11/2018 21:24

Change it!!! She is your daughter! Who cares what anyone else thinks!!!

drspouse · 28/11/2018 21:27

My DS was "baby" till about 4-5 months. Just change it but tell us!

Balaboosteh · 28/11/2018 21:37

I know people that changed the children’s names. It happens. Just do it, it’s fine and you’ll be happier.

Original poster
finchwoman · 28/11/2018 22:09

Also, sod it. I've gotten some great, unbiased replies and it's not as if telling you the names is going to oust me on a random Internet thread.

Putting special characters in so Google doesn't immortalise my kid's FN and MN in search results for all of eternity lol. The original name was Gl0ria Celeste and the one I loved that supposedly is "horrid" (eyeroll) is Hann@h Celeste.

And you know what, I think they're both lovely names but I fell head over heels in love with Hannah (and Celeste) the moment I imagined them on my lovely DD.

OP posts:
AjasLipstick · 28/11/2018 22:11

Hannah is much more lovely than Gloria.....Gloria Celeste is a bit TOO angelic really.

Hannah is a gorgeous and classic name.

Snooky1 · 28/11/2018 22:13

I was totally in your situation a couple of months ago. I was so distressed I remember dropping my older dd at nursery pulling in to a local parks car park and crying for over an hour about this. Do not think you are daft. I really had nowhere to turn my dh had had enough of my crying and said do what you f***g well like. My family were not in a position to help.
The best advice I found online was spend a couple of weeks at home calling her the name you prefer see how it sounds then tell close friends and family to help you do the same see how it feels then if it feels right calling her the other name change it. Honestly it really worked for me and I am happy with the my decision (stuff what others think).

Beebee8 · 28/11/2018 22:15

Beautiful name!

Catsize · 28/11/2018 22:17

Hannah is much more lovely than Gloria.....Gloria Celeste is a bit TOO angelic really.

Agree. Go for it OP.

Piggyhoolier · 28/11/2018 22:20

Ah that’s a pretty name, congratulations on your daughter OP and change away. Can’t understand why your family were so mean about your choice but no matter, it’s easily fixed and they will probably grow to love the new name too.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 28/11/2018 22:26

I do like Gloria OP but it's always going to be a marmite name imo.

Hannah is a safer bet and very nice too.

Hezz · 28/11/2018 22:28

I love the name Glor ia but know it's marmite.

Hann@h is lovely

MamaRaisingBoys · 28/11/2018 22:29

Do it! Hannah is a gorgeous name, much nicer than Gloria IMO

c0wgirl · 28/11/2018 22:31

Hannah is a lovely name and imo much nicer than gloria xx

Willthisdoo · 28/11/2018 22:32

Hannah Celeste is beautiful. Do it!

Willthisdoo · 28/11/2018 22:32

(Also, it’s no one’s decision but yours and your DH’s. Xx)

Sakura7 · 28/11/2018 22:39

Also agree Hannah is lovely, and there's no reason not to change it at this young age. As PPs have said, just tell people she didn't really suit Gloria.

Every name will have people who love it and hate it, but you have to go with what feels right for you.

SnowyPaws5 · 28/11/2018 22:41

Gloria is nice but I understand that a lot of people will find it horrible.

Hannah Celeste sounds lovely. Go for it OP.

AllTakenSoRubbishUsername · 28/11/2018 22:50

8 weeks old is so so tiny, they have no idea what their name is. You got railroaded into not having the name you wanted - bloody change it to the one you love! Your baby will love that the name was a much wanted one and will carry more significance. It might be a bit of a faff but it's only paperwork after all. Do it!

AllTakenSoRubbishUsername · 28/11/2018 22:52

PS agree that Hannah Celeste sounds nicer. Gloria Celeste sounds a bit double denim given the similar meanings.

slappinthebass · 28/11/2018 23:00

Do it. I've known three people do it and I only thought good for them.

loosenknot · 28/11/2018 23:02

My mum changed my name when I was four.
That was a bit late.
It took me till secondary school to feel at one with it.

slappinthebass · 28/11/2018 23:08

Oh and she probably will prefer the other name. Don't we all prefer the name our parents considered?! I wouldn't expect any less! Just a right of passage.

BlueRose28 · 28/11/2018 23:15

Love love love the name Hannah Celeste! Gloria Celeste, although a lovely name, I think is quite outdated. Hannah is a much nicer name and sounds like it's made to be paired with Celeste. Definitely change it! Thanks

Iloveautumnleaves · 28/11/2018 23:21

Why don’t your family like Hannah?

Irrespective of what the names are though, you’re doing the right thing. Start calling her Hannah from this very moment on & donit officially ASAP. You don’t need to wait, you know you love it.