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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wanting to change DD's first name WIBU

340 replies

F1oridasunshine · 20/10/2019 16:04

I've NC as this could be potentially outing if we go ahead with it.

Before DD was born me and DP had 2 names; Emily and Meadow. Meadow was by far our preferred name.

We were ridiculed for liking Meadow and told DD could get bullied so called DD Emily despite having reservations.

Although we like the name Emily, it is quite common. We did want something slightly different from a tradition name but thought the name would've grown on us by now but it hasn't and we both feel really disappointed we never stuck with our first choice.

We have discussed changing her name by deedpole to Meadow keeping Emily as a middle name.

Can I ask opinions on this? Are we being silly for considering this or should we just accept our choice and stick with Emily. I really want to change it but DP is worried about it now we have told friends and family her name.

So WWBU to change it?

DD is 15 wks old.

OP posts:
OkPedro · 21/10/2019 02:33

Pregnant people 🙄

Penelopeschat · 21/10/2019 02:43

I know a few people who changed baby’s names between birth and about age 2. Either legally or simply started using middle name. Better to change it now than regret it forever!

ControversialFerret · 21/10/2019 06:06

Pregnant people

You can say 'women' you know. It's allowed.

SimonJT · 21/10/2019 06:14

I think Meadow is a very nice name.

My sons name was completely changed about five months ago (when his adoption was finalised), but I had been using his new name for the past two years. His previous name was horrible, but it was also very very identifying.

It hasn’t caused any issues, he knows what his old name was and why it was changed. He also knows that I changed my surname so that we match.

crikeycrumbsblimey · 21/10/2019 06:32

If you don’t interview someone as they have an unusual name you are an idiot.

If you suggest that where I work (one of the oldest and most traditional English institutions) in a recruitment panel you wouldn’t sit on another.

Of course it’s okay for posh people to give their kids unusual names.

They aren’t for me but I wonder how many who say they wouldn’t be a barrister have ever been near that profession.

BustedDreams · 21/10/2019 06:41

I like both names but Emily Meadow flows of the tongue better than Meadow Emily ....

Good luck.

shinynewapple · 21/10/2019 06:50

OK well I don't really like Emily or Meadow - one a bit boring, one a bit 'out there'

But the two names together Emily Meadow sounds quite nice, she can go by her middle name Meadow now and has a choice later.

RuthW · 21/10/2019 07:18

I'm 51 so nothing to do with age. Meadow wouldn't be my first choice but Emily is just awful. 20% of the girls in dd's year at school were called Emily. Personally I'd change her name to Emily Meadow and use Meadow all the time.

Matereality · 21/10/2019 07:30

I like Meadow! Another vote for Emily Meadow, goes by Meadow, so that she has a choice later on.

SubmersibleSandwich · 21/10/2019 07:33

Meadow is a ridiculous name. Just leave it. A less common name doesn't make someone more special.

OatyGoaty · 21/10/2019 07:35

Who are these people who don't picture a nice sunny meadow and can only think about cow pats Confused?

I think it's nice OP.

CatteStreet · 21/10/2019 07:36

For me, this isn't about the whole 'high court judge' or 'bullying at school' thing (I am always a bit Hmm when people on here suggest a child shouldn't be allowed to follow their instincts/likes re appearance, toys etc because 'they'll be bullied fior it', seems to me to be risking raising a generation of conformists). It's about how this child will feel 'wearing' her name. Meadow is very strongly suggestive of a 'type', and if this child isn't actually that 'type' at all she may be rather miserable about her name. Giving it as a middle name gives her an option to change it later on - if she wants to. A (first) name that is recognisable as such (be that Emily or - to take an example of a name that isn't at all popular right now - Daphne) is, I think, the fair choice for a child.

Happymum12345 · 21/10/2019 07:48

Meadow is a beautiful name. We have a meadow at the end of our garden & the sunsets there among the trees are stunning. The way the mist rises is also very special.

RandomTunesRock · 21/10/2019 08:25

What has shocked me about this thread is that posters think Meadow is 'out there' or a weird wacky name. It's been used for years as a name. Not as popular as the millions of Lily-Mays/Roses, but surely that's not a bad thing.

Ozgirl75 · 21/10/2019 08:26

This is so classist of me, but Meadow said in an RP, quite posh voice, sounds ok, but meadow in a cockney accent or Estuary English sounds appalling.

Decadoma · 21/10/2019 09:12

For starters ignore peoples views on the name - if we all liked the same names the world would be very boring! - if you want it go for it as she is young enough.

ethelfleda · 21/10/2019 09:17

This is so classist of me, but Meadow said in an RP, quite posh voice, sounds ok, but meadow in a cockney accent or Estuary English sounds appalling

There you go then, OP - only change the name if you’re posh enough to carry it off Wink

NoSauce · 21/10/2019 09:19

Meadow in a Leeds accent would be bad tbf.

JustDanceAddict · 21/10/2019 09:20

Don’t do it, use it as a nickname if you must. She’ll thank you when she’s older!

chemicalelephant · 21/10/2019 09:20

Meadow is a great name. Change it if you want to.

Meadow is not a name.
It's a field cows eat and poo in.

Dawn is not a name, it's when the sun comes up.
Daisy is not a name, it's a flower that grows in meadows.
Bill is not a name, it's something you pay.
Mark is not a name, it's a stain on clothes.

Etc etc

Words can have more than one meaning/use. Who'd have thought it.

ThighThighOfthigh · 21/10/2019 09:33

I like Meadow - but could you just use it as a nn? Plenty of people get a family nn that sticks with them for life - normally Binky or Bubba but ykwim.

InfiniteCurve · 21/10/2019 09:39

In defence of older posters I posted upthread saying yes,go for it - I'm 60 so probably on the older end of the posting range. Meadow is fine,I have seen lots of children in the past at work and Meadow as a name wouldn't even have raised an eyebrow in the unusual name stakes!

Highfivemum · 21/10/2019 09:42

Change her name if you prefer it. Do it now before it is too late. Don’t change it for the wrong reasons though. ( it’s more common than Emily) as when I was at mum and tots last week there were two meadows and no Emily’s. Also when I was at anti natal a spoke to a mum who said if it was a girl she was calling her meadow. So you may end up with the top used name of the year.
Good luck and congrats on ur little girl.

Rainbowknickers · 21/10/2019 09:46

My mil’s real name is Anne
Her mum chose Anne Lucy-waited a few weeks,decided she hated Anne so called her Lucy but didn’t change her bc
It’s caused no end of confusion over the years cos she has to go by Anne in certain official situations (like jobs etc)
She says it’s a pain having to explain the whole Anne/Lucy saga
Just change it to what you want to call her and ignore any raised eyebrows
(I called one of mine an unusual name and ignored any raised eyebrows-I was using my child’s name everyday-not them-it’s nothing to do with anyone else)
Good luck!

Sootyandsweep2019 · 21/10/2019 09:49

OP, I don't normally comment on these threads, but Meadow I'd absolutely beautiful. Unusual without being ridiculous, and just a very pretty name. Whilst Emily is nice to, I would change by deed poll to Meadow Emily. Your keeping Emily as a legal middle name, so she can always use that if she prefers in later life .

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