Wanting to change DD's first name WIBU

[F1oridasunshine]

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.

Just start calling her Meadow, and if anyone asks, just say you prefer it!

It's totally up to you but I do think meadow is awful and I think in years to come the regret would sink in that you called a child meadow and went to the effort of doing it by deed poll and everything

15 weeks is nothing. Change it.

She can never hate Emily - whereas Meadow has the potential for her to be really pissed off at you in 30 years time

This is why we would keep Emily as her middle name, so later if she prefers she can still use it. We would also keep it because it was the first name we gave her so wouldn't want to drop it altogether anyway. I know it's not a name everyone likes, I appreciate that but still still value your opinions on whether it is too late to change it of not.

Emily is actually not used that often nowadays

We were at soft play with our DC yesterday, 3 sets of parents calling out Emily. It's a tiny soft play in a cafe. That's when DP brought up the subject of regretting not going with our preferred name.

I dont think we've looked at re-registering the birth, that's something we will do.

Please don’t call her Meadow. It’s a word not a name. She’ll have people telling her she’s full of bullshit. Please no.

Just go for it. Meadow is fine. Its the name of a character on some thing I watch and didn't strike me as particularly weird or unusual 😁

Do it! Shes only a few months old it's not like she knows what her name is yet

Other nice outdoorsy names for you to consider OP.
Field
Stick
Badger
Cloud
Grass

I seriously would stick with Emily.

I don't "Flouncy" - I do know a Summer, though (I'm sitting here thinking about Unusual Names for Girls I Have Encountered). There was one called "Maddison" (I think after that Mermaid in "Splash",) and there are a few Courtneys about now round here. I don't like either of those, personally. Oh - and I know a Holly!

However, when you think about it , why should "Elm" be any worse than Holly, Ivy or Myrtle? (I can see Why Horse Chestnut is a bit meh. Perhaps if it was hyphenated . . . )

I consider unusual spellings to be more irritating than unusual names ("Khristeena", anyone?)

Hormones are a big player in this, I wanted to call our son X but Y was a far less common name so was feeling we should go with that (less unusual).

We went with X and cried for weeks that it was the wrong choice.

Looking back I was all over the place. He is now 10 and suits his name.

Whatever you did can feel weird and there is always something new to worry about.

Autumn, Willow, Summer and Amber would have all stuck out when I was at school, but are main stream now.
I don’t think Meadow is all that different. I know a Moss and a Leaf . Children, not dogs.
Just call her Emily Meadow and use Meadow.

I can see Why Horse Chestnut is a bit meh. Perhaps if it was hyphenated

I'd go with Conker personally.

You don’t need a deed poll before 12 months. You can simply amend the entry in the register.

I love the name Meadow. And as for being ridiculed when she's older - really? People's names are changing all the time. I work with a Summer, a Cat (not a short for name - that's it!) and an Inigo - and that's in a really staid and traditional industry.

Call her the name that you love. What other people think is irrelevant.

what about "Ouze" or "Mersey"?

I have to admit, that if someone pulled a gun on me and forced me to give my daughter a river's name, I would choose Tamar (which is actually a very beautiful, Biblical name), Aline or Blythe.

Inigo

My word - that's a really old name - I wonder if it's coming back?

I can see Why Horse Chestnut is a bit meh. Perhaps if it was hyphenated

😂😂😂😂

Doesn’t matter if others like her name or not, DD is your daughter and it’s up to you and your DH. I would go ahead and change it if I were you. She is only a tiny baby. I think you can amend the birth certificate though instead of by deed poll.
The idea to keep Emily as a middle name is a good one because she can choose to go by that if she ends up not liking her name.
Both my DDs have rare, culturally significant names. They’ve never met anyone with their name. My DD18 loves having her name and it being so memorable.
Go with your gut. Having a rare name is good because it doesn’t come with any prejudice....the person makes the name.

I reckon in 30 years time names like Meadow and Apple will be more commonplace than names like Emily or Jane.

I agree.

And while I wouldn't choose it, I don't think it's dreadful either. I can think of worse girls' names than Meadow (Yes - I'm looking at YOU, Enid!

I think Meadow is fine. Not my personal style of name but I do rather like it. I’m not keen on Emily at all.

God awful name but not my business what You name your child.

Please there are children in the UK named after film characters, star wars names, plus a lot of children who were born here but their parents are from elsewhere, which is why my son sits next to Elvis and Sharon at secondary school. It is called acceptance, if we all called our children Oliver and Olivia which are the top UK names, then you constantly get Oliver P or Oliver AP which we have had when children have the same surname initial. We had 5 Isabelle/Isobel/Isabels in one year group at primary school.

I mean my friend called her child Alice but all I hear is Alice, Alice, Who The Fuck is Alice? There are so many songs with names in, especially girls, Lola anyone?

It doesn't matter what other people think, if you like the name then use it. Change it officially because to be a "known as" is a pain in the arse, I know because my parents did it to me.