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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:
RandomTunesRock · 20/10/2019 17:25

I agree with @SchadenfreudePersonified there are far worse names. Anyway Meadow isn't exactly out there is it. Always makes me think of the Sopranos and that was years ago.

May84 · 20/10/2019 17:26

I think Meadow is a beautiful name, but so is Emily.

I always have liked names that you can shorten/nickname- my fave names for my daughter were Pearl and Primrose, but I went with a much more traditional name as I hated the thought of her being nicknamed Prim and you can't shorten Pearl.

So would you be happy if people called her Med?! Because they would 😂

PlasticPatty · 20/10/2019 17:26

Meadow. It's like 'Brooklyn' isn't it? The place where she was conceived.

Original poster
F1oridasunshine · 20/10/2019 17:26

But why ask for other opinions if you are already decided?

Although it's something I would like to do we hadn't decided. We didnt know whether it was too late to change her name. DP still isnt sure and that's ok. I dont dislike the name Emily, I think it's a really soft pretty name (which was why it was also on our list of names) and it wouldn't be the end of the world if DP decided he didnt want to go ahead and change it.

OP posts:
InfiniteSheldon · 20/10/2019 17:26

Meadow is lovely change it now and learn to trust yourself

Pcosmama · 20/10/2019 17:27

Change it now while she's young. Either Emily Meadow or Meadow Emily and then she can choose when she's older. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of the name but fwiw I like meadow.

TeacupDrama · 20/10/2019 17:28

taken from gingerbread site probably only true in England

"Amending a child’s first name

You can change a child’s first name on their birth certificate in the following circumstances:

If your child was baptised within 12 months of the birth being registered and given a baptismal name. If your child was baptised in a Christian church the vicar or minister of the church needs to complete a certificate of name given in baptism form. They may charge you for this.
If a different first name was given and regularly used within 12 months of the birth being registered. You will need to complete a certificate of name not given in baptism form.
Forms are available from your local register office or www.gov.uk.

Completed forms should be sent to the original registry office. You must be the mother, father or legal guardian of the child to make the change.

You can only make changes to a child’s first name once; any further changes cannot be recorded on the birth certificate."

Justaboy · 20/10/2019 17:28

Lovely name bit unusual it willbe rounded to "med" I reckon which is fine and its very memorable.

DD3 has a similer name she just gets called "M"!

That acttress "Tuppence" Middleton very memorable for her name dontcha tink:)

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 20/10/2019 17:29

I think Meadow is really awful - next it will be Field, Butterfly, Wasp, Lamb, Grass, Flowerbed, Duckpond or Caterpillar!

FatherB · 20/10/2019 17:30

I like the name Meadow personally, when you post on these sites you have to remember that specific groups of people frequent them. Post an article on facebook, mumsnet and reddit and you'll have completely different responses to it, and different interpretations.

What i'm trying to say is if you like the name, then change it. There are weirder names out there, and there's not going to be a better opportunity to do it.

Even if you decide to keep Emily, you should still make Meadow her middle name. That way you have options and can give her choices later on too.

StarShapedWindow · 20/10/2019 17:30

I like the name meadow, there’s no reason it wouldn’t suit an older woman. I’d hate to have a name that was popular far more than having an unusual name.

Maltybiscuit · 20/10/2019 17:30

Here's hoping your surname isn't Hall!
Confused

Andysbestadventure · 20/10/2019 17:31

'Meadow'? People wont think of green grass and pretty flowers... They will think of cows churning cud and butter.

Christ.

flouncyfanny · 20/10/2019 17:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moofolk · 20/10/2019 17:35
  • If you want to change it, do it now. I might be wrong, but if a baby is under a year old isn't it possible to get an amendment to the birth certificate?

If Meadow is already her middle name just call her that. I go by my middle name, lots of people do.*

This is exactly what I was going to say. I'm sure you can reregister up to one year.

I know you said meadow isn't her but middle name but could be. If you are worried about it being a 'weird' name (which is is but imo that is an observation not a value judgement) then go for Emily with Meadow as middle name, which she goes by.

School etc will call her meadow but she still has the option to be Emily on passport & job applications when older.

Digitalash · 20/10/2019 17:37

Meadow makes me think of cow shit Sad

applesandacorns · 20/10/2019 17:38

To me, Meadow is a pretty name. I think it's pretty tame compared to ones like Khaleesi, Ocean, etc.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 20/10/2019 17:39

I like Meadow. Go with that.

CravingCheese · 20/10/2019 17:39

I think 15 weeks is a time where you could still get away with changing it.

So yes, if both of you really are unhappy...

Is meadow her middle name? Just asking because many people do indeed go by their middle names. So an official change may not necessarily be required..?

FizzyGreenWater · 20/10/2019 17:40

Well Meadow wouldn't be my choice, but Emily is boring as hell!

Plus - it's not the name you wanted.

At 3 months, ffs you can absolutely change it - 'she recognises it' - well maybe she does a bit but it will make NO difference at all, she will have no memory of it!

I don't buy the 'it's not a serious name' stuff either - plenty of people with out there names doing well in all sorts of ways. And Meadow isn't bad in that sense - it's unusual, not stupid.

Quite like it really.

At 15 weeks I would absolutely change it if you both want to.

Mia184 · 20/10/2019 17:41

Can't you change the name to Emily Meadow? Your daughter might want to be called Emily one day when she is at school.
I am German and my first name is English (my parents are German) and luckily my mother insisted on me being called by my second - German - name. I am glad she did; I would have absolutely hated having an unusual name - as a child, you want to belong and not stand out.

quincejamplease · 20/10/2019 17:43

If you're going to change what you call her then do it officially. As a pp said having a "known as" name is a pain in the arse. (And some people, probably the ones on this thread getting uppity about Meadow not being a proper name, will get arsey and refuse to use anything other than her official name.)

I'm not that keen on Emily. I find it a bit dull. Meadow is fine.

Even as an adult. Once you know the person you don't think about what their name means. Most people have more important things to focus on.

Just because our culture's naming convention is that we have separate words we set aside as names only (which usually still have meanings because they're derivations from other words anyway!), doesn't mean you can't use everyday words! Other cultures name children that way.

I do not see what all the outrage is about.

NewName73 · 20/10/2019 17:43

Are you big fans of the Sopranos?

Faultymain5 · 20/10/2019 17:49

I'd rather hire a Meadow, than the 50th Emily. Always have the name you want. If she hates it so much, she can change it when she is older.

aliensprig · 20/10/2019 17:50

Some posters on this thread really showing their age with all the hate for Meadow...

It's a gorgeous name, on our list of potentials if we have a girl. Go for it, and keep Emily as a middle name to appease the haters Grin