Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Jumble567 · 20/10/2019 17:50

I absolutely love the name Meadow - it’s so pretty! I haven’t heard it before! I definitely would have considered that as a name for my girls if I had thought of it when we were thinking of names!

The solution seems simple - just add it in as a middle name (an additional one if she already has one - lots of people have more than one - my children all do) and call her by it. That way she has a more traditional name for job applications etc and can chose to use that when she is older if she wants to but can be known as Meadow most of the time.

Both of my girls have names that no-one else has (very, very old names - not at all fashionable ones) - they are easy to spell ones (don’t like alternative spellings of names) but no-one has ever questioned or commented other than “that’s pretty”. It’s no-one else’s business. They have more conventional middle names, so can choose to use those when older if they wish to but so far (mid-teenage years) they haven’t ever thought about it and seem perfectly happy being unique amongst all the Chloe’s and Imogen’s that seem to be everywhere.

So I would definitely go with Meadow - let her be unique! If it is how you think of her in your head then call her it!!

Dahlietta · 20/10/2019 17:51

I'm not sure the OP was asking for opinions on Meadow so much as on whether it's too late to change the name of her baby. I don't think it is. I know someone who changed their baby's name at a couple of months old. We all chuckled a bit, but we used her new name and never think of the original one now, a few months later. FWIW I don't mind Meadow - makes me think of the Sopranos too - but that doesn't really matter. You clearly prefer it, so I would go for it.

EdWinchester · 20/10/2019 17:52

Meadow as a name is an abomination. Keep Emily.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 20/10/2019 17:53

I’d add it as a middle name but wouldn’t use it as a first name as it sounds like a nickname. If she wants a serious career, Emily is timeless compared to Meadow.

FineWordsForAPorcupine · 20/10/2019 17:54

I don't think you need to worry about her "recognising" her name - babies that age don't really have a sense of self yet and anyway, most babies I know get called a variety of nicknames, diminutives and endearments all the time, and they don't seem confused or distressed by it.

Change her name if you want, OP. Personally, I have a bit of a gripe about how girls names are chosen to be soft, pretty, fanciful or cute, and boys names to be strong, serious, impressive or active but that's a different drum for a different day :)

RoseDog · 20/10/2019 17:55

I have never heard Meadow used as a name until we got our current Staffordshire Bull Terrier a few months ago and that is her Kennel Club registered name Shock she does not go by that name though!

Babynut1 · 20/10/2019 17:57

Meadow 😂
Bloody awful! I’d be mortified if my mother had called me that! Sorry op, it’s dreadful

Isitnearlyweekend · 20/10/2019 17:57

Why don’t you leave her name as it is and just call her Meadow. My son is called Thomas Samuel. He’s always actually been known as Tom but our family name for him is Sammy.

ScreamingLadySutch · 20/10/2019 18:02

My DS is called by his second name.

Every time he had a chance to change his name to his first given name (new school, university etc), he stuck to his given name.

You don't have to deed poll anything OP, just call her the name you prefer.

LovePoppy · 20/10/2019 18:03

Do it

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/10/2019 18:04

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

God yes, is there anything worse than older women with opinions?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 20/10/2019 18:04

Always makes me think of the Sopranos and that was years ago.

I knew I'd heard it somewhere before Random - wondered where it was. The Sopranos, of course!

DC3dilemma · 20/10/2019 18:04

I think Meadow is lovely OP. Look at re-registering the birth as Emily Meadow, or Meadow Emily, call her Meadow and leave it up to her which she uses when older. I think 15 weeks is still perfectly reasonable to do this.

Amimissingsomethinghere · 20/10/2019 18:07

Congrats on the birth op!

So sorry but I really don't think I would go with Meadow. Emily is lovely and classic.

cyclingmad · 20/10/2019 18:09

I know someone at wrok whose first name is 'Princess'; no lie. I had to double check to make sure I was seeing things right.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 20/10/2019 18:10

It's NOT an abomination!

In fact - the more I see it, the more I like it!

I expect it's what you're used to.

elizalovelace · 20/10/2019 18:10

All the Meadows around this way are full of cow shit, this is all I can think off when thinking of a Meadow! Stick with Emily.

Ginger1982 · 20/10/2019 18:13

I would have changed my name as an adult if my folks had called me Meadow. Sorry, I think it's awful.

Warpdrive · 20/10/2019 18:14

OP I was that baby who was given one name, but parents started using another preferred name after a few weeks.
Except they didnt change it officially. Its caused no end of issues for me, all official records are in a name i dont identify with.
Anyway, if you change her name, please do it officially. Go back to the registry office and they will sort it for you. no need for deedpoll.

Devonishome1 · 20/10/2019 18:17

I like the name Emily but not meadow. I think of cows in a meadow.

SD1978 · 20/10/2019 18:18

I understand you like it, and you're entitled to. But your daughter is the one that will have to live with it. Can you make it a middle name. But use it as her name? Then gives her the choice when she's older if she wants to be an adult meadow or would prefer to be an Emily.

83maddog83 · 20/10/2019 18:18

My son has a friend called Meadow. She has never been teased about it, it doesn't get shortened and it really suits her. She is almost 10. If you love it, go for it and don't worry about other peoples opinions.

CravingCheese · 20/10/2019 18:19

How about Emily Meadow called Meadow? It is a very sweet name imo. But I'm not sure it's a particularly 'grown up' name tbh....

Odetocherry · 20/10/2019 18:21

Do it! Change it.

I regret not changing DD name and now it's too late.

NearlyGranny · 20/10/2019 18:21

So many people opining on the names rather than the practicalities of changing them - quite rude.

'Nature' names have been around for ages. The Storm I taught must be in his 50s by now and the Sky and Cloud in their 30s. I like the idea of keeping the more conventional name as a middle name but I would say 'Emily Meadow' sounds too much like a Wainhomes development (register your interest now - show home open Thursday to Sunday!) for comfort.

Have the courage of your convictions, establish the names you choose in the order you plan to use them and ignore the scoffers.

And if you don't want shortened versions, squash them. DD2 (a young adult) has a 3 syllable name (think Isobel, though it isn't) and nobody calls her by the Izzie or Bella like forms. She wouldn't look round.