Wanting to change DD2s name as no one else seems to likely

[TeddyBares]

I hate posting this, DD2 is 8 weeks old, she’s perfect but I’m super sleep deprived so probably extra sensitive.
DD1 is 2 when she was born everyone complimented her name, and even know still do.
DD2 gets a mix of aw lovely to just down right to “oh like the fabric softener (more so over text than in person)” it’s making me really sad. Today we went out for lunch and the waitress asked their names told her and she went gosh that’s a gorgeous name in reference to DD1s but nothing about DD2s.
Im thinking we should just change it? I live her name and always imagined having a little girl with the name but wouldn’t want her to feel like her name is ugly or hate her name (I don’t like my name and get some annoying comments so wouldn’t want that). DH thinks I’m being silly and we live her name so that’s all that matters.
AIBU wanting to change it?
Her name is Leonora as I know people will be curious.

Both lovely names though I'm especially taken with Leonora!

Please don't change her name.

I knew it was going to be Lenor / Leonora as I read your post before I got to the name. I don’t think you should change it but I do think you (and her in time) need to get used to that association as it will likely happen more.

Both lovely, but Leonora is actually much more interesting than Annabel - and I think more beautiful. You didn’t choose names to please other people though, or to validate you as a person, so why would you change it if you love it?

I absolutely love the name Leonora, (& India!). Maybe people aren't pronouncing it properly if they think it is like Lenor?! In my mind, it is pronounced Lee-o-nora?

I would keep it. It goes really well with Annabelle too I think.

Leonora is a nice name. So is Ariel (which I would associate with Shakespeare's The Tempest rather than washing powder). Anyone who confuses it with Lenor needs to have either their hearing or their cognitive function tested. It will inevitably get shortened to Nora or Leo anyway.

I like Leonora much more than I like Annabel and think your "friends" are ignorant and rude for their comment when it's not even the same same word and doesn't start or finish with the same sound. I would tell them so.

Strangely my daughter was telling me just last night about a girl at school called, Leonora. Both my husband and I said what a lovely name (if I had any intention of more DDs, it would be on THE LIST).

I like your name best Op!

Some people just like to think that they are witty or superior don't they when in fact they are just (imo) rude/nasty.

Leonora is not remotely controversial. It's a beautiful name.

I don’t know how many more Annabels, Amelies, or names in general beginning with an A we need! I much prefer Leonora and have a cousin with this name.

Annabel will simply be more familiar to people as a name but also because the sound is more popular in other names such as Anna, Isabel etc.

The only reason why you might not be getting as many positive comments this time is because Leonora is more unusual and because some people will be aware of making sure your eldest isn't feeling left out.

I love those names together xx

I prefer dd2 name! I think it is a beautiful, strong name. When she is older she has an option to be a Leo or a Lenni or a Lonni or all sorts of other random nicknames. Annabel and Annabella are getting quite overused - loads in our schools - so if it was me I’d be pretty happy in DD2 shoes!

I think it’s a lovely name. My DD is 10 weeks and I’ve had mixed comments about her name. I don’t care because I love her name hence the reason we named her it.

It’s not a name from either here or my home country but it encompasses our shared loves and interest. Only one person in the family (DH’s side) recognised it and gave a history lesson. Both sides call her by her name and my parents sing her name along with various little sweet nicknames that involve it (nicknames are a tradition on my dad’s side).

The comments I’ve had mixed here have been a bit more rude even though said in a polite tone than I’ve heard in my home country, but I chalk it up to “not thinking before they speak” syndrome. Happy if people ask about it or simply smile and say nothing, but to be off about it because it’s not the norm while living in a diverse area is a bit silly to me.

I thought she was going to be called Bold or something 🤣

It’s not something I’d go for but it’s not a bad name. I thought Annabel’s name was going to be something much more unusual, rare and special to get the sort of comments you claim to get…. I’ve come across many Annabels and it’s just a normal, standard name.

Out of all of them, India is actually my favourite! So there you go…. It matters not one jot as everyone has a different opinion and preference.

I imagine Leonora will have some nicknames if she doesn’t like the full thing when she’s older.

Because like the name 'Eleanor' the second vowel after the L is often not pronounced? Especially in some accents. I imagine in a posh accent the EO sound would be much less pronounced.

Anyway, I think it's pretty name. Don't change it. If someone says something about the fabric softener, ask them what they mean. Get them to squirm as they spell it out that they're insulting your baby's name. And then pay it no mind. Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter, as some would say!

It's just a thing people says, people comment on my DD's feminine name, they don't comment on my son's standard boy name.

Leonora is the first name of Madame Armfeldt in Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music!’ Fab character - fab name. I would think of the character before the fabric softener but that’s slightly niche! 😂

I think Nora is a super cute nickname so you could call her that for now if you’re on the fence about using the whole Leonora while she’s tiny; definitely don’t change her name!

This is exactly what I was going to say, people who have not heard of it before are very insular(and that's me being polite).

It’s a beautiful name. Both of your daughters names are lovely and are so pretty together. Hope you get some rest my love. X

Just another one coming on to say I LOVE Leonora so much.
Annabel is a pretty name but Leonora is really unusual and special.

My first thought was omg you’ve named her lenor! But Lenora I’d completely valid name it’s not like you’ve named her something that’s not a name!

Leonora is a beautiful name, and also a pretty normal name. Annabel is pretty too but where I live Leonora would be the one people commented positively on (we have a lot of little Noras).

Leonora is so lovely!

This Leonora was considered the most beautiful woman of her generation by Queen Victoria....
https://family.rothschildarchive.org/people/59-leonora-laury-or-lally-de-rothschild-1837-1911

It’s a lovely name, and IMO not so unusual that nobody will have heard it before.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you start a fashion for it…