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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Help! We've chosen the wrong name...

51 replies

moogdroog · 02/06/2011 17:06

Have just laid my cards on the table with DH who has admitted he feels the same. Had a hard time choosing a name, and then made a snap decision on the operating table. 3 weeks on, and it's just not the right name for her..

Its a Welsh name, and no one seems to be able to pronounce it - Welsh
speakers get it right, English-speaking Welsh get it wrong and the English relatives just don't get it at all. Every time someone has asked what her name is, I've had to say it twice and then spell it for them... I've been calling her everything but her name.

So, has anyone else spectacularly changed their minds? How do I announce this whilst minimising egg on my face? She has many cards and a gorgeous love spoon engraved with her name.

I just can't believe we did this. I feel so daft.

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BelleEnd · 02/06/2011 18:28

I am sure that you'll choose the right name, your taste seems to be really lovely. :)

What about Eleri? That seems to be easier for people to pronounce.
And llongyfachiadau gwresog iawn on the birth of your daughter, by the way. :)

mayanna123 · 02/06/2011 19:01

I think Eirlys is a lovely name. So many names need to be 'explained' in terms of pronunciation (Siobhan, Niamh etc) but once told, it's easy to remember. Personally I think Eirlys sounds and looks more feminine/elegant than Gwen, which I really don't like.

Jemma1111 · 02/06/2011 19:11

I agree that Gwen isn't my cup of tea but I do like Eirlys

MyBoysHaveDogsNames · 02/06/2011 19:18

It's a beautiful name. I haven't heard of it before but I love it. Doesn't it mean 'bald' though?

mimmymouse · 02/06/2011 19:36

What a beautiful name! We too gave our DD an unusual name (though it is only partially Welsh, like her) and have similar issues with relatives etc. However, it was the name I called her instinctively when I held her after giving birth, it suits her and we love it. Screw 'em! People learn and you can rest comforted by the fact she'll be the only one in her class!

2 further points---as an insurance policy we gave her a garden variety middle name so, should she detest her first name in future we don't need legal name changes. And she was nearly Gwenhwyfar!

Congratulations!

mejon · 02/06/2011 20:42

What about Eiry - easier for non-Welsh speakers to pronounce but similar enough to Eirlys. Really like Gwennan - very pretty and not that common (but then I'm a little bit biased as you may remember that DD1 is Gwenno ).

FellatioNelson · 02/06/2011 20:48

I think it sounds lovely but I do agree, you will get heartily sick of everyone getting it wrong her whole life. I think you should choose a middle name you love, and bring her up known as that, while keeping Eirlys as her 'official' name. It really won't make any difference whether she ever uses it or not.

That way you won't lose face or offend people who have bought her personalised gifts etc.

I like Genevieve.

Although if you stuck to Eirlys you could caller Lissie or Lyssa? Or change it to Ellis?

ceri1985 · 02/06/2011 20:50

It is a beautiful name, but it is a huge long term commitment. My name is cerian (kerry ann ) and it has haunted me more in my adult life than in my childhood. When people phone me or i am called out in the doctors or dentists waiting room, there is a 95% chance they'll get it wrong.
Perhaps use her middle name? Gwen is beautiful by the way.x

RitaMorgan · 02/06/2011 20:51

What's her middle name, could you just switch them around?

everlong · 02/06/2011 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stase · 02/06/2011 20:59

It's a gorgeous name! I know an Eirlys, and she doesn't mind at all if you pronounced it 'Air-liss', although the authentic Welsh was a little more rolly on the R. Some people also said 'Ay-liss'.
If I had any Welsh connections and therefore a 'right' to use it, I'd keep it!
That's not helpful is it..?

petitdonkey · 02/06/2011 21:03

You really must choose a name that suits you all- please don't stress about changing it. Things like the beautiful love spoon will all add to a wonderful story for her. I like all of your name choices fwiw x

chocolatchaud · 02/06/2011 21:04

I think both names are pretty, but I would definitely encourage you to change it if you are unhappy.

We had a similar situation - choosing between 2 names, and had pretty much decided to go with one, until we were presented with a hand-embroidered teddy with the other name on it. We went with the embroidered name, and if I'm honest, I still regret it now.

It is such early days in the grand scheme of things, so go with the name you really want.

razzlebathbone · 02/06/2011 21:33

I've never heard of it before but it looks and sounds beautiful. So much so that I can't quite understand why you would also like Gwen, which is almost about as opposite to it as you could get.

Sorry but I think Gwen is such a dull, underwhelming name even if you don't keep Eirlys.

freerangeeggs · 02/06/2011 22:41

Gwen's nice but a bit boring. Eirlys is byootiful, but I understand your concerns.

My sister's name is Gaelic and although it does cause problems, she doesn't seem to mind. People only need to be told how to pronounce it once (usually!).

There are loads of gorgeous Welsh names to choose from, though.

Trizelda · 02/06/2011 22:48

I think it's lovely but don't hold onto it just for a spoon! We have a Katharine which is often spelt incorrectly. Also my younger daughter has cards from her grandmother for the first three years of her life with her name spelt in a way I didn't know was possible!

cory · 03/06/2011 10:18

It depends on how much you care that they get it wrong. Both my children have Swedish names, noone gets them right, it doesn't worry us much. But then even dh can't pronounce my name, so I've become fairly blase about it.

prolificwillybreeder · 03/06/2011 12:04

Oh I love that name. I can completely understand your dilemma though.

debrs4 · 03/06/2011 12:08

Go for Gwen! Not at all middle aged these days, in fact positively kick-assed and trendy thanks to Torchwood. Never mind about the spoon or people's opinions, bottom line is she's your baby and you have to be 100 % comfortable.

ChippingIn · 03/06/2011 12:16

If you & DH* aren't happy with it, then you should change it. It's definitely not too late, many people ask about it months, some even a couple of years later - 3 weeks is nothing :)

When you tell people (that you are calling her x instead) most people will make some kind of comment, it would be hard not to wouldn't it?! But it really doesn't matter what anyone else says/thinks because she's your daughter :)

As for the cards, spoon etc - it will all add to the story of her birth/early days and wont scar her for life!

Firawla · 03/06/2011 12:20

if you're not happy then probably best change it sooner than later, especally as you haven't registered. but i would keep it as mn rather than getting rid of it entirely? as a middle name doesnt matter if people cant pronounce it. i have never heard that name but it does sound pretty. gwen is also nice and would definitely be simpler for people spelling and pronounciationwise

bluebobbin · 03/06/2011 12:25

Just change it. My mum gave me all the cards that she was sent when I was born. Some say the wrong name (my parents argued over names). It's fine - you haven't registered her yet so it's no trouble at all to change. I have to be honest and say that I wouldn't know how to pronounce Eirlys and I do think it is easier to go through life with a name that people can easily read. My DS went to a party recently and all the children had name badges on. He has a very straightforward name and lots of the kids at the party had complicated names. The party organiser kept choosing my DS to do things and it was because she could read his name badge easily and not worry about getting it wrong. My DS is not the most cooperative (ASD) and not the natural choice so I am sure it was the name issue.

stegasaurus · 03/06/2011 18:27

I have just named DD Eirlys. We aren't Welsh or in Wales and it was a difficult choice between 2 names, so I hope we don't find we have the same issue at some point. Most people we know had never heard of the name before but seem to have accepted it once they got over initial confusion. I am pleasantly surprised by all the positive reactions to it here.

parryharry · 04/06/2011 17:53

Totally sympathise. We've done exactly the same although our DD is now 13 weeks old and we're struggling to come up with an alternative we both like. We can't seem to come up with a name that doesn't have pronunciation problems. We really like Ilid but worried that she'll be called eye lid!

Original poster

moogdroog · 07/06/2011 10:03

Quick update - we've gone with the name change (much to some relative's disgust). It sits much happier with us and little Gwennan.
Still think Eirlys is a lovely name, but not for her. The final push was someone asking if it was pronounced Ear-lice.
Thanks everyone for your input and advice to be brave.

OP posts:

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