Changing DD's name slightly at 2.9months

[patandjess]

Hi, DD has a difficult name which has caused all sorts of problems for us. Close friends and family are used to it, but EVERY stranger (and some friends!) get it wrong. I am now thinking of changing it to the more accepted version. I just don't want her going through life ALWAYS having to explain her name. I'm not saying what it is, but it's sort of like changing Beatrix to Beatrice - not a massive change, but just easier. Obv. nursery etc would have to be informed, and the change would have to be done by deed poll, but once she has a new passport I guess ID wouldn't be a problem. We have another, older child who may think it hard though.

My question is, has anyone done a similar thing, and how long do you think it would take to get people to start using the new version of the name?

I haven't done it, but I would expect people to keep up pretty quickly. If you tell them and explain why I don't think you'd have to keep reminding, only my opinion though fwiw, as it would be the kind of thing I would imagine making the effort to take on board if a friend/relative did it.

I expect your older child will cope better than you think.

Hope it goes OK, certainly if you are going to do it at all, sooner is better than later.

On Monday, I was doing a day of supply teaching in a year two class. I always do stickers for their names. Anyway, there were a fair few names that I just could not get to grips with at all(unusual spellings and some made up names I had never heard) and I was thinking that it's sometimes hard to form a connection with people when you can't remember their name or you are unsure of it.

I changed my name when I was 7 (dropped my first name), a few older people (I would say the 70+ generation) always forgot and called me by my old name. Most people soon adapted, I don't remember the confusion going on for long. It was a significant change though, she would probably quite soon get used to answering to either name. When she started school that would soon train her to use the new version as there would be new teachers/pupils etc.

A boy in dd's class was always known by his nickname, which is very different to his actual name, in fact his mother had to tell him before he started school that his name was actually something other than what he was known as. In the routine of a classroom they and the other children and teachers have no problem with calling him by his formal name, even though he is still called by his nickname at home.

I didn't change my name formally until I was an adult - my mother who also goes by her middle name never has. I would recommend changing by deed poll asap if you are going to. I hated being called by my old name e.g. At the Drs, by a supply teacher, but then I didn't like my old name. I haven't told my children about the change, all of my documents, other than my birth certificate and our phone line are in my new name. When ID is called for I just use my passport, as an adult I have never HAD to produce birth certificate, passports are often preferred as it has a photo. You might need to show bc and deed poll for school though.

Might have had to show it for marriage along with deed poll, but that was part of the motivation, dh's two timing ex shared my original name, he didn't fancy making a vow to my original name. Before I get flammed, it was entirely my choice and it had annoyed me for years before I met him.

Do bear in mind though that my name change was significant e.g. From Jane to Victoria, a more minor change might not cause the same issues.

Under 12 months you don't have to do it by deed poll, you just fill in a form at the registry office and will be given a revised birth certificate.

I would just do it.... Better to do it now when she's too young to know than to have it always niggling at you.

Yes it wasn't clear from the post if she was 2years and 9 months or just under 3 months. I assumed 2yrs 9mo as more likely to be at nursery, but yes you can get a new birth certificate up to 1yr old.

Sorry I was being.dense she's obviously 2 years and 9 months