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Baby names

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

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Original poster

regret name one year on

150 replies

bewellnell · 04/04/2014 11:26

I'm going to totally out myself here as it's an unusual name but oh well!

We called our daughter Nola Matilda. When she was born it was a choice between Orla or Nola and OH preferred Nola, he went home from hospital and told his mum who then announced on facebook that her name was Nola..I just went with it, at the time I really liked it.

Another name which I LOVED was Tabitha but a few people put me off by the old "it's a cats name how awful" comments.

I have recently found out my mum and aunt dislike the name Nola and wished I called her Tabitha. I am now wishing I had called her Orla Tabitha. Or at least Orla as a first name. I think about this every day....what to do?! OH says he likes all the names and doesn't care.

It would be really weird to change it now when she is nearly a year old, right?!

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CarCiKoTab · 04/04/2014 11:31

My Daughter's name is Tabitha Beau! I love it and I call her Tabby Beau for short or Tabilicious lol what ever goes really.

I don't think it would be weird to change it, easier now whilst she's still young and can easily adapt to a new name, especially if you really regret the choice but I think you would have to change it by Deed poll, which costs. I changed my son's last name and it cost me about £80 odd but, it was £80 well spent I feel.

misscph1973 · 04/04/2014 11:34

I had a similar situation. My daughter's name is Robyn Sophia (she's 9 now) and this was my DHs preferred name. I liked Sophia and Andrea. When she was born my DH went straight out and bought a domain name with her full name (not that he ever did anything with it...). At the time I didn't think we had decided! Anyway, I didn't put up too much of a fight, but I would often regret it in her first year. Mu mum didn't like it much to begin with.

I came to the same conclusion as you, that it would be really weair to change it.

Now she is 9 and I don't think too much about it. I like that she has a name that is not too common, but not difficult to pronounce or too surprising. I think you will feel the same eventually.

Oh, and I really like Nola ;)

Dovahkiin · 04/04/2014 11:35

If it's really bothering you and your DH is fine with it, then change it. Your daughter won't mind at this age! You might get a few comments from people but surely it's worth it to give a beautiful name to your daughter for life? (Not that Nola isn't beautiful - I like all your names!) My friend has a Tabitha/Tabby - absolutely suits her and no-one makes the cat connection once they've met her.

Original poster

bewellnell · 04/04/2014 14:53

Thanks for your advice. Have spoken with OH and we are going to add the name Tabitha to her first name via deedpoll. So she will be Tabitha Nola Matilda. Bit of a mouthfull but it seems like the best way to do it to us. Then people who are attached to the name Nola can pick what they choose to call her and it's a good way of gradually egtting used to Tabitha. What do you think?

OP posts:

CarCiKoTab · 04/04/2014 15:30

Sounds good, you have to do what you feel right. Good luck and all the best.

Theonlyoneiknow · 04/04/2014 17:29

If you change it before age of one don't need to do it via deed poll (I don't think), can just change it at the registry office on her birth certificate. Or a I wrong somewhere!

JustDanni · 04/04/2014 21:11

if you want an honnest opinion then I have to say Nola is a beautiful name.
I think the others are ... yeash.

squoosh · 04/04/2014 22:33

Personally I think Tabitha is a million times nicer than Nola but the main thing is is that you feel settled once and for all on her new name.

bunnynose · 04/04/2014 22:42

You can have her birth certificate amended before her first birthday without using deedpoll. Just contact the Registry Office you registered at and you just have to pay for new certificates. I changed my baby's name at 8 months and am so much happier now. Everyone thought the new name was so much better.

usualsuspectt · 04/04/2014 22:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

threepiecesuite · 04/04/2014 23:38

Nola is very unusual. I really like it.

Original poster

bewellnell · 05/04/2014 02:42

oh now I am all confused, to change it or not that is the question. I'm not really changing it, just adding a name?! aaah

OP posts:

squoosh · 05/04/2014 02:49

But you are changing it her first name will be Tabitha from now on.

Original poster

bewellnell · 05/04/2014 02:55

I think I'm in denial. Personally I really prefer Tabitha but when people say they prefer Nola I wonder if I should just leave it rather than everyone think I'm a weirdo for changing it.

OP posts:

TheseAreTheJokesFolks · 05/04/2014 03:05

You know what you have to do really...have a second one ;-)

Theonlyoneiknow · 05/04/2014 07:59

Don't go with what other people prefer, go with what you and your DH prefer

Hassled · 05/04/2014 08:02

I think Nola is really nice - and after a year, does your DD not know she's called Nola - will it not confuse her?

I had wobbles re my DD's name - but give it enough time and it just becomes who she is, and you'll love the name because it's her.

TickleMyTitsTillFriday · 05/04/2014 08:05

I think at 7 months they recognise their own names?

I was in your position and agonised over it for so long. In the end I changed his middle name to my preferred name and he can change it when he's older if he prefers the middle name!

So I would change it to Nola Tabitha. But only if she is under 12 months and you can add it to the bc, otherwise it will be a faff for her forever.

Original poster

bewellnell · 05/04/2014 08:22

The problem with changing it to Nola Tabitha is her middle name is Matilda --- and we have to keep that one for sentimental reasons. Nola Tabitha Matilda, that sounds a bit odd doesn't it?

OP posts:

DubBgoodToMe · 05/04/2014 08:36

It may or may not help but I don't like tabitha. Cats name sums it up perfectly. Old cat at that.

Nola is lovely. Will she ever know another Nola? I think it's beautiful. Orla is better tho.

If you want to change it then do.

Notsurehowthathappened · 05/04/2014 08:43

Nola is beautiful !!!

She will be called Nollie by her friends at Senior School, much nicer than Tabbie in my opinion.

Octopusinabunchofdaffodils · 05/04/2014 08:49

If you want to change it then change it. Personally I much prefer Orla, though it is getting more popular now - I know 4 baby Orlas.

lunar1 · 05/04/2014 08:56

She will know her name at a year! I d

blackandwhiteandredallover · 05/04/2014 08:57

Wow I have to say Nola is beautiful. It's a name I never wouod have thought of, but now I am adding it to my list of names for my imaginary 3rd (and 4th and 5th and 6th...) daughter.

Are you likely to have more DC? Surely you can save Tabitha for next time?

I do understand... we spent so long deciding on a name for DD2 and ended up going with a name DH had suggested. He had vetoed my absolute favourite name, Tess. The first year of DD2's life I just wasn't sure if she suited the name,.I used to just look at her, saying her name over and over again to get used to it.

Now that she is 3, her name is so much part of her identity she.couldn't be anything else.

charlyn · 05/04/2014 08:57

Nola is lovely I wouldn't change it. I think its a bit late as I have a 12 month old and she definitely recognises her name. I would just add Tabitha as a middle if you really want the name or have another one :)

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