My DH2 is now 7, we named her Hannah, which I like but wish. I had named her

[Flum]

Genevieve. I have told her this for years and she loves the name Genevieve and wants to change it. I am dragging my feet as would be awkward to get used to and hard and confusing for family, friends, school. Should we just go for it?
Am thinking we could change it casually for a bit and see how it goes. We try but keep forgetting and just call her Hannah again. Husband won't be able to change don't think.

I wouldn't. Her name is Hannah. What if in a years time she has a new favourite name? I would add Genevieve as a middle name tho, so she could call herself Hannah-Genevieve and if that naturally evolved into just Genevieve by high school, so bad it.

Be not bad!

Erm, I wouldn't.

Not at age 7! if she was 7 weeks then why not. Wait until Hannah is older & able to really have a choice. My cousin changed their name when he was 25 & I still forget & call him by his original name sometimes, mainly because its awful!!

Hi, My daughter wanted to change her name when she was 10-lasted for about 12 months although we stuck with original name and she has forgotten now!
BIL started to use his middle name when he was 10/11 I think and everybody has got used to it now so I think I would just try it as experiment for a bit at home and see if you can all keep it up.
If you formally change it now she may regret it later.

Why on earth have you been telling her "for years" that you don't like her name and wish you'd chosen another?

Of course she wants to change it given you've made it clear how much you hate her name. Stop being so mean.

When I was growing up I wanted to change my name to (respectively) Sage, Paisley and Moffat.

Can you explain more why and how you have told her you hate her name? it seems a bit brutal so maybe i am missing something. Both names are lovely, by the way. But for me, if my DM spent years kvetching about my name I would have a bit of a complex about it.

I know someone who changed their DDs name when she was about 9 ,she had allegedly been bullied at school and was starting afresh at a new school so started with the new name . I think that's possibly the only way you will get everyone to play along IYSWIM.

If you and DD are really sure then add it as a middle name, not a new first name. Much easier I think.

I think she is too young to make this choice and I think that you may inadvertently be influencing her opinion.

Let her change her name if she still wants to as an adult.

I would stop talking about it with her as well.

How about when she goes to secondary school?

What's her full name? Can you add Guinevere as a first or middle name to her present name? First try the name informally. It will feel odd for a while

She wants to change it because you've told her YOU'VE wanted it for years.
You're projecting, leave Hannah alone.

Why have you "told her this for years"?? Get over it

You said what to her??

OP, why not change your name to Genevieve?

Did your dh dislike Genevieve which is why you chose Hannah?

No.

Why did you tell her?

Leave it, for her sake and get over it.

Or get a cat called Genevieve.

My brother's stepchildren all changed their names when they went to secondary school- it has caused no problems at all- they haven't done it by deed poll or anythings- they are just "known as". Happy to say more if it would be helpful.

I like both names. So does she, she just prefers Genevieve as maybe thinks it slightly more exotic. I exaggerated when I said had told her for years. It was more a " we were going to call you xxxxx but thought it was a bit of a mouthful" . No one needs thrapy or anything. We all love Hannah, whatever she is called. It's cool. I think we will leave things as they are.

Thank you for all the feedback. I love the honesty of Mumsnet.

I have a daughter who is 8 called genevieve, she is almost never called genevieve though she is genie, she goes through phases of wishing she had a more normal name, in fact I think hannah may have been on her list once. :)