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Help, I've chosen the wrong name!!!

41 replies

Newcy2014 · 27/08/2014 11:49

Hello, I'm new to mums net, and even new to online forums, but I need some opinions/advice! My little boy is 14 months old and I really regret the name we gave him. We couldn't agree on a name, and in the end, hormones surging and pressure to name him immediately (mostly from my mum), I went with my husbands choice - Stanley. I really hoped that the name would grow on me, but still after all this time, I still hesitate briefly when people ask me what his name is, I call him pet names when we go to soft play as I almost feel embarrassed by his name. I know that this is ridiculous, and that many retro names are making a comeback, but I can't help this gut feeling I have, and I've almost given up hoping that it will grow on me.

There have been many opinions on the name, but most of the ones I read are from a few years ago now. What are peoples thoughts, now that older names have been making a come back? Should I look into changing it?

Thank you

OP posts:
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Newcy2014 · 28/08/2014 11:35

Thank you everyone! Talk about a problem shared.... I was really obsessing about it, but I am starting to feel a bit clearer about what I want to do. I have tried to talk to my husband, but he really LOVES the name and can't understand why I have a problem. I don't really really hate it, I just don't really like it, I although I do like other 'retro' names. It doesn't help that my mum was refusing to call him the name she'd pressured me into giving him, on the night we brought him home, as she thought it was a truly awful name (I certainly won't make that mistake again!).

His middle name was more an honorary name, and not one that we really intended to use, although it's okay actually. The problem is, we still don't agree on alternatives. I'm going to find out about adding a new first name, and keeping his name as another middle name, then have another talk with my husband. I feel rather sentimental about all cards etc that we received, so I want to keep the name.

OP posts:
Dontgotosleep · 28/08/2014 13:05

Stanley. That is so cute.

GertrudeTheMongrel · 28/08/2014 13:11

I would keep it. If you don't hate it, and your husband loves it, then maybe just accept it?

jaykay34 · 29/08/2014 16:17

I love the name...it's both my Grandad's names and my uncle's name. Although just for the record...they all hate it !

I'm currently pregnant and my little boy's middle name will be Stanley. I did want it as his first name but DP wasn't quite as enthusiastic - so we comprimised.

I think it's a real marmite name...its either loved or unloved.

Does it suit your son ?

I'm not overly keen on my elder son's name now as it's massively common and there are always loads of them. Plus as I knew it was common, I gave it a slightly different spelling - which my son hates and uses the normal spelling !! However, he is 11 years old now and I have to admit it really suits him.

alexkerr · 21/09/2014 19:19

I love Stanley! but as has slready been said it will suit him when he is a toddler!

Viviennemary · 21/09/2014 19:22

If you still don't like it after all this time then certainly consider changing it. I'm not keen on it at all but it's a sensible solid name. However, in the end it's your choice and if you're not happy then change it if your DH agrees.

Siennasun · 21/09/2014 22:30

I like Stan/Stanley. It's not too common but not weird either.

I know a really cute little Stan. His parents are surfers. I suspect Stan will be very cool when he's older Smile

HappydaysArehere · 21/09/2014 22:31

Will sound classy and dependable on his first job application!

LBNM19 · 21/09/2014 23:06

I like Stanley xx

SavoyCabbage · 21/09/2014 23:31

This happened to me, I was pressured into dd2's name after I gave birth. I wish I'd changed it. Like you, I don't hate the name, I just don't love it because it didn't choose it myself.

It sounds like you don't what to so could you choose a nickname that you can use more permentantly? Not Moo or chubby cheeks but something that can carry you through the years a bit.

I work somewhere where I see literally hundreds of children's names a day. There are a fair few nickname names. Bear, Coco, Tiger. That sort of thing.

cheesecakemom · 22/09/2014 22:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

DanyStormborn · 25/09/2014 21:00

I think Stanley is a cool name and could make a comeback.

clairemum22 · 25/09/2014 22:23

I like Stanley! My own dd has a name that I like but woe betide anyone shorten it!!!

PrincessPenguin · 26/09/2014 14:22

i LOVE Stanley! One of my friends has twins called Hester and Stanley and I think they're great.

birdofthenorth · 26/09/2014 14:55

Love love love Stanley.

HumblePieMonster · 27/09/2014 20:37

fourteen months is too late to change his name, he knows it.

use 'Stanley my love' or 'Stanley dearest' to make sure you get the message across that your flinch when you say his name isn't about him.

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