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Baby names

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Original poster

Change son's name (Huw) at 4 days old?

54 replies

Babynamedilemmahmm · 20/01/2016 08:50

I've name changed for this as obviously could out me...

I've got a gorgeous 4 day old baby. We have announced to everyone he is called Huw.

I'm English, I can't see us moving to Wales at any point. My husband grew up in Wales and considers himself Welsh, he has English parents, but we long complicated Eastern European surname that have to spell out to everyone and get lots of comments 'wow that's some name!' 'I'm not even going to attempt to pronounce that' etc. So I've always said I'd like names which are easy to pronounce and which he won't have to go through life explaining.

My husband has always loved Huw. I used to like it to, although it wasn't a name I was familiar with growing up but when I heard a friend of a friend had called there child it a few years ago thought it sounded a lovely name. I don't like the English spelling version of the same pronunciation (Hugh) and not massive fan of Hugo.

Basically it was the only name that we could agree on so we went with it, I've vetoed his other suggestions as really don't like them (Morgan and Owen) and he doesn't particularly like my names I like (Samuel or Matthew).

I think I'd prefer a name change to Samuel (and go through the embarrassment of re-announcing to everyone) even though I do still quite like the name Huw and my husband doesn't particularly like Samuel. He says we can change it if I want although he sees him as a Huw now, but really I just want a name we both love, which I guess we haven't found but Huw is the closest (if it was just down to me I definitely think he looks like a Samuel not a Huw)

Is he going to have to go through life explaining his name if he is a Huw? Could a 'Huw .... Long complicated surname' be a prime minister or CEO?

Help me!! I guess the sooner the better for letting people know, and just want to make the right decision!!

OP posts:
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SixtyFootDoll · 20/01/2016 15:40

Oh Huw is lovely, Samuel is boring.
FWIW, I wasn't overly enamoured with Son1s name to start with (William) but DH really wanted it and I couldn't think of another.

It took me we is to get used to it, I used to call him baby rather than his name.
But of course we grew to love it!

But if you do dislike it that much then change it, just don't rush into it.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 20/01/2016 20:31

I really like Huw and Huw Samuel sounds good.

Would Evan be a possible compromise name?

GRW · 20/01/2016 20:41

I think Huw is a great name especially with a Welsh heritage, and he is unlikely to meet another one. Hugo is much more common now but I don't like it as much.

GloriaHotcakes · 20/01/2016 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsEricBana · 20/01/2016 20:45

Yes Huw absolutely lovely and Huw Somethinglongncomplicated is perfect name for a CEO! Samuel is lovely too but lots of Sam's around.

Original poster
Babynamedilemmahmm · 20/01/2016 20:46

Thanks so much for the positive encouragement. I'm going to stick with Huw and be happy with it. This thread has made me way more positive about it too :) I think hormones and sleep played a part in my 5am stress!!

OP posts:
NorksAreMessy · 20/01/2016 20:52

Huw is an adorable name, but just to be ANSOLUTELY sure, we do need to see a picture of a scrummy, tiny, fresh out of the package, head-sniff able baby

g'wan...let's have a pic to coo over

OneMagnumisneverenough · 20/01/2016 20:53

Oh yes - a pic would be best - just to be on the safe side.... :o

ShmooBooMoo · 20/01/2016 21:11

I think it's great too, Huw that is! How about Hugo?
Or, I think these names are along the same lines (well, the kind of names I'd think of for a brother for Huw:
Leo
Ivor
Silas
Nathan

Xmasbaby11 · 20/01/2016 21:14

I love Huw. Congrats!

newyear16 · 20/01/2016 21:18

You can always give him three forenames so that you all, including your dad, are happy

yongnian · 20/01/2016 21:21

Huw is a great name...and incidentally a separate name with different pronunciation, meaning and origin from the English 'Hugh'.
And also good with the long surname, I think.

Hubnut · 21/01/2016 23:49

I experienced name wobbles. I drove myself a bit crazy dwelling on it. DP was happy with chosen name and I wasn't 100% sure of an alternative so we did nothing. I can't imagine him being anything else now. He suits his name, I think it was a form of anxiety on my part and I just wanted reassurance from everyone that the name was right. It's a great name btw. Congratulations x

CheerfulYank · 21/01/2016 23:53

Oooh yes let us see the little one!

I love Huw. I've never heard it with that spelling before (American) but it's said how I thought it would be. :)

Alisvolatpropiis · 22/01/2016 17:13

Huw is a great name Smile

Sleepingtom · 22/01/2016 19:41

Aw I love the name Huw. Good choice! X

lapsedorienteerer · 22/01/2016 19:43

Huw is a great name, unusual but easy for him to learn to spell (important!)

DartmoorDoughnut · 22/01/2016 19:54

Oh I love Huw! Fab name Grin the newsreader is lovely too which helps!

I decided what my DS's name would be at 16 - 33 now! - and then had the same wobble and didn't think it suited him, bloody hormones!

Gwenhwyfar · 22/01/2016 20:04

"Why would he have to explain Huw? It's a known variant of the name in the UK."

They're going to be pronouncing it as Hugh rather than Huw then? I don't think the pronunciation is well known outside Wales.

Gwenhwyfar · 22/01/2016 20:06

"How about Hugo?"

Too posh for some people's liking.

yongnian · 22/01/2016 20:33

gwenhwyfar (fab name - this was on our list at one point) I think you are right, people often don't realise or know the difference in pronunciation between Huw and Hugh. Huw is not a variant of Hugh either, they are separate names with separate meanings and origins as well.

CleverPlansAndSecretTricks · 22/01/2016 21:04

Glad you're sticking with Huw, I think it's a lovely name.

This may sound like a totally crazy suggestion, but it sounds like you both hate the long complicated surname. Why not change that instead?

Alisvolatpropiis · 22/01/2016 22:21

Gwen

I'm Welsh and have heard Huw pronounced the same as Hugh more often than not. By WFL speakers. Perhaps it depends on accent?

Lizziedripping1 · 22/01/2016 23:00

Keep Huw it's a lovely name, everyone knows it, will know how to say it. How about Huw Samuel. We seem to have a tradition in our family of calling people by their middle names so later if you really think he looks like a Samuel/Sam you csn call him that may be?

Congratulations anyway xx

Gwenhwyfar · 22/01/2016 23:46

"
I'm Welsh and have heard Huw pronounced the same as Hugh more often than not. By WFL speakers. Perhaps it depends on accent?"

Alis, No, I don't think it's pronounced the same as Hugh. The accent makes a difference, but it's still not Hugh.
On the other hand, I don't suppose it matters if they all pronounce it Hugh - it just means he has to explain the spelling.