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Baby names

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Original poster

Help, I think I chose the wrong name!

93 replies

MissusBea · 07/02/2016 14:20

DD is ten months old now and I have never felt quite settled about her name. DH admits that it niggles him too. When I say her name to people over the age of 50 (and some younger) I sometimes get a reaction or slightly negative comments even. I am thinking about getting it changed - is it too late?

We called her Martha, but I am afraid that its not pretty and maybe even a little frumpy (servants name?). She's a beautiful, bright little thing. Thinking of adding the name Eleanor to the birth certificate as that seems so much more elegant and beautiful (means 'shining light', name of several Queens etc)

Honest thoughts / opinions pls! Am I overthinking this? Is it too late?

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Original poster
MissusBea · 07/02/2016 19:20

All these positive comments about Martha are really helping me. The first negative comment I had was from my adored grandmother who passed away a couple of months ago. She said 'will she be worried and anxious like the Martha in the bible?'. Another person I care a lot about said something similar - again about the biblical Martha 'why did you call her Martha when she's so peaceful' ? but am I right in thinking that most people don't even think of that Martha - or even know the story?

OP posts:
mrsschu · 07/02/2016 19:22

Martha isn't frumpy. In my experience Martha's are either over 80 or under 6 so people in their 50's may think it's an unusual name as it's probably not the kind of name that would have been in vogue when they were having and naming babies. My grandmother's sister was called Martha but always went by May, could be a possible nn? I suppose if you're really unhappy you could change it but I'm not 100% sure what you want to do - change her name to Eleanor or just add it in as an extra name (which doesn't change anything really as far as I can see)? I'm not sure it's something I would do if she has a sibling who is already familiar with her name but that's a decision only you can make.

seriouslywhat · 07/02/2016 19:22

I have no idea about bible Martha... Think it's lovely.

Original poster
MissusBea · 07/02/2016 19:30

Yes I was thinking to add Eleanor as a first name on the birth certificate and start using it as her name. But these comments have given me pause for thought. I don't hate the name Martha but DH and familt members weren't keen on my other choices and enthused about Martha and so I think I feel that I was influenced to choose a name that wasn't a name I had always loved but more of a new idea in the hormonal few weeks before the birth.

OP posts:
Cirsium · 07/02/2016 19:30

I love Martha, it is pretty and simple and sweet but strong. We get a real mix of comments about DDs unusual name, I am really surprised by how rude people can be about something we have clearly thought about carefully. But I just say we love it and think it suits her and we are pleased she will not be one of many called it. The positive comments make up for it.

Narp · 07/02/2016 19:31

I really like it. It works for an older child and an adult.

Eleanor is beautiful, but there are so many Ellies/Ellas around

Anna is nice too

ifcatscouldtalk · 07/02/2016 19:36

Lots of biblical names are used. Any association with the bible wouldn't bother me at all.

villainousbroodmare · 07/02/2016 19:44

If you have had ten months to consider it, and both you and your OH feel the same, then change it. It's a name, there's no absolute right or wrong, there's only feelings and instincts and associations, which are not necessarily logical, but valid still.

ConesOfDunshire · 07/02/2016 19:44

Biblical Martha welcomed thirteen strangers into her home and was busy making them welcome while her sister Mary listened to Jesus. He gently admonished her for not prioritising the most important thing, ie his teachings. That's really it. There are much worse Biblical fates than that!

Marisabel · 07/02/2016 20:00

I changed my DD name at 5 months -added a middle name. I wasn't keen on her first name and was thinking with the middle name it will work better. And I regretted it:( Still don't like her name. Feel like rubbish mother. Thinking to change her name to Sophia( wanted it from the start, but everyone said it is too popular), but not sure anymore. Ironically her current first name is popular as well.

Marisabel · 07/02/2016 20:03

I think your girl have a very beautiful name. But I like Eleanor too.
In your place I would add it. In my case, we are aloud to have just 1 first and 1 middle name.

Sophronia · 07/02/2016 20:03

Martha is lovely! And there are so many Eleanors and Ellies around.

Original poster
MissusBea · 07/02/2016 20:37

Marisabel what did you regret ... Adding a new middle name or not changing the name fully at 5 months? Do you mind me asking how old your daughter is now?

OP posts:
hollyisalovelyname · 07/02/2016 20:48

Martha is lovely.

SpearmintLino · 07/02/2016 22:15

I absolutely love Martha. Not helpful, sorry!

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 07/02/2016 22:28

Martha is so pretty! We called our wee boy John, with no second name. I am like you in that I wish we had thought maybe a bit further and added another name. John is now four and has himself chosen Luke as a middle name so we are adding it by deed poll.

FellOutOfBedTwice · 07/02/2016 22:30

I really like it and have heard Moss used as a nickname for it which is ridiculously cool- my great auntie Martha was a Moss. I would love to have a Martha NN Moss but unfortunately, our surname rhymes with Moss and so would sound loopy.

autumnmoon · 08/02/2016 09:59

Martha is a beautiful name - i would have faith in it, she'll grow into it!

autumnmoon · 08/02/2016 09:59

I know a Martha nicknamed Marcie which is super cute

SweetSuz · 08/02/2016 10:12

Just an opinion on your names-only you know your strength of feeling to change it- but Martha is much more feminine/energetic/pretty/unique to me than Eleanor which sounds rigid, old fashioned and not particularly pretty.
I think Martha is not particularity a "baby suited" name so as she grows up I feel you'd really like it and she'd suit it/grow into it much more than now.

Dreamimgofmyholiday · 08/02/2016 10:14

Martha is a beautiful name .Marthas Vineyard a beautiful island off Cape Cod in the US named after a Martha wins every time over the other choice.Hearing the name brought back memories of wonderful family holidays spent there.

Shesinfashion · 08/02/2016 10:21

I love Martha too. Much classier than ending up being one of the huge amount of girls called Ellie.

Mclaren37 · 08/02/2016 11:15

Love Martha! Pretty, vintage, cool! I think you can add another first name if you both really want to, but I think it's fab - was on the short-short list for our DD. You can have Mattie or Thea as nicknames - or I knew a Mari (long A) once at uni which I like too. But really Martha is just great on its own. I imagine a fun little blonde curly haired girl! These names are also very fashionable right now - in a good way - Maeve and Maude and Margot are getting popular too.

Eleanor is a traditional name so I guess you can't go wrong (although really dislike Ellie), but it feels very 'done' to me, slightly dull. Whereas Martha feels very fresh.

Mclaren37 · 08/02/2016 11:25

And yes OP I think you can very safely assume that no one is making the connection with Martha from the biblical story. I literally have no clue about that particular bible storyWink and lots of biblical names are used now because they are on trend with no relation to their biblical character. Would not think of Martha as a biblical name at all.

Sophronia · 08/02/2016 13:28

Just to add, Eleanor means 'the other Aenor', Ellen/Helen means "torch" or "light" (the names are unrelated).