Baby Name Anxiety

[heavenknows2007]

My daughter is now six weeks! We weren't even sure what we were going to name her when we went into the registry office, and then just one of our names (Eleanor) came out. After leaving the registry office, I cried because I just wasn't sure of the name, and now my husband has given me today as a deadline to either decide to keep Eleanor, or to change it. (He's having trouble bonding without her name, and it's really upsetting him -- I think this is fair.) We haven't announced the name to anyone besides my sisters if that helps.

I really cannot decide. We had a few names and I was told that I would KNOW when I saw her, but, you know, I didn't and I don't! Any name I use seems weird now, and though there are a few I might (?) like more than Eleanor now, it feels weird to abandon a perfectly good name and wreck her birth certificate.

That said, I keep obsessively reading comments about Eleanor and seeing it and its nicknames (Ellie, Ella) is too popular (wouldn't use Ellie ourselves -- though I suppose she might.) Now I'm worried Eleanor is just too long for me to use on a regular basis. I'm also worried it doesn't match my son's name, though my husband says that doesn't matter. AND I'm worried if I change it, I'll regret it later esp. when I meet little Eleanors and think, why did I get rid of that name? Or if later she prefers Eleanor . . .

I'm not averse to changing it if it's really not her name, but how did you decide? How did you finally bite the bullet???

[CinderellaFant]

I know an Eleanor- Norrie for short. I love it

[Luc28]

The meaning of the name Eleanor is: Shining light. The bright one.

I think it's a beautiful name and you've chosen well, as your daughter grows you we see her shine and her name will be just right

[Fozzleyplum]

It's a lovely name- and was on our shortlist. We ended up with 2 DSs, so never had to decide on a girl's name. We liked Eleanor because it is classic and elegant but not overused or "try hard"; we wanted a name that would not label a child as being from a particular time or class. Nell would be a good nn, but I could imagine using the full version as it is easy to say.

FWIW, the other 2 names that we thought met our criteria were Honor and Anna. Not sure if that's helpful or not....

[gryffindorwannabe]

I think you're probably reading too much into it now (sorry). Eleanor is a nice name, and when you get used to it, it will just be normal and you won't even think about other names.

I called my DD baby for about the first 3 months of her life, and then just gradually started using her name.

I know it's easier said than done, but I honestly wouldnt worry too much about it. You both obviously like the name Eleanor otherwise you wouldn't have chosen it in the first place and it really won't take long before it feels natural (after you've decided you're sticking with it).

Good luck!

[BertrandRussell]

Eleanor's a lovely name. And Nell is the best shortening ever........

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

It's a lovely name. I know several lovely Eleanors. I also love all the nicknames (particularly Elin).

Why not keep it 'officially' but allow yourself the openness to change it 'unofficially' if it doesn't gel?

DH chose DS1's name and even though I loved the name I just couldn't use it for the first year. He was 'baby', 'little man' etc until he was big enough to fit his name iyswim.

With ds2 I insisted on a middle name in case I struggled again, but I've never used it. Ds2 just immediately fit that name.

I guess what I'm saying is to be kind to yourself (it's perfectly normal to worry about this huge decision) but not to stress too much. Loads of people go by different names to the ones on their birth certificates.

[lcoc2015]

I wanted to name dd1 and dd2 eleanor but my dh vetoed it (has a second cousin called eleanor). Love the name and all the nicknames and i know a wildly talented beautiful girl called eleanor who goes by Leni which i think is so cool. I have had decision regret over both my daughters names and then they bed in and the baby grows into them and now i love them so am sure that will happen for you

[julfin]

Eleanor is a lovely name. I personally think Leni is really cute, and the other NNs are nice too. So many options, depending on her character/looks as she develops.

[Grufalosfriend]

Most importantly, YOU have to love the name, not us.

I personally think Eleanor is a nice name, but I do find Ellie/Ella a little overused these days. Other nicknames, like Nell or Elin are lovely and make a refreshing change.

Of your other suggestions, I really love Celia (or even Cecilia) - beautiful, feminine and not so overused.

Good luck!

[LunaLoveg00d]

I can't be the only one who saw the thread title and thought for one horrible moment that you were thinking of calling your baby Anxiety?

[FriendlyGhost]

It's my name. I love it and always have. I didn't meet any others growing up and as it's never been really trendy it doesn't date. Plus it has good associations like eleanor of Aquitaine and Eleanor Roosevelt. I was an Ellie growing up but have gone back to Eleanor for work.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

If you've got even the slightest doubts let alone anxiety. I think that says that the name isn't for you, but that's just MHO.
What are the cons to the other names?
A lot of Mnetters put up pics of their babies to ask opinions on what name suits their little one. Someone could suggest a name that you haven't even thought of.

[Paperbacked]

I can't be the only one who saw the thread title and thought for one horrible moment that you were thinking of calling your baby Anxiety?

Raises hand. Me too. Along the lines of Tess of the D'Urbervilles naming her ill-fated baby Sorrow.

[BertrandRussell]

I had that problem with a thread asking about Anaglypta recently..........

[LyraAureliaFreyaRose]

How did you get on with settling on the name?

I am currently having HUGE anxiety at the moment regarding my babies name.

She was Lyra all pregnancy and, in my head, loved the name. How it looked when written down and it’s meaning.

Now….I have had my daughter. All I could hear in the delivery room was liar liar liar in my head. Felt pressured to announce name but still didn’t feel right but my partner loved it.

Have put off doing the birth certificate because of my doubts. Her middle names are Rose Aurelia. Aurelia because of the golden sunrise that appeared when she was born.

Am thinking of changing the Lyra part of the name to Freya as it has a much softer sound but my partner doesn’t love it so much and says it with a bit of sadness.

My daughter is a month old now so need to make a quick decision! Any advice would help!

[LyraAureliaFreyaRose]

I am currently having HUGE anxiety at the moment regarding my babies name.

She was Lyra all pregnancy and, in my head, loved the name. How it looked when written down and it’s meaning.

Now….I have had my daughter. All I could hear in the delivery room was liar liar liar in my head. Felt pressured to announce name but still didn’t feel right but my partner loved it.

Have put off doing the birth certificate because of my doubts. Her middle names are Rose Aurelia. Aurelia because of the golden sunrise that appeared when she was born.

Am thinking of changing the Lyra part of the name to Freya as it has a much softer sound but my partner doesn’t love it so much and says it with a bit of sadness.

My daughter is a month old now so need to make a quick decision! Any advice would help!

[TeenMinusTests]

It's a lovely name. Eleanor of Acquitane, Eleanor Roosevelt.

[WashableVelvet]

I never ‘just knew’ with our kids’ names! But now I love the names because I love the people the babies have become.

Eleanor is gorgeous.

[Luredbyapomegranate]

It’s a lovely name - a great classic with lots of short forms - (Nell, Lena, Ella Nora, etc) - lots of amazing Eleanors in history, from Aquitaine to Roosevelt.

There’s not other name you specifically want to use, why don’t you add in two middle names to give her options eg Eleanor Alice Rose.

And if the anxiety continues - see your GP.

[Elisemum]

Eleanor is a very nice name. But if you don’t like it change it, it’s not too late.
However I will never understand how can people not decide on a name during 9 months of pregnancy?! I mean it’s 9 months not make a decision, not 9 days… hundreds of not thousands names to chose from and people still can’t decide lol

[Summerdayshaze]

Keep it and Nell is a beautiful diminutive. Or Norie.

[WhoppingBigBackside]

Nowt wrong with Eleanor. nn Nell is nice
Best wishes

[DotDotDotDotDot]

Zombie thread!!!

[Cbeebiesrehab]

@LyraAureliaFreyaRose make a new thread I’m sure a lot of people will offer advice.

[Elspethelf]

Eleanor is a beautiful name. We all felt her nn would be Elle but her older brother couldn’t pronounce her name and called her La. She is 13 now and the whole family still call her La!

If you felt strongly about another name, I would say change it. But since you don’t, you may feel the same uncertainty about the next name.

If having a non popular nn would help, I like Leni as a nn for Eleanor. I like gender neutral though.

Congratulations on your daughter