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Original poster

I think I want to change DD's name...

166 replies

AutumnName · 28/08/2017 20:11

DD was born on Halloween (2016) and I named her Autumn. I really like the look of it and the sound of it in my head. Since using it as a name, it doesn't seem to work as well as it did in my head? Lots of people don't get it. My mum actually makes jokes about it - "I can't wait to see my grandaughter who hasn't got a proper name" or she directly speaks to her and says "you might as well have been named 'Season'". No one else really says anything, but I feel like they think the same. I'm just really close to my mum, so she probably feels like she can say it.

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stellarfox · 28/08/2017 22:33

If you still love the name keep it. Try not to worry about other people's opinions. They'll get used to it!

absolutelynoway · 28/08/2017 22:33

Your mum needs to be told to pipe down. Why do you put up with that shit from her?

Autumn is a really beautiful name. Please don't change it certainly not to Violet

Glowinginthedark · 28/08/2017 22:34

Autumn is a lovely name

chips4teaplease · 28/08/2017 22:34

I'm a monster re names. Honestly, I'm so strict and cruel. But I think 'Autumn' is lovely.

A very old song.

AngelaTwerkel · 28/08/2017 22:42

Your mum is totally out of order - how rude.

Why aren't you called Matilda? She had her chance! Tell her to wind her neck in.

Autumn is lovely, and not "out there" in thr slightest.

CotedePablo · 28/08/2017 22:48

I'm just really close to my mum, so she probably feels like she can say it.

I'm really close to my daughters, but I would never think that I should choose the names of my grandchildren, and I could never hurt them by saying such nasty things about their choices. Some of the names (I've got quite a few grandchildren) I've liked more than others, but I would never ever say anything, and, anyway, over time, a child's name becomes part of them.

Out of interest, OP, do you like the name your mother chose for you - or did your grandmother choose it?

CotedePablo · 28/08/2017 22:48

PS - Autumn is a beautiful name.

Maybebaby2 · 28/08/2017 22:48

Your mum will find fault with any name that's not Matilda so changing dd's name to Violet won't help. You will only be swapping comments like "may as well been called season" for "may as well been called violin" or similar ridiculous comments.
The issue you have is not with the name Autumn, which is lovely, it's with your mum. How you resolve that I don't know, but certainly not by changing dd's name.

Ohyesiam · 28/08/2017 22:52

You could always tell your mum to keep her opinions to herself?
It's a really beautiful name.

SuperBeagle · 28/08/2017 23:33

You'll get comments from rude gits no matter what the name is, OP.

The first thing my grandmother said when I told her my DD's name was Emilia was, "Horrible. Sounds like mealy-mouthed".

All you can do is choose a name that you and your partner like. There's nothing wrong with the name Autumn. It's a known name, spelt correctly, not trendy enough to date etc. So don't worry about what your mother is saying, although, echoing others' thoughts, she doesn't sound like a particularly nice person.

Ttbb · 28/08/2017 23:43

I think that autumn is lovely. Worst case scenario she can move to America.

Hmmalittlefishy · 29/08/2017 01:11

I think it's a beautiful name. Don't change it although violet is also pretty. From the sounds of it your mother will make mean comments whatever the name.
I think I would say 'mum her name is autumn it won't be changing as dh and I chose it and love it. If you can't stop making mean and inappropriate comments about our choice and accept our little girls name maybe you had better not see her quite so often'

joangray38 · 29/08/2017 01:16

Your mum named her children, she's had her chance. If she likes Matilda so much she can get a pet and call it Tilly. Autumn is a beautiful name and you chose it for your daughter. Don't let her spoil it for you.

PersisFord · 29/08/2017 03:44

It's lovely. Change it if you want to but I wouldn't. I would just roll my eyes every time your mum says anything and say to your daughter "oh dear Autumn, Nanny's still going on about your lovely name, it is boring isn't it?"

Nothing wrong with Matilda or Violet.....but Autumn is about 50 times prettier.

newbian · 29/08/2017 03:55

You have a mother problem, not a name problem. Autumn is lovely, your mother is not!

Pallisers · 29/08/2017 04:25

Autumn is lovely.

Tell your mother to go ahead and have another baby and call her Matilda.

Seriously, stop taking your mum so seriously and start taking the piss out of her. If you are close like you say, she'll be fine with it. Next time she goes on about the name say "mum, it isn't too late, you can squeeze another baby out and call her whatever you want but this one is called Autumn" or "god mum I"m beginning to worry about you and Autumn's name - please tell me you aren't dementing yet".

YOu are a mum now. Your mum is a grandmother. You need - and I mean this kindly - to be an adult and not give a fuck about what your mum thinks about a name.

User24689 · 29/08/2017 05:32

I've taught 2 Autumns, it really isn't that unusual. One we joked about a bit (good naturedly) because her best friend in the same class was Summer! Grin

If I was introduced to an Autumn I wouldnt think it was odd at all.

I much prefer it to Matilda (and don't like Tilly at all). I think Autumn is an elegant, strong name. I also prefer it to Violet.

Btw, my DD has a top 10 name but I didn't feel like it was 'her' name at all until she was probably a few months old. I think sometimes names seem too big for babies and you just aren't used to saying it aloud until you introduce them to other people because you have no need to call them. You arent shouting it up the stairs or trying to get their attention like you would be when they're older! I would stick with it. Your mum does need a stern word though.

Susiethetortoiseshellcat · 29/08/2017 06:41

Autumn is not an unusual name and it is definitely a name, a very pretty one. Your mum is being extremely rude. I actually know 2 little Autumns and loads of Summers as well and no-one has ever questioned their names. Hasn't she heard of Autumn Phillips? Don't give into pressure from your mum. Your dd has a name and you clearly love it so don't change it. You need to speak to your mum. She shouldn't say things like that to your dd as she will feel rejected and start to dislike the name herself.

DuggeeHugs · 29/08/2017 07:26

Autumn is a lovely name and not even that unusual - top 150 in UK and top 100 in USA.

You clearly love her name and you shouldn't feel bullied into changing it. The problem here isn't her name, it is your mother wanting to control it.

grufallosfriend · 29/08/2017 07:36

Please keep Autumn! Your dd is almost a year old and will probably know her name.

Westfacing · 29/08/2017 07:40

Autumn sounds serene and elegant - and as many others have said it's not that unusual.

I wouldn't let your mother's behaviour continue - I think you need to say in a calm and firm manner that she must stop.

Westfacing · 29/08/2017 07:44

Initially I thought that maybe your daughter was only a few days/weeks old (overlooked the Halloween bit!) and that your mother would come to her senses and accept the name - but she's 10 months old and it's very mean of your mother to still be going on about it.

fatfingeredfran · 29/08/2017 07:48

Autumn is a beautiful name! It's very feminine and not too common. I can see why you picked it Grin

It is not common, which is probably why people ask 'as in the season?' And they also may be asking so they know how you are spelling it i.e. Are you spelling it the same way as the season?

Honestly your mum is being very rude and you need to nip it in the bud - next time she comments call her on it.

Thoth · 29/08/2017 07:54

Your mother is being horrible about this. You know, if you changed it to Violet I'm sure she'd still have dogs at you because you're daring to do what you want and not what she wants!
Autumn is lovely, many people's favourite time of year, and relevant to her because of her DoB.
Stick to your guns, and close your mother down when she starts up, each and every time.
No mum, you already got to name a baby.
No mum, her name's Autumn because I love it.
No mum, Matilda isn't a better name than Autumn, her name is lovely.
And on and on.
She'll get the message, and maybe learn that she can't push you around.

My DD's name is an unusual one, and we have had some funny comments- mainly isn't that a boy's name? Confused It's not ! Never has been, is a perfectly valid name (and adored on MN) just not used all that often.
We ignore it- we love the name, that's why we chose it, and it suits our DD down to the ground.

Thoth · 29/08/2017 07:56

*have dogs at you was Have A Go At You

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