Picked an unusual-ish name and now regret it, should I change her name?

[AshleighT85]

Hi, really struggling here, so don't be too harsh. Tried talking to my mum about it and got "you had 9 months to name her, then a further few weeks" I know that. I did spend ages and ages going through names, but there wasn't any that I absolutely fell in love with, the name I ended up going with cane to me from watching a horror TV series, which I'd never admit! it's not unusual, unusual, but you don't hear it much now. It's in the 300ths for names, so it is known... I haven't had 1 positive response "oh" is my most common response, followed by "it doesn't matter what she's called, she's beautiful" to try and cover up the fact they hate it. I just seem to be regretting it a lot, the more and more I look at her, the less I like it and the more I start to think I can't have you with that name, etc.

It would be changed to Olivia.

My two granddaughters have what I'd call old fashioned names, and as babies I thought what the heck has DD done calling them that But actually now they are feisty funny full of life and personality toddlers, their names really suit them. They just weren't baby names and they needed to grow into them, if that makes sense. Now I think DD was so so right calling them what she did and I can't imagine them being anything else.

You chose a lovely name OP. Nothing to regret there at all.

Up here folks would think Roberts.

Obviously more forgiving where you live!!

Also, if you want to get trampled to death, cover yourself with glitter and scream "Olivia!" in your nearest shopping centre..... common as mud.

I love Audrey please don’t change it!!! Please we’re just surprised, bet they grow to love it. I know a ten year old Audrey and I thought ‘what?!’ When she was named but now I think it’s fabulous!

One of mine has an unusual name which his dad was keen on and which seemed like a good idea at the time. It's Scottish and the spelling baffles people. He likes it, but found it a hassle having to explain. Since secondary school he has used a very common English name instead. No deed poll necessary - just told the school. Plenty of people do this eg anglicisations of Indian names are very common.

Both Audrey and Olivia are nice names. Another way of customising "Audrey" could be to call her "Drey" - that would be pronounced "Dray", which sounds modern and kind of cool. Just another option to have in n hand, for her or you.

Audrey is a fabulous name! Don't change it for another boring Olivia!

If it makes you feel better it's not even unusual in Ireland

Of course absolutely up to you but I think Audrey is a beautiful name, and v classy. I actually think Olivia is also a lovely name but there are a million little Livvies as it’s been so popular for ages. My name was a top 5 for ages when I was growing up so I always end up having to tack on an initial to differentiate me from others or accidentally answering when people are taking to someone else!

Love Audrey! Don’t change her name to something as dull as Olivia- nice name but it just screams ‘get some imagination!’. There are far too many!

Audrey is a beautiful name. Olivia is also lovely, but it's the most popular name atm, so there may be lots around.

I think Audrey is fine but if you’re not feeling it then up to you, best to change when very young. I’m really surprised at people saying it’s unusual and even vintage! I know there’s the Hepburn effect but I am early 30s and had loads of Audreys at school and everyone I know has an aunty audrey! It’s sort of a Linda/Karen type name to me, relatively recently popular, not currently popular but not old enough to be classic or vintage like Iris etc. I don’t hate it at all but probably would be surprised to hear a baby called it nowadays. I think it’s really hard to name a baby OP. Does she have a middle name?

I am another one who think Audrey is a lovely name.

I love Audrey. A while ago I was with DP when we heard the name somewhere and he said, "Audrey, that's a lovely name." I'd never really thought about it but he alerted me to it and I love it.
But, you need to feel comfortable. Maybe the comments here will help you with that but if not I'd go with a change.

Another one to add that Audrey is lovely & i’m Sure she will grow into it

Not read whole thread but we changed our son's name at about 3 /4 months. We told everyone that we liked the name but it just didn't seem to be his name. When I said this in my NCT a couple of other mum's expressed doubts/ concerns about their kid's names too. One said she didn't like her son's name but couldn't think of anything she liked better to change it too. A couple of mum's told me they knew people who had changed their babies first names too.
Its' fine. I am really happy with DS's new name real. If you are not happy, just change it. its' fine. It's simple. And it made an interesting conversation starter when meeting new mum's for quite a while : )

I love Audrey, please keep it! Olivia is also a lovely name but Audrey has more 'edge'

My second daughter has an unusual name, I would also say it's an adult name rather than a little girl name and at first, I would be a bit embarrassed to tell folk her name. But she's so grown into it, and I actually like that it's relatively unusual and suits her as she's quite 'spirited' (ie. bonkers).

Sorry to not read all posts but just to say LOVE Audrey! Really like it, pretty, little bit edgy, unusual. Def stick with it!

I love Audrey!!!!

It’s beautiful, please keep it!
All three of my dc have uncommon names. Not wacky
names, just names (like Audrey) which mean they’ve always been the only one in a class. I love that

I love the name Audrey!

However, if you really want to change it you have until baby is a year old to legally change it on her birth certificate.

Aubrey isn't a boys' name. I know two little girls with the name and no boys!
Agree that Olivia is a bit over popular now. But I do love Aubrey like other posters have suggested.

It's lovely.
I think of it as a "grown up" name rather than a baby name but we spend so little time as babies!
Dree rather than Drey as a short version as that's how Audrey is said.

Please don’t change her name from Audrey to Olivia! Olivia is nice enough but omg it’s sooooo run of the mill now, there will be three in every class when she starts school. Audrey is not only lovely, but she’ll likely be the only one. Much better!

Audrey >>>>>>>>>>> Olivia

P.s One of my besties is called Audrey - she is cool and funny and really suits her name. Xx

Wow what rude, ignorant people you know! I suspect most of your wobbles about the name are down to the negative responses you have had. But here you have 6 pages of overwhelmingly positive responses. Do you think if people in real life had responded in the same way as posters on here have done you would still want to change it? Maybe you need to change your friends, not your baby's name.

Audrey is a lovely classy name and your baby will "grow" into it. I think Olivia is getting a bit stale now. It's been popular for over 20 years.