DH chose daughters name, opinions please

[horsesheep]

I know it's two late to change my daughters name, and this is a pretty pointless post, but it will just confirm what I think people feel about my daughters name or not. DH named her.

I was very ill all throughout my pregnancy and after birth. DD didn't have a name for 4 weeks after birth, it was nearing the time to register her. I said that DH could name her. I was expecting him to let me know what he's decided before he registered her so I can give it the thumbs up or not. I wasn't going to be extremely picky, time wasn't on our side.

A few days later he came home and said that he registered DD. I asked what name he picked and he has picked Mackenzie-May (not actual spelling). I could write a whole page on how I felt about him registering her without even letting me know there was an appointment, or even letting me know her name! But this isn't a rant I was just wondering everyone's views on her name. Not something I would of gone for imo, but i now can't imagine her not being Mackenzie.

I think it's fine. Mackenzie wouldn't be my choice but it's a name, surname as first names are fairly popular. It's not like it's Denim-Blu or something!

Macie, Maisy, Mimi etc all fine as nicknames.

I'd change it. But I don't understand the trend for '(male) surname' names (especially for girls), with so many lovely actual names to choose from. And it does act as a class marker - I hate both the word 'chav' and the concept, but names of this kind are specific to particular social groups and not found at all in others, and I am guessing that the naming in this case is not a deliberate identification with a social group. I just don't think she'll thank you for it.

If you like Mackenzie just dump the May. The double barrel is truly ghastly.

And don’t let your DH choose the next one.

Did you not short list names before the birth? We had some where we disagreed but we both knew each others' preferences, even if we hadn't decided in advance (which we did). Assuming he knew your thoughts, it seems really odd he'd go against them - or if you really hadn't discussed it, it's equally weird to do his own thing! But either way - she now has a name and you seem happy enough with it - I would just go with the flow.

We told my family what we were thinking for DS' name and there were definitely some reservations - but people have since said they can't imagine him being anything else. Either embrace it or lose the hyphen - but I think you're fine.

I also don’t like names with ‘creative’ spellings and as you’ve said it not spelled as you said in your OP I’m wondering whether the spelling he used might also affect my opinion

This

I think it’s quite a trendy name at the moment, even more so with the tacked on May.

As someone who had a similarly fashionable name for my decade of birth, I really tried to give my dc names which won’t date in the same way.

I think it's cute. A friend with a DD called Mackenzie shortens it to 'Kenzie'.

Call your baby whatever name you'd like her to be called. It doesn't matter if it's a true short name for her given name. If you want to call her Maisie or Macey then start doing so now.
Whatever you do, drop the hyphen.

Agree Kenzie is nice.

I really like it, just don’t use the may part as it’s a bit of a mouthful
Mackenzie is a lovely name, I like Kenzi or maci as a nickname

My immediate impression of Mckenzie was No I don't like it, but within the few minutes of reading the thread it's actually really grown on me

My exact thoughts!

I don’t think I could change a 17-month old baby’s name unless it was truely awful or I really hated it. I would be very tempted to alter it though. I think in your position I might drop the May (or move to middle name), sort out any spelling issues and accept Mackenzie.

On the positive side, at least she won’t be known as Mackenzie First-letter-of-surname for the 14 years she’s at school, like all the Evies, Poppys and Annabelles at the DC’s school!

I think they are both lovely names with lots of scope for nicknames but I hate the hyphen.
Disclaimer - I’m from Northumberland when it is traditional to use surnames as given names so hold no truck with claims of it being ‘chavy‘ or a ‘new trend’. Ymmv

Kenzie used to be a common name in Scotland for boys - I know of a few who are around 60. Don’t think it’s so common now.

Mackenzie is not my cup of tea usually but after thinking about it, it has grown on me. I think Kenzie's really nice too. To be honest though OP, if you really can't imagine your daughter having this name for the rest of her life, change it now. She's at an age where she would be able to learn her new name.

I think it’s lovely, and as she gets older you’ll all find a shortened version you like, and then only use the full name to let her know she’s in trouble😉

I would definitely consider officially changing her name to drop the May. Easy to do and pretty much keeps the main name he chose but without the rather dated aspect. You could keep it as a middle name.

What name do you actually call her yourself OP?
I would drop thé May. MacKenzie is nice.
Surely your dd will recognise her own name by now?

Jam, is it traditional for both sexes?

I just think there is potential for her to be on here in 30 years' time (like all the threads with posters saying 'I have a very 60s/70s name and hate it') saying 'I have a very 2010s name and hate it'.

I like Mackenzie, especially that it has a lot of possibilities for shortened versions & nicknames. Zee!

I quite like Mackenzie on its own. If I was called Mackenzie I’d like the nickname Mac, that’s cool!

When I was born, I wasn't expected to survive past a few days, my parents had lost their previous baby shortly after birth and they thought I had same condition. This was 55 years ago, so not the extensive tests available now. Mum was in a rough way so dad went ahead and registered my name before I died (obviously I didn't). Everyone else hated my first name and I was raised on my middle name instead. My parents apparently never argued - except over that.

Why do parents give their child a hyphenated name then not use it? Would be easier to have first and second name instead. I'm not sure a lot of people know what the hyphen means!

I think it's really nice and unusual enough that she won't have lots of children with the same name in her class. Maisie is a nice nickname (it echoes the May bit of her name) or Kenzie could be too.

I wasn't sure about the name when I first read it, but thinking about it since it really grew on me and I started to think it was lovely.

I'd have been pissed off with my partner for choosing and registering the name without running it past me first, though!

Congratulations op on your lovely 17 month old and how annoying your dh did this !

Problem is names mean different things to different people and we do not all know who we are etc etc. I personally don’t know any Mckenzies and I am sorry but I find the name ‘made up’ and just bit ‘naff’ is word I would use. Names are so class indicative ir class striving in the uk aren’t they ?

I agree with other comments about the -may not helping. However that is Just me.

What really matters is you and your dh. You might both love it in which case stick with it.

Not too late ever to change a name.

Oh dear, that is awful and really chavvy. No way would I hire someone with that name. For your DD’s benefit I suggest you at least drop the hyphenated part.

Jam, is it traditional for both sexes?

Certainly as a middle name. I have a family surname as a middle names. My dad only has brothers but my grandmother and all her sisters had surnames as middle names. I know a few younger women (under 30ish) with surnames as first names which I guess is a case of tradition being conveniently fashionable, like calling your ds a ‘family names’ such as jack or harry after some long dead relative, but not bothering quite so much when the relative is called Bernard or Keith.