Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Change of name

35 replies

mumumof2 · 29/10/2019 15:45

My baby is 3 weeks old and I'm worried that I've picked the wrong name.

I don't want to say what the name is as I don't want to read any comments that could make me feel worse.
Would anyone consider changing their baby's name? Birth has already been registered.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
FizzyGreenWater · 29/10/2019 15:55

It's not really a problem before a year. You just get the birth certificate changed.

You could make the changeover more 'gentle' by adding a first name, and relegating the current first name to the middle.

So say she's Sophie Anna Brown, she becomes Matilda Sophie Anna Brown.

Then you just announce it and in a month everyone will have forgotten!

HarryRug · 29/10/2019 15:58

Give it a bit more time. I felt like this with names for all my DC. Then over the months they began to fit the DC and now I’m so glad we didn’t change any. Looking back I was very sleep deprived and hormonal and generally unable to make decisions rather than anything being wrong with the name. This may not apply to you at all but just another viewpoint. Hope it helps and congratulations on your baby.

FizzyGreenWater · 29/10/2019 16:06

You could post the name options OP, along with any reason why you feel the way you do? Folk are a lot more kind with names that are already given! - and it might help you work through the logic of why you would have chosen the name three weeks ago and what has changed?

Original poster
mumumof2 · 29/10/2019 16:26

Ok, so I picked a name that I have really liked for years. Very uncommon, almost unheard of in the UK (where I live) but used in the USA as a girls name.

On baby name websites it was shown as being a girls name only. However, after choosing the name and registering the birth, I found out that the name is considered to be only a boys name in several parts of Europe.

Since finding this out I have been worried sick that I've given her a name that is considered masculine. Don't want her to be teased or dislike her name.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 29/10/2019 16:47

What is the name? Appreciate however that if it's unusual you might not want to say - but here would be a good place for you to get opinions on if the name is generally seen as a boy's name.

HJWT · 29/10/2019 17:07

@mumumof2 totally get how you feel, I loved DS name for a long time until I posted it on MN and was told it was really chavvy and he would be "walking round with a spliff in his mouth" soon realised it was all the posh tw.ts from down south who thought that and said sod you all & used it😏

There are so many different names being used these days! Stick with what you love 💕

Kublai · 29/10/2019 17:19

Depends what the name is. I have 3 dc and don’t particularly like one of their names but it is not a weird/marmite name so wouldn’t change it and they like it. You need to say what the name is, you could change the name but the dc might end up preferring the original.

Jossina · 29/10/2019 17:25

Give it some time. Let the baby and you grow into the name a bit and stop worrying so much about what others think. Every child is going to be teased for something in their life.

Original poster
mumumof2 · 29/10/2019 17:27

@FizzyGreenWater can I pm you?

OP posts:
PopeHalloweerious · 29/10/2019 17:32

Aubrey?

Original poster
mumumof2 · 29/10/2019 17:32

@HJWT People can be so rude when they disagree with your choice. That's why I didn't want to put the name on here.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 29/10/2019 17:37

@mumumof2 yes of course Flowers

Wale90 · 29/10/2019 17:40

I'm so intrigued by the name. We have given our daughter a very unusual/rare name, I believe it to be more American but definitely has more male connotations over here.

Momniscient · 29/10/2019 17:42

It honestly depends. There are some names that don't "translate" well, but also some are totally fine. I have a name that is a man's name in some countries but female here - foreign colleagues sometimes get a surprise, and I get the occasional "Mr" in the post but it hardly affects my life. On the flip side, there aren't many male Lesley's about nowadays...

What is it? Difficult to call without knowing it.

NationMcKinley · 29/10/2019 17:44

I’m guessing (wildly) that it’s Sasha. FWIW I think that it’s a fabulous name and was on my list for a girl (all boys here!)

Yutes · 29/10/2019 17:44

Remember why you loved the name

BettyCrockaShit · 29/10/2019 17:49

I really hope her name is James, and it so is definitely keep it!

Voiletgold · 29/10/2019 18:15

I'm soooo intrigued to know the name too. If you like then keep it, don't take any notice of what other people say. If you really want to change it just change it. What does your partner think? There will never be one name that everybody likes

Refilona · 29/10/2019 18:19

I find unisex names really cool. I have named my girl a unisex name. Wait a little longer, i found it very strange to name my daughter as you basically make up the name this little human will be known as for the rest of their lives! And you’re probably sleep deprived and hormonal, if you’ve always loved the name stick to it for now!

Omashu · 29/10/2019 18:21

Feel free to PM me too! I’m dying to know as I looove the type of name you’ve described! I’ll tell you my dd’s super rare name in return hehe 😛

Cbeebiesrehab · 29/10/2019 18:25

I’m guessing Aubrey. Don’t let others opinions/potential opinions sway you OP. There is so much variety when it comes to names nowadays children are rarely teased for their names, and if they are the problem doesn’t lie with your child. Perfectly normal names also have plenty of teasing potential Will-Bum (William) Smelly Ellie...so you can’t guarantee they won’t be teased whatever you call them. Be kind to yourself OP and have confidence in your decision.

Fairybobbin · 29/10/2019 22:44

We changed the spelling of my daughter's name when she was 16 weeks. I was so scared and embarrised, but it was fine! Everyone was supportive and it was no big deal. It was 100% the right decision. So don't feel like you have to live with it and make the best of it. Don't be be afraid to make the change if it feels right. Feel free to PM me

Sleeplessnights1234 · 29/10/2019 22:51

What's the name? My son has an uncommon name, but we love it and couldn't imagine him as another name.

Ellmau · 30/10/2019 01:05

We need to know the name to give a sensible opinion as to whether you should change it or not, as some possibilities might have the problems you are concerned about, and others not. Is it common in European countries many of whose nationals now live in the UK, or where your DD might end up living herself? (I don't think it can be Aubrey as two people have suggested, as that's a boy's name here and not in other European countries.)

Luca? I would think of that as a boy's name, I must admit.

Nikita? Might be less of an issue.

Thenamedame · 30/10/2019 08:18

Also desperate to know the name but without knowing it I would say don't concern yourself about which countries gender it which way. Little girls called Wyatt, Max and James etc is a thing now. If you love it and it suits your baby then just hold on to it. If however you really feel it was a mistake, change it. I have done it more than once inside the first 6 weeks and yes it was awkward letting people know BUT I'm so glad I did it

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.