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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Should I change it?

65 replies

RandDandC · 30/12/2019 22:44

Hi, my baby is nearly 2 weeks old and after much deliberation (and a previous thread) we decided to name her Briar, however, as much as I love the name something doesn’t feel right. We have had 2 negative comments but I have tried not to let it bother me, we go comments that out first daughters name was too ‘nicknamey’. Should I change it and if yes does anyone have any suggestions?

Surname begins with a D and is 2 syllables, dd1 is called Callie.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MoggTheCat · 30/12/2019 22:46

Briar is an absolutely beautiful name, really pretty. It also goes really well with Callie.

IrnBruTortie · 30/12/2019 22:46

Actually, I love it. And it goes really well with Callie.
Congratulations.

BillywilliamV · 30/12/2019 22:46

Briar is lovely!

Ohyesiam · 30/12/2019 22:47

It’s beautiful, don’t change it.

MoomimWoomin · 30/12/2019 22:48

I have never heard the name Briar and absolutely love it! Congrats on your new baby

GertiMJN · 30/12/2019 23:32

Congratulations on dd 2!

If you genuinely feel the name is not "right" then I don't see a problem with changing it. But don't do it because of the reactions of others.

I don't have any suggestions other than the very literal alternative of Rose.

tamarisk44 · 30/12/2019 23:40

Only change it if YOU don't like it. No-one else matters.

FeigningHorror · 30/12/2019 23:41

Really? It seems a strange choice of botanical name to go for something defined by sharp thorns, invasiveness and a tendency to entangle passersby.

In Ireland describing someone of either sex as ‘a briar’ means they have a sharp tongue and a tendency to pick fights because of it.

I did teach an English Briar-Rose.

meow1989 · 30/12/2019 23:41

I think they're both lovely names op.

DramaAlpaca · 31/12/2019 01:13

I'm sorry, but I'm with FeigningHorror on this. I'm in Ireland and my associations are the same. I find it difficult to imagine such a sharp, prickly name on a baby.

It's in a completely different style to the very sweet and lovely Callie as well.

It's up to you though, OP. If you love it, stick with it. Don't change it because others think you should.

GinghamStyle · 31/12/2019 01:20

How about Bryony/Briony? You can still call her Briar but there’s a longer (more proper?) name behind it. “B” is what we call our friend Bryony.

Gemma2019 · 31/12/2019 02:38

Do you have an alternative name in mind OP?

Astronica · 31/12/2019 04:35

I'm so sorry that a couple of negative comments have been made. I think Briar is quite beautiful and also works beautifully as a sister for Callie. Sometimes when a name is on the unusual side people are surprised and that is expressed as negativity. Sometimes those same people really come to love a name when they have given it time - it's just very unexpected for them. It would be a pity to change it just for that reason. You say that 'something doesn't feel right' and if you continue to feel it's the wrong name then do change it - but I have found that in the first weeks or months, sometimes, nothing feels quite right till it grows to become part of the child.

Only change it if that is really what you want to do. I'm all for changing names when name regret is very real. However just give yourself some time and don't change it if you love the name. Personally I can't think of anything more lovely than Briar, but that's just me.

Poorolddaddypig · 31/12/2019 06:09

I LOVE Briar! I read on another thread a woman who has a daughter called Briar whose nickname was Bea which I also love

custardbear · 31/12/2019 06:13

Go with your gut - I had negative comments about my DD name and it upset me too but she's now 11 and we've always loved her name, so does she

Disfordarkchocolate · 31/12/2019 06:14

I think it's lovely. I don't think of invasive and prickly, I think of strong, vigorous and capable of defending themselves.

Bluerussian · 31/12/2019 08:23

Callie is lovely, it's from the Greek and means 'beautiful'.

" 'Briar' is an English word that means, a thorned shrub. But, usually, Briar is thought of in reference to "The Briar Rose," a Brothers Grimm fairy tale that we know today by the name "Sleeping Beauty." Briar Rose is the name given to the sleeping princess because she is the Rose encased in the castle surrounded by Briar."

Not nice, is she thorny or surrounded by thorns? No thanks. Rose is far better or something completely different.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 31/12/2019 08:26

With names everyone has an opinion. My aunt hates my DDs name and said “it’s ok you can call her by her middle name” ....
Honestly only change it is you and your husband don’t like it.

FluffyEggsontoast · 31/12/2019 08:36

What name would you be changing it to @RandDandC

Original poster

RandDandC · 31/12/2019 09:02

The names we like are:
Tara
Noelle (but a bit put off this since she is a Christmas baby and I don’t want that in her name)
Vivienne (but this might be too long, I like short names)

OP posts:

BlueMoon1103 · 31/12/2019 09:21

This is so sad OP people can be so rude! Only change it for you, not because of what other people think. I ignored everybody when choosing my DS’ name and I’m glad I did because everyone loves the one I chose now and says it really suits him! Your baby, your choice.

Rystall · 31/12/2019 09:55

It depends OP. If you’re having doubts about the name and the negative comments sort of confirmed it, then change it. But if you love the name but are only thinking of changing it because of the comments, then I wouldn’t. Every single name polarises opinion. You’ll never find a name that everyone likes. What if people also don’t like the new name? The names that I think are timeless and classic are always called ‘granny’ and 70s on MN. Usually once you’ve chosen a name, people don’t tend to comment - in real life anyway. The name itself is irrelevant as you’ll never get agreement. Whatever you choose, choose it because you love it. Say it proudly and don’t invite opinions ( after the fact anyway). Good luck OP.

daisypond · 31/12/2019 09:56

I would wonder if you knew what a briar actually was. It’s a thorn. Does that change the association you have? I too would think perhaps you had got muddled with Briar Rose - from the story, or a flower - or perhaps Briony- a plant. But if that’s what you meant, I think it’s OK.

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 31/12/2019 09:58

I love the name. FWIW we named our DD2 something along the same lines, and not very "girly". For the first few weeks I thought we had made the wrong decision, but stuck by it and now 6 years on can't imagine her as anything else.
Ditto DD1 - we loved her name but some others (like DM) hated it. But if you chose the name it's because you loved it! So stick by your guns

GemmeFatale · 31/12/2019 10:19

I named our son a name we liked through my pregnancy. When he was born I wasn’t sure it was right as he was so tiny and the name felt so big for him. It was also the sort of name people say ‘that’s unusual’ about. I considered changing it. I called him baby for months.

Once he got to perhaps five months he somehow grew into his name. He got bigger and stronger and more robust. He developed a personality. We still use a shortening quite often. But now I can’t imagine giving him a different name

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