Huge name regret after Coronavirus

[Holidayseveryday]

I’m posting on here as it’s anonymous and I’m so ashamed to admit I’m thinking of changing my almost 1 year olds name.

I loved earthy and nature names for girls so after a couple of weeks of deliberation once she was born we named her Sage.

Since then a pandemic has happened, and every day at 5pm theres a government press conference where they talk about “SAGE” “what SAGE says” and their “consultations with SAGE”
(SAGE stands for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies.)

All I can think is that from now on for the rest of her life whenever I tell people (or she tells people ) her name is Sage all people will think of is this pandemic and all they will mention is the government advisory committee!

It was already a bit of a marmite name and Ive never had very positive responses to it, even before this.

I could change it to her middle name which is more of a common name. If she grows up to hate her name I will regret not changing it when I had the chance, but then she knows her name would it be cruel and confusing to change it now?

It’s causing me so much mum guilt, anxiety and worry.

Has anyone changed their child’s name? Any thoughts on what I should do?

Thank you in advance

I know 2 people called Sage, one 54 and one 13, neither have mentioned the Corona virus connection, I don’t think there is one !
It’s a beautiful name and it’s original meaning will be the one associated with it .

Nobody’s going to remember SAGE after the epidemic don’t worry.

First thought is Payroll software.

Second is herb.

About 453rd is Coronavirus.

Change it if you don't love it, but not because of this. 12 months from now no one will associate Sage with a pandemic.

Yeah, I think of accountancy software as well... And Sage the (male?) owl from a children's programme on telly when I was growing up.

Also thought you were going to say Corona!

Sage is a beautiful name.

In 5 years no one will even remember any connections with Sage.

I think it depends on why you want to change it.

If you still love the name and the only thing that is upsetting you is the link to the SAGE group then keep it. I don't think people will make the connection.

If you are having second thoughts about the name in general, then change it. From your post I get the feeling that you are (subconciously?) regretting choosing the name and that recent events have made you feel even more strongly. Just change it! No big deal.

You are being ridiculous @Holidayseveryday

People will never associate SAGE with your daughter.

Sage as a name is fine, not my taste but a perfectly good name.

Changing the name of a 1 year old is just daft, she must know her name by now, my 8 month old knows hers. You’ll make yourself sound completely batshit explaining why to all and sundry too as they’d have no idea why.

I don't think most people would link Sage with Coronavirus even now, let alone in years to come.

If you want to change her name then just using her middle name would be the easiest way of doing it, rather than faffing about with the birth certificate. Lots of people go by their middle name.

It doesn't really make me think of anything besides the herb.

And it can't be as bad as these... (or they missed a trick by not including Sage!)

Sage is a beautiful name. I really don’t think people would associate the 2.

Just makes me think of the herb. There’s an American woman on my Instagram with a DS named Sage and I think it’s quite nice. SAGE won’t be in the news even next year so I wouldn’t worry about it.

I think SAGE will be at the front of most minds for years, at least the duration of the legislation, which is 2 years.

I’d change it.

I've known a Sage , late teens now and think it's a great name.

My first thought was Paxo stuffing

Nobody will think that. It wouldn’t even cross my mind.

I wouldn’t even make that connection. Just the herb. It’s a lovely name.

There's nothing wrong with it! It's cool.
Don't go to all the trouble of changing it. You might regret it!

I think of the Simon and Garfunkel song, Parsley sage rosemary and thyme. Love that song, loved The Graduate, so that is my association but then I'm old so by the time she's worrying about it I'll probably be dead or in a home. Sorry not much help, I like it but if you don't then change it now.

Think of my goddaughter who’s name is.....

Isis

The name is fine

I'd think of the herb
or that she is someone who has wisdom - that might be hard to live up to !

I don't think if.the committee either when I see Sage. My first thought is 'experience of sage' as it's on every job advert I seem to read and, secondly, the herb.

I would change it. It’s not a nice name for a girl sorry.

I wouldn’t have got the connection if you hadn’t explained it.

It’s cute calling them sage when their babies, less cute if they go into a serious profession where you need gravitas.

I agree with others, Sage brings the herb to mind, not the advisory group. It is fine as a name. But if it is causing you too much anxiety just change to the middle name, over say 3 weeks so your LO gets used to it.