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Baby names

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

Original poster

Anyone ever changed baby's name after announcing?

26 replies

Fizzywizzywoo · 17/07/2020 05:07

Baby born in early May, couldn't register birth due to Covid. Registration booked for Monday 20th and having doubts about her name! Could just be because I'm sleep deprived and thus spiralling, but I only ever refer to her as "the baby" and have to think for a second when someone asks her name. I've told everyone her name already. Has anyone ever changed their mind in between announcing the birth and registering the legal name? I'm not sure I could handle telling everyone I've changed my mind after ten weeks of one name!

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isabellerossignol · 17/07/2020 05:09

My friend did. It was fine, everyone got used to it within a few weeks. Smile

OhMyDarling · 17/07/2020 05:11

Yeah it’s fine!!
I want to know the names though!

greytminds · 17/07/2020 05:18

My friend did after a whole year! Slightly bonkers but better than living with a bad decision! Just go ahead and change it.

Celticdawn5 · 17/07/2020 05:24

This happened to me. After nearly a year of calling me one name, my parents changed my name to a more unusual, less common name.I only found this out in my teens.

TenShortStories · 17/07/2020 05:44

The only thing that would put me off changing it would be the record of the old name and any potential faffy paper work for the child in the future... but you won't have that as they aren't registered yet. Go for it, I'd say.

floralf · 17/07/2020 05:46

I reckon it's ideal timing because you haven't registered the baby yet, it's still early days x

Sloth007 · 17/07/2020 05:52

I think it’s perfectly fine to change it when it’s a baby. And a perfect time to do it with the registration. Make a formal announcement after you register the name, just to make it clear to everyone and formalise it.

lookoutfor · 17/07/2020 05:55

I know someone who did it and I didn't bat an eyelid. Just do it OP, you'll likely regret it otherwise.

Jocundest · 17/07/2020 05:55

You haven’t even registered her — absolutely don’t feel constrained by having announced a different name. Having said that, all names on babies need some getting used to — our DS was definitely ‘the baby’ or his in utero nickname for months.

worstwitch18 · 17/07/2020 06:40

If you haven't registered her yet, do it! Presuming that the baby's father (if he is on the scene) is on the same page.

ColdCottage · 17/07/2020 06:45

My parents did this with me. My hospital wrist band has a different name. A friend did this with her son who is now 6. Announced on FB then 6 weeks later started to refer to child with a new name. No big deal.

PlantPotting · 17/07/2020 07:27

It's really not a big deal. No one is as interested in your child's name as you are, I promise they'll barely give it a second thought

That said- do you have a name you're set on? Unless you're really set on an alternative, the same thing might keep happening because an adult name on a baby always feels a bit weird for a while. What's your new name idea?

Do you have a partner? What do they say about changing name as they'll have to agree

Finally, name regret can be a sign of PND so keep an eye out for that

Wingingthis · 17/07/2020 09:12

Yes me! Exact same circumstances re Covid delaying registration etc. So glad I changed it :)

pinkpinecone · 17/07/2020 10:16

If you're not happy then I'd change it. It'll be a quirky story to tell them when they're older. Maybe keep the original as a middle name?

Beautiful3 · 17/07/2020 10:19

Yes I did this! I could not use her name, kept calling her the baby! Changed it to a different name, felt okay calling her it. Strange isnt it. But if you want to change it then do it before you register the birth. Just text family and update face book with the new name.

Pegaroo · 18/07/2020 07:23

My mum changed my name after a week. I was Adele and she downgraded me to the Uber chavvy Leeann.

I have always felt I was in the wrong name, but it would have been weird to change it as an adult.

Just do it will be fine

Keyperfect · 18/07/2020 07:32

I did, about a month ago, and very similar circumstances to you, OP. As PP said, noone else really cares that much about your baby's name ultimately, but it needs to feel right to you. I was slightly worried about how people would react but it's been totally fine. The new name has just clicked much better for me and I've kept the original name as middle name, so there is always the option to call her by that in the future if we change our minds again!

emilybrontescorsett · 18/07/2020 07:37

Pegaroo out of interest did your mum use Adele as a middle name?

897654321abcvrufhfgg · 18/07/2020 07:42

My friend did at 6 months. She discovered a name she thought suited daughter better

Pegaroo · 18/07/2020 07:56

No she left me without a middle name.....I would have liked a middle to fall back on.

My mum was put off Adele when a stranger in the street told he it wS ghastly....rather than questioning a weird random woman’s opinion she questioned her own taste....poor old mum!

Bellag79 · 18/07/2020 08:02

My cousin did, we were pregnant at the same time. She had her baby first and named her, then asked me what I was planning on calling mine. I told her the name I was going to use and a few days later her baby's name changed to what I was going to name mine!!!

emilybrontescorsett · 18/07/2020 08:55

That's unfortunate Pegaroo I like Adele.

Pegaroo · 18/07/2020 10:23

Me too 😂

Keyperfect · 22/07/2020 07:29

How annoying for you Bella79!

OP, did you register your baby?

Singinghollybob · 22/07/2020 18:03

Yes its definitely fine! My parents changed my name inbetween announcing it and registering the new name a month later