Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Should I change my baby’s name?

92 replies

Lau89 · 30/04/2021 14:29

I’ve recently given birth to a baby (girl) and in my hormonal/ sleep deprived state rushed into making a decision on her name. We chose the name Quinn which I do like but I’m now unsure if it’s the right name for her. It doesn’t help when people keep thinking she is a little boy when I say her name. Her sister has a more girly/pretty name and I am now thinking we should have named her something similar. I know it can be changed up until shes 12 months but her old name will always be first on the birth certificate. Help!!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Pinkmagic1 · 30/04/2021 17:51

I love it. It's a cool name and a little edgy, without being really out there.
If you like it, don't let others put you off. As for the quim association, it is a very old word and not used in modern language. I would be surprised if any kids would make the connection. My dd's name is also the name of a brand of contraceptive pill. She is a teen now and has never been teased because of this.

YellowGlasses · 30/04/2021 17:54

I’d change it and I say this as someone who saw a boy at school horrendously bullied for a slang name that was phrased similarly close to his genitals. Quinn is just too close to quim, especially for a girl.

Standrewsschool · 30/04/2021 21:48

When you look at your dc, can you imagine calling her anything else, or is she Quinn in your mind?

Standrewsschool · 30/04/2021 21:49

Never heard of the slang reference. Plenty of boys are named William (including Prince William) despite the obvious Willy abbreviation.

clpsmum · 30/04/2021 22:00

I adore Quinn it is so cool. If I had a girl tomorrow I would call her Quinn, you've inspired me. Congratulations btw

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 30/04/2021 22:03

is quinn's sister's name Audrey?

NameChangedForThisFeb21 · 30/04/2021 22:04

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

is quinn's sister's name Audrey?
Weren’t they twins? With an older sister with an A name? I remember those threads too Grin.
Bostonbullsmumma · 30/04/2021 22:17

Agree with others- I love the name! Was one of my top names for a girl (didn't see it as a boys name and therefore never used it!). I think it takes a while for a baby to suit their name. I absolutely loved the name I picked for my DS before I had him and spent ages looking at him thinking I don't think he suits his name!! He most definitely does now- it just takes a while to get use to their name! I think if I had changed it, which I did consider, I would have regretted it!

partyatthepalace · 30/04/2021 23:03

It’s quite a strong flavour of a name, so if you aren’t sure about it, probably best to switch. You could keep Quinn as a middle name. Do you have a name in mind?

user1493494961 · 30/04/2021 23:10

I would change it, it isn't a particularly nice name boy or girl. I know a 5 year old boy called Quinn, his Mum calls him Quinny.

Boxtroll · 30/04/2021 23:59

I have a "boys" name. It's not so bad now because of a certain Ms Swift, people are used to the name. However in the 90s, I was always the only one.
As a child, whenever someone read my name they would always assume I would be a boy. Then would be surprised when I wasn't Grin

I think Quinn is an ok name. I have only ever heard it be used for girls before

Violetlavenders · 01/05/2021 07:35

I would definitely change it. It's easy within the first 12 months

Quinn sounds very masculine like Finn or Flynn. I only know boys called Quinn, either as a stand-alone name or as a nickname for Quentin.

Do you have another name n mind?

Lau89 · 01/05/2021 20:09

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I do still like the name Quinn and she does suit it.
However, there is a part of me that keeps wanting to call her something more girly. I find myself racking my brain for a “cuter” nickname for Quinn.

The other name I really like is Mila which is more girly like her sisters name.

OP posts:
MalagaNights · 02/05/2021 22:31

Quinn is cool for a girl.
A bit like Harper, which I also like.

It's strong but quirky.

You will have to decide if you can live with the boy presumption though, at least until it becomes obvious she's not a boy.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 02/05/2021 23:27

While Mila is quite trendy, I slightly prefer it to Quinn personally (but that is just because I'm usually less keen on unisex names, plus I did make the quim connection on reading the name).

BUT if it makes you feel better, I wouldn't be at all surprised at meeting a female Quinn (I think thanks to Glee it's quite well known for girls too, even outside the US?).

Ikeameatballs · 02/05/2021 23:48

I think Quinn is cute in itself. I don’t think it needs a nn.

I don’t like Mila, it looks like milia, which is another term for those little sweat spots, and it’s another Mia/Mya/Maya sounding name.

elliemara · 03/05/2021 00:55

I think Quinn is much cuter than Mila!

clpsmum · 03/05/2021 05:27

Not mila that's awful and so many of them. Quinn is beautiful

Violetlavenders · 03/05/2021 06:27

Mila is beautiful and feminine.

Quinn is strong and masculine sounding (like Finn)

Peachbubble · 03/05/2021 06:35

As you say you still like it and it suits her, I'd keep it. Does she already have a middle name? If so, that gives you the option of using that if you change your mind later.
FWIW, I know a female adult Quinn, so to me it's a girl's name.

AuntieStella · 03/05/2021 07:22

As younare finding out, many people see it as a masculine name, and that's something your DD will have to live with.

If you'd rather she didn't, then change her name sooner than later.

I suspect that as you're posted about a change, your mind is mostly made up. It's OK to change.

Mandalay246 · 03/05/2021 07:22

I prefer Quinn to Mila, which is far more common. I have a name which is traditionally male (more so than Quinn) and it doesn't bother me at all. Ultimately it is up to you, but I think it would be silly to change it simply because of others' reactions.

Violetlavenders · 03/05/2021 07:37

but I think it would be silly to change it simply because of others' reactions.

The op's dd may not like it that many people see Quinn as a masculine name. You can't ignore others' reactions.

earthyfire · 04/05/2021 01:23

I think it's nice but I would assume it was a boy and NN for Tarquin.
I wouldn't let people put you off if oyu really love the name. Someone tried to put me off my DD name and 11 years on I am so glad I went for the name I loved as it suits her.

LizJamIsFab · 04/05/2021 01:49

Is it a family name? Or linked to you somehow?

If I heard the name I’d assume more likely a surname, then a boy but also can imagine as a girl’s first name too.

I regret letting my DH pick one of my children’s names without it being my choice (I didn’t veto it). He is 8 now and it is his name and I love him. Make sure you are 100%.

Swipe left for the next trending thread