Should I change my baby’s name?

[Lau89]

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!!!

Didn't you come on Mumsnet a few months ago asking what people thought of Quinn for one twin and many told you it was more a boy's name? I recall it was a name your grandmother had and you were going back to live in America where it is more common. The other twin was given a lovely Feminine name. If you have recorded it on her birth certificate it is really too late. She will be stuck with it.

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

And she might just like having a name which is not the same as half the other children at school. I've said this in the past but I find people in the UK have such conservative views on names. No-one here would think Quinn an unusual name for either a girl or a boy.

Quinn is great name, not unusual at all! But it's a traditional male name. And many people expect to meet a boy/man.

I happen to only know boys named Quinn, either as a stand-alone name or as a nickname for Quentin.

So the op needs to be aware of this perception of her DD's name. Especially as her other DD has a very feminine name.

And she might just like having a name which is not the same as half the other children at school.

Absolutely. And there are hundreds of beautiful girls names out there that are used only a handful of times.

I changed my sons name at four months. His original name rhymed with our surname (I ignored my thoughts and went with daddies choice who thought it was cool). If you don’t like it please change it. I don’t regret it for a moment. I would hate my son to have his original name now. I don’t mind that his original name is on the birth certificate now. It was horrific for me at the time but I can laugh about it now. I would definitely have regretted not changing it though. Good luck!

I also want to be really honest too.... I think Quinn is a boys name. I don’t like it for a girl although do for boy.

A friend of mine was super honest with me and it was what I needed.

(Hope that is ok x)

I don't think Quinn is a boys name. I like it.

Honestly do it, I changed my babies name at 6 weeks (it’s now her middle name) and I forget myself sometimes that she ever had a different name!

My parents changed my sister’s name within the first year and it’s caused a lifetime of hassle in terms of official documents. It’s a great name!

My parents changed my sister’s name within the first year and it’s caused a lifetime of hassle in terms of official documents

I thought it was very straightforward within the first year? What problems did your sister encounter?

There's a down to earth New Zealand mum I follow called Brooke Iseppi and she has a 1yo Quinn. Its a lovely name but if you're having these doubts I say there's no shame in changing it to a name you prefer (if there is one?). You just want to try to avoid changing it then regretting changing it. If there's a name you undoubtedly prefer then go for it.

*she has a 1yob little girl called Quinn.

I also know a girl around age 10 called Quinn.

We have encountered no problems changing our sons name. The original name is still on the certificate and the changed name is also. He has his passport for ID. I doubt we will ever need to use his birth certificate unless opening a bank account?!?

Interestingly if your not married then you do then get married the birth certificate is reissued to state the child is of married parents. The original name is then not included on the new certificate so unless you refer to the old one you would never know the name has been changed. We are not married but when we are we will do this then. The registry office is very helpful if you give them a call. The lady told me that changing a first name is far more common than you would imagine.

I hope the OP is not too stressed out about things. I know I was and you really don’t need to be. Enjoy your lovely new baby.

You don't need a birth certificate to open a bank account, only a passport!

It was over 50 years ago and she’s had issues with dvla and passports. Maybe the rules were different then

@Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow

is quinn's sister's name Audrey?

I was thinking that!

Sometimes different types of name work well in sibsets. And it doesn't matter if people think she's a boy- she's 12 weeks old. By the time she's old enough to know what people are saying they'll be able to tell she's a girl anyway.

If she suits Quinn and you like the name then just stick with it. And I say that as someone who really doesn't like the name Quinn!