Switching names

[OctaviaRedQueen]

DD2 is 9 months old and as she’s grown into a little person, we feel like her middle name actually suits her more than her first.

Shall we just switch unofficially or do you think we should change the birth cert over?

I do know a few people that go by their middle names but as she’s under a year I wondered if it would save admin trouble for her when she’s older if it was officially switched.

I'd switch is officially for the reason you mention.

Do it officially.

I wouldn't bother doing it officially, I'm known by both my names, it's not a problem.

Yeah- I agree. Do it officially. My brother changed his full name in his early 20's after being called that name unofficially his whole life. He said he felt relieved.

Depends on the name and how it sounds with the surname, and if you think she'll be ok with people calling her by the first name if they don't know that she's known by her middle name

If it's something like Olivia Rose Smith I'd be tempted to swap them around. I know a few people known by the middle name and they tend to get addressed as Olivia R. Smith

I would do it now if you prefer it. It’s better to do it now officially before she is old enough to start school.

Yeah go for it officially. She’s only just realised her hand is attached to her body, she’ll have to recollection of any of it.

As someone who has lived with an unofficial name, nickname most of my life I would say 100% go official. Your girl could encounter issues later with professional documents and or visas later on if the name she uses is not 'official'.

Great, thanks everyone. I think that’s decision made!

One way it can cause problems is if someone gets the name wrong when booking flights - the name needs to be the one on the passport

Aslong as she knows to write official name on paper work it doesn't make much difference. I know a few people who are known by their middle names my sis 1 one off them she's never had any issue. Even on school form it asks for name then asks if child is known to use a different name. I once did get confused tho when sitting in gp surgery with sister and her official name was called and she got up haha