Changing babies first name

[GingeGee]

Hi!

I'm wanting to hear people's experiences after changing a babies first name officially?

Was it something you was glad you did or was there a small part of you that regretted changing it in the end?

I'm looking to change my 4 month old daughters and it'd be nice to hear some other people's stories or if you know of someone who has. Honestly the more detailed the better haha!

I'm worrying about things that I'm not even sure will be a big deal or problem, but they just feel huge at the moment.

I'm a overthinker at the best of times and with it being something so important and official, any stories would be appreciated.

You can only change it once.

I changed my DC name at 5 months. Had been worrying about it since they were about 6 weeks old. On reflection I think there was probably a bit of PND at play - lockdown baby so found it pretty hard and lonely at times. Wasn't a dramatic change (changed to formal/longer form of existing name) so now they go by either. Very straightforward process, but just to mention that new BC shows both names. Also I was worried about people's reactions but honestly no-one really batted an eyelid. If you don't like your DC's name or don't think it suits them etc and there's another name which you're sure works better then go for it. Best of luck with whatever you decide

There are lots of threads on changing a baby's name before the baby is12 months old, and you can search on how to do it. The birth certificate will show the old name and the new one.

I'd get this thread deleted and start a new one with something like 'Baby Name Regret - Darcie or Freya? ' (substitute names as appropriate), and you'll probably get more responses.

IRL I only know of one such baby and that was a spelling correction. Not the actual name but something like Dhalia changed to Dahlia. Parents regret that BC shows the original error.

Sorry I'm not much help.

I already understand the process of changing it and I've looked through all the threads but I haven't seen many stories of life after changing it.

Also I've thought about this since she was 6 weeks old and it's the very reason I haven't rushed to change it as I know there's no going back.

Theres a hell of a lot of back story for my reasons to change, but the brief version is I was really unwell once I'd had my daughter and had to be readmitted when she was less than 2 weeks old due to sepsis from the birth and I wasn't discharged until she was just over a month old, which at that point we had to hit the deadline of registering her name which ended up being called and registered what my partner wanted to call her, rather than the name we originally planned and I went along with it because of all of this. I can't have anymore children either so it's not like the name I wanted can be used again, but like I said my main curiosity is how things are after the change. Things like family/friends reactions? Does the birth certificate showing her new name on the bottom left corner instead of up top and centre really matter? Did you feel better once changed? I've even thought of the little things such as do you always fill in the 'we're you known as a previous name' in forms for them till they can do it for themselves or do you not bother fill it in at all with them being so young?

I've thought about the PND possibility as well with everything that happened, but I'm genuinely not sure it's that. I've seeked help regardless and have had therapy sessions and yet I'm still unable to call her name and when I have to I just feel urgh about it.

Also sorry to hear about what you went through @hearmywomanlyroar it can't have been nice, especially during covid.

I don’t know where you are but if you’re in a Scotland then the old name won’t be on the new birth certificate as she’s under 12 months.

Don't hold back on changing it because of other people's reactions. Most people won't really care, or will think about it for a very short space of time before moving on with their lives. Baby names are like weddings - they matter hugely to the couple but not so much to everyone else.

The only people who would have known my original birth name, had it been changed, by the time I was in INFANT school would have been my family. No one from nursery went to my school. I expect most people in her life wouldn't know she'd ever changed it.

I've looked through all the threads but I haven't seen many stories of life after changing it.

As a general rule, people don't start threads unless they have a problem or dilemma. People don't come back to post about "life afterwards" because there's nothing to say - it's fine, done, they've moved forward.

The lack of threads answers your question.

Personally I think you're massively overthinking it and changing it sounds like the right thing in the circumstances.

As for the "previous names" thing on forms, I wasn't aware that applied to names shown on your birth certificate, but to people using a different name to their birth certificate where they would have a separate piece of paper (marriage certificate, deed poll, etc) to show the current name.

So your partner bulldozed you into agreeing to the name he liked rather than the one you'd planned when you were recovering from being unwell? Definitely change it in those circumstances! It also sounds like you've got another name that you're sure about, rather than just a vague sense that the current name isn't quite right. I think if you don't do it you'll always think what if and maybe feel a bit resentful to your partner. If you change it it'll give you a fresh start.

I thought "previously known as" meant maiden names so haven't ever written my DC's previous name on forms...

Change it. You won't have to tell people, and stuff what people think, apart from us on here, of course.

The birth certificate will show the old name and the new one.

Even if changed before 12 months?

I was right! Neither name is my style but you were steamrollered into a decision, so have a long hard think about it and change it when you are sure

pinklavenders · Today 14:49
The birth certificate will show the old name and the new one.
Even if changed before 12 months?

Yes.

In England anyway

I did this, my child is now 12 and I’ve never regretted it for a second. It felt like the right name for him and people completely understood. I kept the original name as an added middle name because it was part of him for a while. Good luck!

I too have done this, very similar to Another person on this thread but the other way round. We registered our daughter the longer formal name however the shorten we called her and literally from the moment we seen her wasn’t the most obvious and even some didn’t realise it came from he longer name. So at 4 months we changed it as it didn’t sit right with me. I did realise after some time that the actual reason I did what I did before was due to the strong opinions of my mother who believes the formal name should be on the bc however just felt wrong as it wasn’t ever a name we used. It is annoying having the two names on the bc but we’ve just applied for her passport and it was so easy and I’m VERY glad we made the change and did what we wanted as her mum and dad

Try calling her by the new name for 2 weeks, then you will probably know

If you still aren’t sure after a month, then I’d add the new name as a middle name, which gives her the option of adopting it later

Hi. I know this hasn’t been commented on for ages but just wondered if you changed the name?
I’m in the same situation of wanting to change my daughters name at 4 months so wondered how you found it.

Same as you :-) although we are further along the time line to do it - feel like there could be a support group of people who have done it for those who are going through the dilemma for reassurance

@HollHollyU
@Mon248

I changed my daughters name when she was 4 months old. Happy to answer any questions if you have any 😊

Thank you. I have private messaged you x

x

How many times have you ever looked at/used or even seen your own birth certificate? 😂

I don't think it matters at all if there are two names on it.

It isn't like you get it out at parties! 😂

This is a thread from 2022

Hi, I’m thinking of changing my daughter’s name. She’s 3 months old. Is this very difficult to do legally? I’m based in Ireland so not sure if someone can help on this. I’m quite worried and very regretful about our original name choice as it’s too long. TIA