Name as identity

[Cowboyowl]

Hello,

I just saw a thread that was deleted which related to changing a child’s name. I know there’s always lots of threads around name regret, anxiety and the discussion on whether a name should be changed.

Obviously people felt the child in question was too old and would identify with their name already. So I was wondering at what age you felt your child started to identify with their name?

DD is 14 months and will answer to her name, but also to any pet name or expression said in a happy tone/tone to get her attention so was interested to see when people felt their baby had a sense of identity.

I’ve experienced baby name regret myself and anguished over it for a long time, hence my interest 🙂

Maybe around 2, when they can speak and answer the question 'what is your name'?

I'm sure if the parents decide to change the name of their child later on they can gently introduce and integrate it in his life. However it's the taking the step of changing it- including peoples judgment and feeling being stupid that would stop me or I think many others

I'm one of these who has a very very unusual name and so does my DD.
Probably would get slated on here. I think a name is a strong part of identity, family and child identify. I think children can grow into unusual names and don't buy into the hype around not getting jobs/being bullied etc. Bullies target vulnerability and if a name isn't perceived as that then generally kids do fine.

My DD 2yrs old is starting to understand her name more, she now understands the concept of 'me' meaning her not me iyswim.

It was exactly this that caused me so much anguish for so long. The fear or judgement from others.

In hindsight that was silly and I wish I wasn’t so concerned with what other people felt and thought. But I am who I am! Ha.

Certainly by 2, so to be on the safe side I’d say 18 months. So if you’re going to do it, do it now.

I know someone who changed her daughter's name when she was 7. I can't even remember now what her original name was - we all just got used to the new name