Change of name

[Itsoneofthose]

Sorry I wrote this in another thread.I'm new here but here it goes.
My baby is nearly 6 months old and I have had a change of heart about her name. I've lost all certainty an confidence in myself recently for a number of reasons, but wonder if it's too late to change the name. The names are different from each other but nothing too 'out there'. It will be awkward won't it? What do you think? Be as brutally honest as you like. She's 6 months old. Thanks

It won't be awkward for baby. Do you mean telling others? I guess it might cause some confusion at first but people will get used to the new name. Do you feel brave enough to tell us both names?

@Itsoneofthose , there have been many threads like yours. Changing a name before a child is 12 months old is fairly straightforward - you get the birth certificate changed.

In terms of it being awkward, other than one day needing to explain to Olivia Grace why she has Ava Rose crossed out on her BC, and needing to let friends and family know, then, no it shouldn't be. You could announce it on social media or just tell people.

How are you generally? I'll try to find a thread with more info.

KirstenBlest · 03/04/2024 12:12

If the baby is less than 12 months old you can get the birth certificate changed. There are many threads discussing it.
Name Change - Before 12 Months Old | Mumsnet
Changing baby middle name | Mumsnet
Regret not putting maiden name is middle name | Mumsnet
etc
IRL the 'have you ever been known by another name?' question doesn't come up very often, and if the BC has been changed (e.g. Pheobe corrected to Phoebe) I don't think you'd need to declare it.

Some more useful links:
Correct a birth registration: What corrections can be made - GOV.UK
Changing your name - National Records of Scotland (NRS)
Worried about what people will think if I change baby's name | Mumsnet
I don't think my pp was much use.

I think at 6 months it's a non issue changing it. X

I think I've lost all certainty an confidence in myself recently for a number of reasons, is really the issue.
If you are fixating on the name, have a chat with your healthcare professional,or just have a chat with them anyway to rule out or identify any post-partum or general health issues.

Otherwise, decide on a new name, get it changed (if the father is on the BC, you'll need his approval) and tell people. They'll get used to it quickly.
A few will complain or forget, but she'll be the new name a lot longer than the old name.

Good luck.

I've lost all certainty an confidence in myself recently for a number of reasons

I think this is the crux of the issue. Changing the name won’t fix how you feel about yourself.

Is it really about the name OP?

What do you mean?x

There are lots of threads on here where people have changed a babies name. IRL I've never come across it.
The baby won't know atm.
Obviously will need to tell them when they are older.
Family and friends reactions may vary but it will blow over quickly.
You have to do what's right for you.
I think if you've lost all confidence and have low mood/struggling atm it will effect how you feel about the name and your decision.
Adjusting to motherhood is hard.
Just I guess PP is saying is this just about the name or a wider issue?
Why have you changed your mind about the name?
Is original name unusual? Awkward spelling/pronunciation /has awkward connotations /initials that spell something out /talked out of not choosing your favourite name?
Or is it simply changing Emily to Amelia etc because you've changed your mind?
I have 4 DC my short list of names changed for each pregnancy and I think that's very common! We all like different names at different times but we usually still really like the names we choose and it quickly feels like the child's name.
Have you spoken to anyone IRL about it.
To answer your question, if someone told me this IRL I would think it odd/unusual but then would quickly adjust.
Good luck

Thanks for this. I do experience low mood etc but not related to the baby. The chosen name just doesn't seem to sound right when my family say it, and I sometimes think they avoid saying it? I've never come across it in real life either but have been bolstered by the amount of people who feel the same and have changed it. My partner likes the original name and doesn't like any others. I think I'll give it some more thought- ring the registry to see if it's even possible, and make a deadline to decide either way.

But knowing that you can might help.

You definitely can change a baby's name, fairly easily if the baby is under 12 months old. You can only change it once though, and the child's father, if on the BC, must agree.

What is the name, if I may ask?

Most likely it is still lovely and the right choice.
It is easy to change before the baby is one.

Is the name over frilly?
Do the initials make an inappropriate word?
Does the name sound terrible with surname?
Is the spelling incorrect?
Is it a personal, invented name?
Is the name too old fashioned?
Difficult to spell or say?
The same name as a grave criminal?

I felt like this OP, but now at 7.5 months I am at peace with his name. I think in hindsight I was miserable and worried about him and struggling to connect and put it on to his name.

I think this is such a common thought OP. And I think people do generally avoid calling babies their adult names because no baby suits their name to start with. They all just look like babies!

To shift focus from the name decision could you imagine that they arrived with that name assigned and so you just accept it. I wonder if it's the decision making part that's throwing you if you are having a confidence issue.

You chose the original name with love and I can almost guarantee that it will be a really beautiful name that your baby will grow into. Perhaps just park the question for now entirely and revisit it in 3 months and see how differently you feel.

Over worry about names can be a sign of Ptsd, although of course won't be in every case. Are you getting out much and do you have any mum friends?

No ptsd I meant post natal depression sorry.

My BIL was cross with us when we were still calling DN 'the baby'. DN was unnamed for weeks, until a name that they thought would work was suggested.

DN soon grew into the name.

Neighbour's baby was still called 'the baby' until a toddler.