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Original poster

Baby name regret - any positive stories?

86 replies

Belen82 · 12/02/2025 18:18

I have just been through a tumultuous name choosing process with my husband - stressful and emotionally charged. We had a beautiful, in my mind perfect boy name lined up before pregnancy that matched with my eldest sons name.

i had a wobble early pregnancy thinking the name was too common (top 5) and convinced my husband to consider the middle name as the first. He was convinced, but overtime when I thought about it practically the middle name wasn’t a good fit (uncommon though not unusual, long - three syllables, inevitable nicknames, can be perceived as foreign). I like short punchy names and don’t like nicknames.

However husband would not switch back - decided how that we had thought about it, he doesn’t actually like original first name.

Lots of fighting, tears and stress and we ended up going with the name that was orginally middle name. I loved it for about 10 days, felt good about it, compliments came pouring in. And then almost overnight, I feel sick with regret about it. I find it awkward using such a long name when my son is a 1 syllable name. I don’t like hearing people say it, I cringe a bit when I say it. And I can’t shake the overwhelming feeling we’ve done the wrong thing for our child - giving an unusual, fiddly name rather than a common, short snappy name.

Has anyone felt this level of regret and then gone on to love DC name? Did anyone start with the name feeling wrong but now wouldn’t have it any other way? It’s consuming me…

OP posts:
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LadysMantle · 25/02/2025 12:43

Belen82 · 24/02/2025 09:38

Thanks ladies, for the encouragement and support.

I am just so concerned / anxious about him being bullied for his name because it’s unusual, or ninja turtle references, or for the angel association. Hence often wishing I’d gone for a plain Jane , ‘safer’ name. It’s keeping me up at night.

Does Raphael strike you as a name that could potentially be picked on?

Kindly, OP, the best thing you can do for your baby is to give him a mother who’s not operating at this level of anxiety about a trifle.

I know boys called Ferdinand, Valentine, Buzz, Phineas, Percy, and Florence (yes, Florence for a boy used to be traditional where I’m from, though most of them are now in late middle age or older). My own DS has an unusual name. Raphael is in no way ‘out there’.

Original poster
Belen82 · 10/03/2025 09:08

Thank you so much again everyone for your support, very reassuring to hear positive views on the name! Trying to embrace it though I must say, I’ve had several ‘what made you chose that?’ ‘What was the inspiration for that choice?’ Which I did not get once with my first son …

I personally have heard unusual names, and names that I (quietly) am not a fan of, but have never asked anyone this question, not sure how to interpret this? Anyone with DC with unusual (or common) name get this? Or does anyone ask this question to people and can shed light? !

OP posts:
Marmiteontoastgirlie · 10/03/2025 09:20

Belen82 · 10/03/2025 09:08

Thank you so much again everyone for your support, very reassuring to hear positive views on the name! Trying to embrace it though I must say, I’ve had several ‘what made you chose that?’ ‘What was the inspiration for that choice?’ Which I did not get once with my first son …

I personally have heard unusual names, and names that I (quietly) am not a fan of, but have never asked anyone this question, not sure how to interpret this? Anyone with DC with unusual (or common) name get this? Or does anyone ask this question to people and can shed light? !

I’ve had a few people ask this and we have chosen the most bog standard name! I just said we saw it in a baby name book. I think it’s just making conversation incase it’s a family name or something?

mismomary · 10/03/2025 09:27

I honestly think you made the right choice. Gorgeous names.

changedusernameforthis1 · 10/03/2025 09:54

Not exactly, but still found a way around it.
DD was given a name we thought was lovely at the time. However some people said it was a "mean girl" name and one particular person said she'd be called a slapper or worse once she was older.
We started to really dislike it when she was about 6 months old, so we played around with it and made a nickname from it.
It's cute, pretty and most of all - she loves it herself (she's now 6). She wants to change it on legal documents but we're waiting for her to be older to make that decision, but for now everyone knows her as her nickname and it's what she's called by school and her GP.

Umbrellah · 11/03/2025 23:26

Marmiteontoastgirlie · 10/03/2025 09:20

I’ve had a few people ask this and we have chosen the most bog standard name! I just said we saw it in a baby name book. I think it’s just making conversation incase it’s a family name or something?

Show quote history

I couldn’t agree more with this! I think it’s just people making small talk/polite conversation.

fourelementary · 11/03/2025 23:31

I had regrets for around 3/4 months and only really called DS2 “baba” or “the baby” as I didn’t like saying his name.
He’s now 10 and says he’d have hated the name I loved and prefers his own name… and suits it too.

FWIW I don’t really like Leo as it’s just a bit plain and no variation…or nickname (plus the Leo I know is a stroppy wee twat). Raphael is far better and can be shortened to Raph, Rapha etc and is cool!!!

Itsoneofthose · 25/03/2025 21:50

Belen82 · 12/02/2025 18:18

I have just been through a tumultuous name choosing process with my husband - stressful and emotionally charged. We had a beautiful, in my mind perfect boy name lined up before pregnancy that matched with my eldest sons name.

i had a wobble early pregnancy thinking the name was too common (top 5) and convinced my husband to consider the middle name as the first. He was convinced, but overtime when I thought about it practically the middle name wasn’t a good fit (uncommon though not unusual, long - three syllables, inevitable nicknames, can be perceived as foreign). I like short punchy names and don’t like nicknames.

However husband would not switch back - decided how that we had thought about it, he doesn’t actually like original first name.

Lots of fighting, tears and stress and we ended up going with the name that was orginally middle name. I loved it for about 10 days, felt good about it, compliments came pouring in. And then almost overnight, I feel sick with regret about it. I find it awkward using such a long name when my son is a 1 syllable name. I don’t like hearing people say it, I cringe a bit when I say it. And I can’t shake the overwhelming feeling we’ve done the wrong thing for our child - giving an unusual, fiddly name rather than a common, short snappy name.

Has anyone felt this level of regret and then gone on to love DC name? Did anyone start with the name feeling wrong but now wouldn’t have it any other way? It’s consuming me…

Would be so interested to hear how you’re feeling now OP? I’ve had such an ordeal. Changed son’s name at 4 month. Still not 100%. So badly need these positive stories. urgh.

Original poster
Belen82 · 26/03/2025 02:40

@Itsoneofthose - I’ll send you a PM

OP posts:
user1492757084 · 26/03/2025 06:33

Max and Raphael are great for brothers.

Leo is a handsome name too.
Your son has lucked out with his names.

Itsoneofthose · 26/03/2025 21:03

@changedusernameforthis1 love what you did here! Would love to know the name/nickname. Also, was it easy enough to change at Gp?

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