Baby name regret, 6 month old daughter

[Banderz]

My daughter's name is Eloise
I loved it when I was pregnant and when she was born, but I did start to have some doubts after she was born

Now she is 6 months old. For a while I have secretly not loved the name and have to keep trying to convince myself I do. I don't really like saying it out loud and I don't love introducing her name. My mum was never a fan and just kept calling her baby until I asked her a couple of times to use her name, at which she replied, I'm tired and it's a long name.

Another thing is that I felt that Eloise was too similar to Louie, the name of our dog - but was reassured that it wasn't. But now even after all this time, I still think it is just a bit too similar.

I could use the nickname Ella as I love the name but I'm not even sure if that is a legitimate nickname for Eloise? I don't like any of the other nicknames. The main issue is that my husband refuses to use nicknames so if just I was to use Ella, surely it would be confusing for both her and others.

I have come to like the name Elodie alot and feel that it suits her. I am wondering whether because it isn't too different to Eloise, it wouldn't be that huge to change it to this? Though I know changing her name is honestly a bit embarrassing. The thought of having to explain to everyone...

She does have two middle names which are options but my husband doesn't love one of them, it was an honour name in memory of my Dad. Then the other middle name is a Hindu name in honour of my husband's Hindu heritage. She has a Hindu surname so having a full Hindu name wouldn't reflect her mixed heritage. I also don't think it feels right for her as a first name now I know her personality.

Any advice? It feels like a bit of a pickle!

Eloise is a beautiful name and so is Elodie. If you want to change it, then go ahead and don’t worry about “explaining everything” - just say you’ve decided to change her name as it suits her more and then that’s that. Congrats on your little girl 💕.
Edit to add - to me the names are similar too so people may not even comment that the names changed or mention it!

How do you feel about using Elie? It feels more of a natural nickname to Eloise than Ella.

I like Eloise, but she's not my baby.

I love Elodie, but it's not without its issues. One friends's little girl gets called dodo and the other one is frequently mistaken for melody..

what does DH think of changing her name?

It really would not matter if he keeps calling her Eloise and you call her Ella/Ellie she'll soon get used to both. How does he feel about everyone else calling her Ella Ellie?

The main issue, I can see you might have With DH not agreeing to actually call her a nickname is what name would you use for nursery or school? Would he let her choose by the time she goes to school?

don't let embarrassment stop you changing her name other people don't have to live with every day and beyond maybe an eye roll probably won't even think about it again, don't let them influence your decision.

I love both Eloise and Elodie, and as long as your DH is also on board change it
They sound similar so it’s possible some might not even notice, or think they misheard Eloise

It's not too late to change it. Better to change it now rather than after a year when it's a lot more faff.
We changed one of our's at 8 months. Just in case you didn't know, you don't get a completely new birth certificate, her birth certificate will still say Eloise in the name section, then there's an extra box at the bottom for amendments that will say Eloise. We didn't realise and I imagine it might be a bit confusing if they need it at any point to prove their id!

My dad refused to use my nickname. So dad would call me full name and mum my nickname.

Everyone knows me by my nickname now.

Both are nice names.
If your husband also likes Elodie you need to make a choice of what suits your child and one that sounds great with her surname.

Either Ella or Ellie are perfectly acceptable nicknames for Eloise. Also it’s nobody else’s business what you call your child and they should not comment.

Eloise is so much nicer than Elodie. Elodie is very trendy right now and sounds quite frumpy to my ears, compared to the classy Eloise. Each Elodie I know of has inevitably become Ellie anyway, which is quite dull.

I voted for keep Eloise but you definitely can use Ella as a nickname if you want. It works, and will not be confusing if you use Ella most of the time and her Dad says Eloise (certainly no more confusing than changing her name to Elodie will be).

I have a feeling her full name will grow on you. I love Eloise but have always thought it sounds quite formal/grown up for a baby, which may be why you're struggling with it? But babies don't stay babies for long. You picked it for a reason, and I'm sure she'll grow into it to remind you why very soon.

I prefer Eloise, it’s a lovely name and not too long. I’d just use Ella personally. Your DH may start using it, but doesn’t matter if he just uses Eloise. Your mum may get on better with Ella too, though Eloise isn’t a long name.

I admit I don’t like either of those names so I would use Ella. A nickname doesn’t have to be ‘legitimate’ you can use whatever name you like.

Eloise by the Damned is such a great song. I'd be very happy with the name Eloise

I think Eloise is lovely. Do you like Elle?

Don't change Eloise to Elodie - Eloise is a lovely, timeless name, whereas Elodie is nice enough but very much a fashionable at the moment name.

LOVE the name Eloise. It’s beautiful and classy OP. Don’t change it x

she could shorten it to Ella or Lois or Lou if she likes. Fabulous name!

Elodie is terrible.

Keep the name Eloise, and use Ella as a nickname if you want to (even if your husband doesn't use the nickname and still uses the full name, that's fine).

Eloise is much nicer than Elodie.

This

I think its really beautiful and classic , it has a lovely sound.
I don't like Elodie at all i think it's a currently 'trendy' name that will date.

Eloise is a lovely name. I know people who have changed their babies name and everyone dis get used to it very quickly but I also think unless you feel very strongly about it you might end up second guessing in years to come whether yo made the right choice. I don't think it sounds much like the dogs name. I do know of people where parents/siblings differ in use of nickname Vs full name and it doesn't seem to matter, so I think you could use Ella/El as a nickname even if your husband generally says Eloise. I would also say I was quite uncertain for a while about one of my DCs names but they've grown into it and now they say it themselves, it feels much better. And I think Eloise is a nice name, no bad connotations, well known enough that people will generally know what it is but not overdone etc, and I'm sure she will grow to love it.

Absolutely love Eloise OP and still umming and ahung about using it with the nickname Loulou (French heritage) when our DD arrives any day now!

I felt exactly the same about my first daughter’s name which isn’t really a newborn name either but I get loads of compliments now and love it too.

I’d stick with it. Gorgeous.

Ahhing **

I really think Elodie is going to date too btw…

Ella is an absolutely fine name for Eloise and your husband should have realised that Eloise is a name that will be shortened. She could be Ella, Elle, ellie, Lou etc. Lots and lots of children have nicknames that are only used by certain people so I wouldn't worry about you only using a nickname.

Elodie is also lovely but I suspect your mum will have just as many comments about that. Ignore her and enjoy your lovely girl with her lovely name.