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!

I love Eloise, wanted it for my dd but didn’t work with other dc’s name (too close). I think it’s beautiful, I also loved Elodie. No one can really tell you what to do, both names are beautiful. I think it’s fine for you to use a nickname and not dh.

Ella is a perfectly fine nn for Eloise, if you are worrying about that then it does sound like you are in an anxiety/overthinking type stage at that moment

I personally like Eloise better than Elodie - Eloise is elegant and has a good cultural history (Eloise and Abelade - I think she’s the first character in literature with a real inner life). Elodie went from nowhere to popular and names like that always date badly, but it’s pretty enough

I think Ellie is a more natural nickname for Eloise.

.. I know an Eloise nn Lola, if that helps

Keep it but shorten to Elle? To be honest, it’s sounds to me like your Mum possibly put you off it a bit early doors and it’s impacted how you see the name? It’s lovely!

That makes no sense. Either is fine.

Eloise is a lovely name, OP. Only you and your DH know whether it is the one for your DD. But I don't think you should have any doubts about the name itself.

What i would add though is that there are lots of cases where regrets about certain names and changing baby's name can be linked to PND. Not saying this is the case for you, but if you think there is a chance it could be, worth having a chat with your GP / HV first and seeing if you can get some support before you change baby's name.

I think your mother's very rude behaviour is influencing how you feel, that's just plain cruel.

I think it's because Ella feels like a full name in its own right, and a completely different name to Eloise, whereas Ellie is generally a diminutive of various El- names like Eleanor, Eloise, I've even seen Elizabeth shortened to Ellie.

I wouldn't think anything of someone shortening Eloise to Ellie, but Eloise to Ella just feels more like a complete change of name. I don't know why.

Eloise is a beautiful name, and i think you'd be mad to change it.

Elle/Ella/Ellie/Lou all seem natural shortenings to me. I've a name that my mum shortened, my dad didn't - and throughout life some people do, some people don't. It's never been confusing. I actually like having a flexible name.

FWIW I think Eloise is a much more timeless, classic name than Elodie (which is also pretty but feels more trendy).

I love Eloise. Beautiful name, has your mum being a bit silly has affected you a bit? I’d probably stick with her name increase you feel the same about Elodie soon. Just use a nickname and your husband her make and hopefully with time you’ll love her name again.

I also prefer Eloise to Elodie, but they're both perfectly nice names so I think you'd be fine to change Eloise. Personally if I had a baby called either of those, I'd be tempted to call them "Lu-lu" as a nickname which would work fine for either.

In terms of similar names, I prefer Eliza, Louisa and Eleanor, but it's not really up to me (or MN) what we like best, it's up to you.

And there's nothing wrong with Eloise or Elodie.

Eloise is a lovely name. i think you’re only doubting it because of your mother’s reaction. Stick with it and ask your mum to be respectful.

Our last name rhymes with Lola 😅

@Banderz , you could change it, but please don't change it to Ella or Elodie.
Ella is fine as a shortening of Eloise, but Elodie is it 'meh'.

Ignore your mother. She's rude and lazy.

Elodie.... Melody?, No Elodie....every other day

Eloise is sophisticated, and can be shortened so many ways Elle, Ella, Ellie Louise, Lulu, or even ''EEzy'' if you chose.

Please dont change it

Eloise is a very lovely name, as is Elodie and they are extremely similar.

I found your post quite stressful and anxiety ridden to read, I would change the name to Elodie in the hope it would relieve some of your stress and you can concentrate on enjoying this adorable stage with your baby rather than be anxious about the name.

I think changing to Elodie would work out well.

If your surname rhymes with Lola, then the nn Ella might make her name too sing-songy. Ella Nola or Ella Stola (just making surnames up haha). And if it's Bola, then her initials are E. Bola.

We had a E. Bola at work for a while. That was how her company email address read…

Love Eloise.
I think it's a good idea to have a nickname for your baby when you get tired of saying the full name. I certainly do that with mine.
Everyone I know has trouble choosing a name. It's normal to have doubts still, and common.
You've done it, now try to focus on what is ahead and now, is my advice.

Elodie was my top girl name! But my other half didn’t like it so we went with Raine - pronounced “Rain” and we only picked it on the day she was registered but everyday I think I’m not sure and have doubts.

Eloise and Elodie are very similar so I don’t think changing it would be a problem.

Choosing a name is the most difficult thing isn’t it.