Delayed name regret - help!

[Bluebell01]

I’ve started recently obsessing worrying about my DD (9) and DS (7)’s names. I feel terrible about it, but it’s been really bothering me. I think their names are both quite lovely individually, but I don’t LOVE them and I feel like I’ve done them a disservice in giving them unimaginative and dated (not ‘old fashioned cool) names. Where we live in London, I worry they stand out in a sea of Islas, Freddies, Axels, Oscars etc. So silly, but I just can’t seem to let it go. I suffer from OCD, so conscious I’m obsessing out of proportion. They’re James (he’s become Jimmy) and Louisa (Lou). Tips to let it go, or some cruel to be kind advice?! x

They’re both good solid classic names with nothing to worry about!

I also have a James - I call him J but he’s never complained about his name & is glad I didn’t go with the way out there name I thought I wanted 🙈

James is one of my favourite names and Louisa is beautiful!

You can definitely cross this off your list of things to worry about OP. Timeless and elegant names. Jimmy and Lou is lovely!

Before I got halfway down your post I wondered if you had ocd. This isn’t about their names, it’s about your anxiety. Remember, ocd is called the ‘doubting disease’ and it’s making you doubt your decision making and it’s becoming obsessive. You have to keep saying to yourself ‘this is just my anxiety, their names are lovely which is why I chose them at the time.’

Those are lovely names and in no way ‘sore thumb’, not in any area of London I know.

This has to be ‘not really about the names’ but I have no experience or advice in that area.

But really, the names are lovely. And it seems a shame for your mind to be on a non stop roundabout of worry about them.

Ah bless your heart OP, this is absolutely your OCD anxiety in action. Your mind is playing a mean trick on you, making you fixate on this. You know it's the anxiety doing this to you, you just haven't quite accepted that yet, but once you do I'm sure you'll feel relief.

They are gorgeous names, they really are. I feel sure that this feeling you're having will pass.

Your children will thank you for giving them lovely classic names that everyone can spell and pronounce.

What beautiful names your children have - you’ve definitely done them proud with the names you chose!

You've picked fabulous names OP, stop worrying!

James is a strong, timeless, confidently masculine name. Louisa is also timeless, strong and yet feminine.

As PPs have said, nothing is more unoriginal than choosing "out there" names in an effort to be, well, out there.

I absolutely love the name James. It gives so many options depending on the type of person they are. It’s really great.

And Louisa I have no real opinion on. Which is probably a good thing.

@Bluebell01 Really don't worry. James and Louisa are great names (not keen on Jim/Jimmy though). James is one of the all time great boy names in my opinion.

Exactly this!

James is the best boys name ever. Fact.

You’re being very silly.

James is a great, sturdy name. Louisa makes me think of the plant, lovely.

Those are perfectly lovely names. They’re not old fashioned and they’re also not faddy/trendy/cringey like so many names nowadays. Honestly I’d much rather name children those names than any of the others you listed.

Honestly, thanks so much everyone. I’ve been beating myself up so much about having saddled them with dated names! Really appreciate your kind words ❤️

@Bluebell01 , both names are lovely. They'll still be lovely in 20 or 30 years' time when the names that are trendy now will seem dated and boring.

I have a James, mostly just James but sometimes Jim Jiminal Minds or Smooth Jiminal Great name choices!!

I have a Louisa and if I’d had a boy, he would’ve been James! I think they are perfect names and a lovely sibset

James and Louisa are two of my favourite names! Beautiful and classic and so much nicer than Freddie, Isla, Archie etc!

They are great names. And if they aren't happy with them, they can change their names or adopt nicknames when they are older. Loads of people do.
The issue is not their names but your OCD and anxiety. Getting help to minimise their impact on your daily life is what matters, not their lovely, classic names.

Those are two excellent names. Seriously.

And I bet they suit your lovely children perfectly.

Both great names that will work well throughout their lives.